Outlook.com vs Posteo
On privacy it's Posteo. On price it's a tie. On features it's Outlook.com. Here's everything side by side, last checked 22 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Outlook.com suits you best if you want email without paying for it; to try it free first; and 15 GB of storage.
- Choose Posteo if you want your email to stay in Germany; a company that isn't funded by advertising; and extras such as PGP encryption as well as sieve filters.
| Feature | Outlook.com | Posteo |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 4.5 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 4.5 |
| Price | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Features | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space) Free | Posteo €1 a month |
| Free plan | Yes, 15 GB | No |
| Storage | 15 GB | 4 GB |
| Your own domain | No | No |
| 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 | 2009 |
| Free trial | Free | No, €1 a month from the start |
| 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 (posteo.de only) |
| 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 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
Where they differ
- Outlook.com's cheapest plan is Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space) (Free); Posteo's is Posteo (€1 a month).
- Outlook.com has a free plan (15 GB); Posteo has no free plan.
- Space: Outlook.com gives 15 GB of storage, Posteo 4 GB of storage.
- Data location: United States and worldwide for Outlook.com, Germany for Posteo.
- The companies sit under different laws: Outlook.com in United States, Posteo in Germany.
- On encryption, Outlook.com doesn't encrypt mail end to end, whereas Posteo offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage).
- Outlook.com (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; Posteo doesn't.
- Aliases: Outlook.com offers yes, Posteo yes (posteo.de only).
Common questions
Is Outlook.com more private than Posteo?
Posteo scores 4.5 out of 5 for privacy and Outlook.com 0. Posteo gives you your email to stay in Germany, a company that isn't funded by advertising and open-source apps anyone can check.
Is Outlook.com cheaper than Posteo?
Outlook.com costs nothing to start (Free). Posteo's cheapest plan, Posteo, is €1 a month.
Can I use my own domain with Outlook.com or Posteo?
No, neither lets you use your own domain, so your address stays on theirs.
Where is my email stored with Outlook.com and Posteo?
Outlook.com keeps it in the United States and worldwide. Posteo keeps it in Germany.
Price changes and news
I haven't seen either change its price since I started checking on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Outlook.com news · Posteo news.
Alternatives to Outlook.com and Posteo
Outlook.com vs mailbox.org · Posteo vs mailbox.org · Outlook.com vs Proton Mail · Posteo vs Proton Mail · Outlook.com vs Tuta · Posteo vs Tuta
Moving your email
Decided? These guides take you through moving your mail, contacts and address: Outlook.com to Posteo · Posteo to Outlook.com.