Outlook.com vs IONOS Mail
In short: IONOS Mail wins on privacy, Outlook.com wins on price, and Outlook.com wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 22 October 2026.
Outlook.com or IONOS Mail: which should you choose?
- Outlook.com suits you best if you want email without paying for it; a free plan before you pay anything; and more space for your mail: 15 GB.
- Go for IONOS Mail if you'd like your mailbox stored in the UK data centre in Worcester; where email sits not confirmed; a provider with no advertising business behind it; and to use your own domain, like you@yourname.co.uk.
| Feature | Outlook.com | IONOS Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 3.0 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 2.5 |
| Price | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Features | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space) Free | Mail Basic About £1–£2 a month (not confirmed) |
| Free plan | Yes, 15 GB | No |
| Storage | 15 GB | 2 GB |
| Your own domain | No | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | United States | Germany |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | UK data centre in Worcester; where email sits not confirmed |
| Founded | 1996 | 1988 |
| Free trial | Free | Unknown |
| 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 | No |
| Aliases | Yes | Yes |
| Open-source apps | No | No |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | Unknown |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
Where they differ
- On price: Outlook.com Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space) at Free, against IONOS Mail Mail Basic at About £1–£2 a month (not confirmed).
- Outlook.com has a free plan (15 GB); IONOS Mail has no free plan.
- Space: Outlook.com gives 15 GB of storage, IONOS Mail 2 GB of storage.
- Outlook.com keeps your mail in the United States and worldwide, while IONOS Mail keeps it in the UK data centre in Worcester; where email sits not confirmed.
- The companies sit under different laws: Outlook.com in United States, IONOS Mail in Germany.
- You can use your own domain with IONOS Mail, but not with Outlook.com.
- Outlook.com (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; IONOS Mail doesn't.
Questions people ask
Is Outlook.com more private than IONOS Mail?
IONOS Mail scores 2.5 out of 5 for privacy and Outlook.com 0. IONOS Mail gives you your mailbox stored in the UK data centre in Worcester; where email sits not confirmed and a provider with no advertising business behind it.
Is Outlook.com cheaper than IONOS Mail?
Outlook.com costs nothing to start (Free). IONOS Mail's cheapest plan, Mail Basic, is About £1–£2 a month (not confirmed).
Can I use my own domain with Outlook.com or IONOS Mail?
Only IONOS Mail does (Yes). With Outlook.com your address stays on its own domain.
Where is my email stored with Outlook.com and IONOS Mail?
Outlook.com keeps it in the United States and worldwide. IONOS Mail keeps it in the UK data centre in Worcester; where email sits not confirmed.
Prices and the latest news
Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Outlook.com news · IONOS Mail news.
Alternatives to Outlook.com and IONOS Mail
Outlook.com vs mailbox.org · IONOS Mail vs mailbox.org · Outlook.com vs Posteo · IONOS Mail vs Posteo · Outlook.com vs Proton Mail · IONOS Mail vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
Moving to Outlook.com · Moving from Outlook.com. Or see all my switching guides.