Outlook.com vs Fastmail for Business
On privacy it's Fastmail for Business. On price it's Outlook.com. On features it's Fastmail for Business. Here's everything side by side, last checked 22 October 2026.
Outlook.com or Fastmail for Business: which should you choose?
- Outlook.com is the better pick if you want email without paying for it and to try it free first.
- Go for Fastmail for Business if you'd like your mail kept in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups; a provider with no advertising business behind it; and an address on your own domain.
| Feature | Outlook.com | Fastmail for Business |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 3.0 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 2.0 |
| Price | 5.0 | 3.5 |
| Features | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space) Free | Standard $5 per user a month ($4.17 yearly) |
| Free plan | Yes, 15 GB | No |
| Storage | 15 GB | 50 GB |
| Your own domain | No | ✓ Up to 100 |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | United States | Australia |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups |
| Founded | 1996 | 1999 |
| Free trial | Free | 30 days free |
| Funded by advertising | Yes, or its parent company is | No |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Aliases | Yes | Yes |
| Open-source apps | No | No |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | None | Offer 10% off your first year, plus a free trial of up to 30 days |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
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Where they differ
- On price: Outlook.com Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space) at Free, against Fastmail for Business Standard at $5 per user a month ($4.17 yearly).
- Outlook.com has a free plan (15 GB); Fastmail for Business has no free plan.
- Space: Outlook.com gives 15 GB of storage, Fastmail for Business 50 GB of storage.
- Outlook.com keeps your mail in the United States and worldwide, while Fastmail for Business keeps it in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups.
- The companies sit under different laws: Outlook.com in United States, Fastmail for Business in Australia.
- You can use your own domain with Fastmail for Business, but not with Outlook.com.
- Outlook.com (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; Fastmail for Business doesn't.
Questions people ask
Is Outlook.com more private than Fastmail for Business?
Fastmail for Business scores 2 out of 5 for privacy and Outlook.com 0. Fastmail for Business gives you your mail kept in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups and a provider with no advertising business behind it.
Is Outlook.com cheaper than Fastmail for Business?
Outlook.com costs nothing to start (Free). Fastmail for Business's cheapest plan, Standard, is $5 per user a month ($4.17 yearly).
Can I use my own domain with Outlook.com or Fastmail for Business?
Only Fastmail for Business does (Up to 100). With Outlook.com your address stays on its own domain.
Where is my email stored with Outlook.com and Fastmail for Business?
Outlook.com keeps it in the United States and worldwide. Fastmail for Business keeps it in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups.
Price changes and news
No price changes for either since 22 October 2026. I check regularly and add any change here with its date.
The latest headlines: Outlook.com news · Fastmail for Business news.
Not sold on either? Try these
Outlook.com vs mailbox.org · Fastmail for Business vs mailbox.org · Outlook.com vs Posteo · Fastmail for Business vs Posteo · Outlook.com vs Proton Mail · Fastmail for Business vs Proton Mail
How to switch
Moving to Outlook.com · Moving from Outlook.com. Or see all my switching guides.