Outlook.com vs Runbox
In short: Runbox wins on privacy, Outlook.com wins on price, and Runbox wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 22 October 2026.
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.
- Choose Runbox if you want your mailbox stored in Norway; a provider with no advertising business behind it; and to use your own domain, like you@yourname.co.uk.
| Feature | Outlook.com | Runbox |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 3.5 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 3.0 |
| Price | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Features | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space) Free | Mini $34.95 a year |
| Free plan | Yes, 15 GB | No (30-day trial) |
| Storage | 15 GB | 10 GB |
| Your own domain | No | ✓ Up to 5 |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | United States | Norway |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | Norway |
| Founded | 1996 | 2000 |
| Free trial | Free | 30 days free, then a 60-day refund |
| 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 | 100 aliases |
| Open-source apps | No | ✓ Yes |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| 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.
The key differences
- Outlook.com's cheapest plan is Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space) (Free); Runbox's is Mini ($34.95 a year).
- Outlook.com has a free plan (15 GB); Runbox has no free plan.
- Space: Outlook.com gives 15 GB of storage, Runbox 10 GB of storage.
- Your mail is stored in the United States and worldwide with Outlook.com, and in Norway with Runbox.
- The companies sit under different laws: Outlook.com in United States, Runbox in Norway.
- You can use your own domain with Runbox, but not with Outlook.com.
- Outlook.com (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; Runbox doesn't.
- Aliases: Outlook.com offers yes, Runbox 100 aliases.
Outlook.com and Runbox: your questions
Is Outlook.com more private than Runbox?
Runbox scores 3 out of 5 for privacy and Outlook.com 0. Runbox gives you your mailbox stored in Norway, a provider with no advertising business behind it and apps whose code is public.
Is Outlook.com cheaper than Runbox?
Outlook.com costs nothing to start (Free). Runbox's cheapest plan, Mini, is $34.95 a year.
Can I use my own domain with Outlook.com or Runbox?
Only Runbox does (Up to 5). With Outlook.com your address stays on its own domain.
Where is my email stored with Outlook.com and Runbox?
Outlook.com keeps it in the United States and worldwide. Runbox keeps it in Norway.
Prices and the latest news
Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Outlook.com news · Runbox news.
Also worth a look
Outlook.com vs mailbox.org · Runbox vs mailbox.org · Outlook.com vs Posteo · Runbox vs Posteo · Outlook.com vs Proton Mail · Runbox vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
Ready to move? My step-by-step guides cover your mail, contacts, forwarding and your own domain: Outlook.com to Runbox · Runbox to Outlook.com.