Outlook.com vs StartMail
In short: StartMail wins on privacy, Outlook.com wins on price, and StartMail wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 22 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Go for Outlook.com if you'd like a mailbox that costs nothing; a free plan to start on; and a company with a longer track record (since 1996).
- Go for StartMail if you'd like your mailbox stored in the Netherlands; a provider with no advertising business behind it; and to use your own domain, like you@yourname.co.uk.
| Feature | Outlook.com | StartMail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 4.0 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 3.5 |
| Price | 5.0 | 3.5 |
| Features | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space) Free | Personal $4.99 a month |
| Free plan | Yes, 15 GB | No (7-day trial) |
| Storage | 15 GB | 20 GB |
| Your own domain | No | ✓ 1 |
| End-to-end encryption | No | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) |
| Company based in | United States | Netherlands |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | Netherlands |
| Founded | 1996 | 2014 |
| Free trial | Free | 7 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 | Unlimited throwaway addresses |
| Open-source apps | No | No |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | None | Offer 50% off |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
The key differences
- Cheapest plans: Outlook.com Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space), Free. StartMail Personal, $4.99 a month.
- For free, Outlook.com gives you a free plan (15 GB), and StartMail no free plan.
- Outlook.com comes with 15 GB of storage and StartMail with 20 GB of storage.
- Your mail is stored in the United States and worldwide with Outlook.com, and in the Netherlands with StartMail.
- Outlook.com is based in the United States and StartMail in the Netherlands, so different privacy laws apply.
- Outlook.com doesn't encrypt mail end to end; StartMail offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage).
- StartMail lets you bring your own domain name; Outlook.com doesn't.
- Only Outlook.com is part of an advertising business.
- For extra addresses, Outlook.com has yes and StartMail has unlimited throwaway addresses.
Questions people ask
Which is more private, Outlook.com or StartMail?
StartMail scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and Outlook.com 0. StartMail gives you your mailbox stored in the Netherlands and a provider with no advertising business behind it.
Which is cheaper, Outlook.com or StartMail?
Outlook.com costs nothing to start (Free). StartMail's cheapest plan, Personal, is $4.99 a month.
Do Outlook.com and StartMail work with my own domain?
Only StartMail does (1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one). With Outlook.com your address stays on its own domain.
Where do Outlook.com and StartMail keep my email?
Outlook.com keeps it in the United States and worldwide. StartMail keeps it in the Netherlands.
Recent price changes
I haven't seen either change its price since I started checking on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Outlook.com news · StartMail news.
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Moving your email
Decided? These guides take you through moving your mail, contacts and address: Outlook.com to StartMail · StartMail to Outlook.com.