Runbox vs Purelymail
On privacy it's Runbox. On price it's Purelymail. On features it's Runbox. Here's everything side by side, last checked 25 October 2026.
Runbox or Purelymail: which should you choose?
- Runbox is the better pick if you want your mailbox stored in Norway; calendar and contacts in the same account; and open-source apps.
- Purelymail is the better pick if you want the lower price ($10 a year, any number of users and domains).
| Feature | Runbox | Purelymail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| Privacy | 3.0 | 0.5 |
| Price | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Mini $34.95 a year | Simple $10 a year, any number of users and domains |
| Free plan | No (30-day trial) | No |
| Storage | 10 GB | Not confirmed |
| Your own domain | ✓ Up to 5 | ✓ Unlimited |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | Norway | United States |
| Your data is kept in | Norway | United States |
| Founded | 2000 | Unknown |
| Free trial | 30 days free, then a 60-day refund | Free trial with a small amount of credit (about a month of light use) |
| Funded by advertising | No | No |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | No |
| 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.
The key differences
- Runbox's cheapest plan is Mini ($34.95 a year); Purelymail's is Simple ($10 a year, any number of users and domains).
- For free, Runbox gives you no free plan, and Purelymail no free plan.
- Runbox comes with 10 GB of storage and Purelymail with storage not confirmed.
- Your mail is stored in Norway with Runbox, and in the United States with Purelymail.
- Runbox is based in Norway and Purelymail in the United States, so different privacy laws apply.
- For extra addresses, Runbox has 100 aliases and Purelymail has yes.
Common questions
Which is more private, Runbox or Purelymail?
Runbox scores 3 out of 5 for privacy and Purelymail 0.5. Runbox gives you your mailbox stored in Norway and open-source apps.
Which is cheaper, Runbox or Purelymail?
Purelymail is cheaper. Its Simple plan is $10 a year, any number of users and domains, against $34.95 a year for Runbox's Mini. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Do Runbox and Purelymail work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. Runbox: Up to 5. Purelymail: Unlimited.
Where do Runbox and Purelymail keep my email?
Runbox keeps it in Norway. Purelymail keeps it in the United States.
Recent price changes
No price changes for either since 22 October 2026. I check regularly and add any change here with its date.
The latest headlines: Runbox news · Purelymail news.
Alternatives to Runbox and Purelymail
Runbox vs mailbox.org · Purelymail vs mailbox.org · Runbox vs Posteo · Purelymail vs Posteo · Runbox vs Proton Mail · Purelymail vs Proton Mail
Switching between them
Moving to Runbox · Moving from Runbox. Or see all my switching guides.