StartMail vs AOL Mail
On privacy it's StartMail. On price it's AOL Mail. On features it's StartMail. Here's everything side by side, last checked 22 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- StartMail suits you best if you want your mailbox stored in the Netherlands; a company that isn't funded by advertising; and an address on your own domain.
- Go for AOL Mail if you'd like email without paying for it; to try it free first; and more years of history: it started in 1993.
| Feature | StartMail | AOL Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.0 | 2.0 |
| Privacy | 3.5 | 0.0 |
| Price | 3.5 | 5.0 |
| Features | 5.0 | 3.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Personal $4.99 a month | Free Free |
| Free plan | No (7-day trial) | Yes |
| Storage | 20 GB | Not confirmed |
| Your own domain | ✓ 1 | No |
| End-to-end encryption | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) | No |
| Company based in | Netherlands | United States |
| Your data is kept in | Netherlands | United States |
| Founded | 2014 | 1993 |
| Free trial | 7 days free | 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 | Unlimited throwaway addresses | Yes |
| Open-source apps | No | No |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | Offer 50% off | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
The key differences
- Cheapest plans: StartMail Personal, $4.99 a month. AOL Mail Free, Free.
- StartMail has no free plan; AOL Mail has a free plan ().
- Space: StartMail gives 20 GB of storage, AOL Mail storage not confirmed.
- Your mail is stored in the Netherlands with StartMail, and in the United States with AOL Mail.
- The companies sit under different laws: StartMail in Netherlands, AOL Mail in United States.
- On encryption, StartMail offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage), whereas AOL Mail doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- You can use your own domain with StartMail, but not with AOL Mail.
- AOL Mail (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; StartMail doesn't.
- Aliases: StartMail offers unlimited throwaway addresses, AOL Mail yes.
Questions people ask
Is StartMail more private than AOL Mail?
StartMail scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and AOL Mail 0. StartMail gives you your mailbox stored in the Netherlands and a company that isn't funded by advertising.
Is StartMail cheaper than AOL Mail?
AOL Mail costs nothing to start (Free). StartMail's cheapest plan, Personal, is $4.99 a month.
Can I use my own domain with StartMail or AOL Mail?
Only StartMail does (1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one). With AOL Mail your address stays on its own domain.
Where is my email stored with StartMail and AOL Mail?
StartMail keeps it in the Netherlands. AOL Mail keeps it in the United States.
Prices and the latest news
I haven't seen either change its price since I started checking on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: StartMail news · AOL Mail news.
Alternatives to StartMail and AOL Mail
StartMail vs mailbox.org · AOL Mail vs mailbox.org · StartMail vs Posteo · AOL Mail vs Posteo · StartMail vs Proton Mail · AOL Mail vs Proton Mail
How to switch
Moving to StartMail · Moving from StartMail. Or see all my switching guides.