Outlook.com vs mailbox.org
Mailbox.org wins on privacy, Outlook.com wins on price and mailbox.org wins on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 22 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Outlook.com suits you best if you want email without paying for it; a free plan to start on; and more years of history: it started in 1996.
- Choose mailbox.org if you want your email to stay in Germany; a provider with no advertising business behind it; and an address on your own domain.
| Feature | Outlook.com | mailbox.org |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 4.5 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 4.5 |
| Price | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Features | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space) Free | Standard €3 a month, yearly (from summer 2026) |
| Free plan | Yes, 15 GB | No (30-day trial) |
| Storage | 15 GB | 20 GB |
| Your own domain | No | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) |
| Company based in | United States | Germany |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | Germany |
| Founded | 1996 | 2014 |
| 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 | ✓ Yes |
| Sign up without ID | No | ✓ Yes |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
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Where they differ
- Cheapest plans: Outlook.com Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space), Free. mailbox.org Standard, €3 a month, yearly (from summer 2026).
- Outlook.com has a free plan (15 GB); mailbox.org has no free plan.
- Space: Outlook.com gives 15 GB of storage, mailbox.org 20 GB of storage.
- Data location: United States and worldwide for Outlook.com, Germany for mailbox.org.
- The companies sit under different laws: Outlook.com in United States, mailbox.org in Germany.
- On encryption, Outlook.com doesn't encrypt mail end to end, whereas mailbox.org offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage).
- You can use your own domain with mailbox.org, but not with Outlook.com.
- Outlook.com (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; mailbox.org doesn't.
Outlook.com and mailbox.org: your questions
Is Outlook.com more private than mailbox.org?
mailbox.org scores 4.5 out of 5 for privacy and Outlook.com 0. mailbox.org gives you your email to stay in Germany, a provider with no advertising business behind it and apps whose code is public.
Is Outlook.com cheaper than mailbox.org?
Outlook.com costs nothing to start (Free). mailbox.org's cheapest plan, Standard, is €3 a month, yearly (from summer 2026).
Can I use my own domain with Outlook.com or mailbox.org?
Only mailbox.org does (Yes). With Outlook.com your address stays on its own domain.
Where is my email stored with Outlook.com and mailbox.org?
Outlook.com keeps it in the United States and worldwide. mailbox.org keeps it in Germany.
Prices and the latest news
- 1 September 2026 mailbox.org: €3.00 (announced 15 July 2026)
- 1 June 2026 mailbox.org: €2.50
The latest headlines: Outlook.com news · mailbox.org news.
Also worth a look
Outlook.com vs Posteo · mailbox.org vs Posteo · Outlook.com vs Proton Mail · mailbox.org vs Proton Mail · Outlook.com vs Tuta · mailbox.org vs Tuta
Switching between them
Switching takes an evening to set up. Follow the steps for your direction: Outlook.com to mailbox.org · mailbox.org to Outlook.com.