Outlook.com vs Kolab Now
On privacy it's Kolab Now. On price it's Outlook.com. On features it's Kolab Now. Here's everything side by side, last checked 25 October 2026.
Should you pick Outlook.com or Kolab Now?
- Choose Outlook.com if you want a mailbox that costs nothing; to try it free first; and more room (15 GB, against 5 GB).
- Go for Kolab Now if you'd like your email to stay in Switzerland; a provider with no advertising business behind it; and an address on your own domain.
| Feature | Outlook.com | Kolab Now |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 3.5 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 3.0 |
| Price | 5.0 | 3.0 |
| Features | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space) Free | Mailbox CHF 5 a month |
| Free plan | Yes, 15 GB | No |
| Storage | 15 GB | 5 GB |
| Your own domain | No | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | United States | Switzerland |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | Switzerland |
| Founded | 1996 | 2013 |
| 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 | ✓ Yes |
| Aliases | Yes | Yes |
| Open-source apps | No | ✓ Yes |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | Unknown |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
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The key differences
- Outlook.com's cheapest plan is Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space) (Free); Kolab Now's is Mailbox (CHF 5 a month).
- For free, Outlook.com gives you a free plan (15 GB), and Kolab Now no free plan.
- Outlook.com comes with 15 GB of storage and Kolab Now with 5 GB of storage.
- Data location: United States and worldwide for Outlook.com, Switzerland for Kolab Now.
- Outlook.com is based in the United States and Kolab Now in Switzerland, so different privacy laws apply.
- Kolab Now lets you bring your own domain name; Outlook.com doesn't.
- Only Outlook.com is part of an advertising business.
Questions people ask
Which is more private, Outlook.com or Kolab Now?
Kolab Now scores 3 out of 5 for privacy and Outlook.com 0. Kolab Now gives you your email to stay in Switzerland, a provider with no advertising business behind it and open-source apps anyone can check.
Which is cheaper, Outlook.com or Kolab Now?
Outlook.com costs nothing to start (Free). Kolab Now's cheapest plan, Mailbox, is CHF 5 a month.
Do Outlook.com and Kolab Now work with my own domain?
Only Kolab Now does (Yes). With Outlook.com your address stays on its own domain.
Where do Outlook.com and Kolab Now keep my email?
Outlook.com keeps it in the United States and worldwide. Kolab Now keeps it in Switzerland.
Prices and the latest news
I haven't seen either change its price since I started checking on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Outlook.com news · Kolab Now news.
Alternatives to Outlook.com and Kolab Now
Outlook.com vs mailbox.org · Kolab Now vs mailbox.org · Outlook.com vs Posteo · Kolab Now vs Posteo · Outlook.com vs Proton Mail · Kolab Now vs Proton Mail
Switching between them
Moving to Outlook.com · Moving from Outlook.com. Or see all my switching guides.