Outlook.com vs SiteGround
SiteGround wins on privacy, Outlook.com wins on price and Outlook.com wins on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 25 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Outlook.com is the better pick if you want email without paying for it; a free plan to start on; and a calendar and contacts alongside your mail.
- Choose SiteGround if you want email from a company that doesn't make money from adverts and an address on your own domain.
| Feature | Outlook.com | SiteGround |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 1.5 |
| Price | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Features | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space) Free | StartUp hosting From $2.99 a month for the first year, with web hosting |
| Free plan | Yes, 15 GB | No |
| Storage | 15 GB | Not confirmed |
| Your own domain | No | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | United States | Bulgaria |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 1996 | Unknown |
| 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 | No |
| Aliases | Yes | Yes |
| Open-source apps | No | No |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | Unknown |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
The key differences
- On price: Outlook.com Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space) at Free, against SiteGround StartUp hosting at From $2.99 a month for the first year, with web hosting.
- Outlook.com has a free plan (15 GB); SiteGround has no free plan.
- Space: Outlook.com gives 15 GB of storage, SiteGround storage not confirmed.
- Your mail is stored in the United States and worldwide with Outlook.com, and in Not confirmed with SiteGround.
- The companies sit under different laws: Outlook.com in United States, SiteGround in Bulgaria.
- You can use your own domain with SiteGround, but not with Outlook.com.
- Outlook.com (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; SiteGround doesn't.
Outlook.com and SiteGround: your questions
Is Outlook.com more private than SiteGround?
SiteGround scores 1.5 out of 5 for privacy and Outlook.com 0. SiteGround gives you email from a company that doesn't make money from adverts.
Is Outlook.com cheaper than SiteGround?
Outlook.com costs nothing to start (Free). SiteGround's cheapest plan, StartUp hosting, is From $2.99 a month for the first year, with web hosting.
Can I use my own domain with Outlook.com or SiteGround?
Only SiteGround does (Yes). With Outlook.com your address stays on its own domain.
Where is my email stored with Outlook.com and SiteGround?
Outlook.com keeps it in the United States and worldwide. SiteGround keeps it in Not confirmed.
Recent price changes
Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Outlook.com news · SiteGround news.
Also worth a look
Outlook.com vs mailbox.org · SiteGround vs mailbox.org · Outlook.com vs Proton Mail · SiteGround vs Proton Mail · Outlook.com vs Posteo · SiteGround vs Posteo
How to switch
Moving to Outlook.com · Moving from Outlook.com. Or see all my switching guides.