Runbox vs GMX
Runbox wins on privacy, GMX wins on price and Runbox wins on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 25 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Runbox suits you best if you want a company that isn't funded by advertising; an address on your own domain; and open-source apps.
- GMX suits you best if you want a mailbox that costs nothing; a free plan to start on; and more space for your mail: 65 GB.
| Feature | Runbox | GMX |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Privacy | 3.0 | 2.0 |
| Price | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Mini $34.95 a year | Free Free (paid plans only for German and Austrian residents) |
| Free plan | No (30-day trial) | Yes, with adverts |
| Storage | 10 GB | 65 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Up to 5 | No |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | Norway | Germany |
| Your data is kept in | Norway | Germany (European data centres) |
| Founded | 2000 | 1997 |
| Free trial | 30 days free, then a 60-day refund | Free |
| Funded by advertising | No | Yes, or its parent company is |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Aliases | 100 aliases | Up to 10 addresses |
| Open-source apps | ✓ Yes | No |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
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How Runbox and GMX differ
- On price: Runbox Mini at $34.95 a year, against GMX Free at Free (paid plans only for German and Austrian residents).
- For free, Runbox gives you no free plan, and GMX a free plan (with adverts).
- Runbox comes with 10 GB of storage and GMX with 65 GB of storage.
- Runbox keeps your mail in Norway, while GMX keeps it in Germany (European data centres).
- Runbox is based in Norway and GMX in Germany, so different privacy laws apply.
- Runbox lets you bring your own domain name; GMX doesn't.
- Only GMX is part of an advertising business.
- For extra addresses, Runbox has 100 aliases and GMX has up to 10 addresses.
Questions people ask
Which is more private, Runbox or GMX?
Runbox scores 3 out of 5 for privacy and GMX 2. Runbox gives you a company that isn't funded by advertising and open-source apps.
Which is cheaper, Runbox or GMX?
GMX costs nothing to start (Free (paid plans only for German and Austrian residents)). Runbox's cheapest plan, Mini, is $34.95 a year.
Do Runbox and GMX work with my own domain?
Only Runbox does (Up to 5). With GMX your address stays on its own domain.
Where do Runbox and GMX keep my email?
Runbox keeps it in Norway. GMX keeps it in Germany (European data centres).
Recent price changes
Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Runbox news · GMX news.
Also worth a look
Runbox vs mailbox.org · GMX vs mailbox.org · Runbox vs Posteo · GMX vs Posteo · Runbox vs Proton Mail · GMX vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
Moving to Runbox · Moving from Runbox. Or see all my switching guides.