Runbox vs CounterMail
CounterMail wins on privacy, they tie on price and Runbox wins on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 25 October 2026.
Runbox or CounterMail: which should you choose?
- Choose Runbox if you want to pay less: $34.95 a year; more room (10 GB, against 4 GB); and apps whose code is public.
- CounterMail suits you best if you want end-to-end encryption built in.
| Feature | Runbox | CounterMail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| Privacy | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Price | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Mini $34.95 a year | Premium, 12 months $4 a month, paid yearly ($49) |
| Free plan | No (30-day trial) | No |
| Storage | 10 GB | 4 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Up to 5 | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | ✓ Built in |
| Company based in | Norway | Sweden |
| Your data is kept in | Norway | Sweden |
| Founded | 2000 | Unknown |
| Free trial | 30 days free, then a 60-day refund | Unknown |
| Funded by advertising | No | No |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Aliases | 100 aliases | Yes |
| Open-source apps | ✓ Yes | 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.
Where they differ
- Runbox's cheapest plan is Mini ($34.95 a year); CounterMail's is Premium, 12 months ($4 a month, paid yearly ($49)).
- Runbox has no free plan; CounterMail has no free plan.
- Space: Runbox gives 10 GB of storage, CounterMail 4 GB of storage.
- Your mail is stored in Norway with Runbox, and in Sweden with CounterMail.
- The companies sit under different laws: Runbox in Norway, CounterMail in Sweden.
- On encryption, Runbox doesn't encrypt mail end to end, whereas CounterMail encrypts mail end to end.
- Aliases: Runbox offers 100 aliases, CounterMail yes.
Runbox and CounterMail: your questions
Is Runbox more private than CounterMail?
CounterMail scores 4 out of 5 for privacy and Runbox 3. CounterMail gives you end-to-end encryption built in.
Is Runbox cheaper than CounterMail?
Runbox is cheaper. Its Mini plan is $34.95 a year, against $4 a month, paid yearly ($49) for CounterMail's Premium, 12 months. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Can I use my own domain with Runbox or CounterMail?
Yes, both do. Runbox: Up to 5. CounterMail: Yes.
Where is my email stored with Runbox and CounterMail?
Runbox keeps it in Norway. CounterMail keeps it in Sweden.
Recent price changes
I haven't seen either change its price since I started checking on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Runbox news · CounterMail news.
Also worth a look
Runbox vs mailbox.org · CounterMail vs mailbox.org · Runbox vs Posteo · CounterMail vs Posteo · Runbox vs Proton Mail · CounterMail vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
Moving to Runbox · Moving from Runbox. Or see all my switching guides.