Outlook.com vs Rackspace Email
On privacy it's Rackspace Email. On price it's Outlook.com. On features it's Rackspace Email. Here's everything side by side, last checked 25 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Go for Outlook.com if you'd like a mailbox that costs nothing and a free plan before you pay anything.
- Go for Rackspace Email if you'd like a provider with no advertising business behind it; an address on your own domain; and 25 GB of storage.
| Feature | Outlook.com | Rackspace Email |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 2.0 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 0.5 |
| Price | 5.0 | 2.0 |
| Features | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space) Free | Rackspace Email $10 per mailbox a month (from March 2026) |
| Free plan | Yes, 15 GB | No |
| Storage | 15 GB | 25 GB |
| Your own domain | No | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | United States | United States |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | United States and UK |
| Founded | 1996 | 1998 |
| Free trial | Free | 14 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 | ✓ Yes |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
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How Outlook.com and Rackspace Email differ
- Outlook.com's cheapest plan is Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space) (Free); Rackspace Email's is Rackspace Email ($10 per mailbox a month (from March 2026)).
- For free, Outlook.com gives you a free plan (15 GB), and Rackspace Email no free plan.
- Outlook.com comes with 15 GB of storage and Rackspace Email with 25 GB of storage.
- Data location: United States and worldwide for Outlook.com, United States and UK for Rackspace Email.
- Rackspace Email 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 Rackspace Email?
Rackspace Email scores 0.5 out of 5 for privacy and Outlook.com 0. Rackspace Email gives you a provider with no advertising business behind it.
Which is cheaper, Outlook.com or Rackspace Email?
Outlook.com costs nothing to start (Free). Rackspace Email's cheapest plan, Rackspace Email, is $10 per mailbox a month (from March 2026).
Do Outlook.com and Rackspace Email work with my own domain?
Only Rackspace Email does (Yes). With Outlook.com your address stays on its own domain.
Where do Outlook.com and Rackspace Email keep my email?
Outlook.com keeps it in the United States and worldwide. Rackspace Email keeps it in the United States and UK.
Prices and the latest news
- 1 March 2026 Rackspace Email: $10 (March 2026 rise)
- 1 January 2026 Rackspace Email: $3
The latest headlines: Outlook.com news · Rackspace Email news.
Not sold on either? Try these
Outlook.com vs mailbox.org · Rackspace Email vs mailbox.org · Outlook.com vs Posteo · Rackspace Email vs Posteo · Outlook.com vs Proton Mail · Rackspace Email vs Proton Mail
How to switch
Moving to Outlook.com · Moving from Outlook.com. Or see all my switching guides.