StartMail vs eclipso
In short: StartMail wins on privacy, eclipso wins on price, and StartMail wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 25 October 2026.
StartMail or eclipso: which should you choose?
- Go for StartMail if you'd like an address on your own domain.
- Go for eclipso if you'd like a cheaper plan, at €1.49 a month and a free plan before you pay anything.
| Feature | StartMail | eclipso |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Privacy | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| Price | 3.5 | 4.5 |
| Features | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Personal $4.99 a month | Connect €1.49 a month |
| Free plan | No (7-day trial) | Yes, 4 GB |
| Storage | 20 GB | 20 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ 1 | On paid plans |
| End-to-end encryption | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) | No |
| Company based in | Netherlands | Germany |
| Your data is kept in | Netherlands | Germany |
| Founded | 2014 | Unknown |
| Free trial | 7 days free | Free plan (Freemail) |
| Funded by advertising | No | No |
| 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 | Unknown |
| Reader offer | Offer 50% off | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
Where they differ
- StartMail's cheapest plan is Personal ($4.99 a month); eclipso's is Connect (€1.49 a month).
- For free, StartMail gives you no free plan, and eclipso a free plan (4 GB).
- Your mail is stored in the Netherlands with StartMail, and in Germany with eclipso.
- StartMail is based in the Netherlands and eclipso in Germany, so different privacy laws apply.
- StartMail offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage); eclipso doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- StartMail lets you bring your own domain name; eclipso doesn't.
- For extra addresses, StartMail has unlimited throwaway addresses and eclipso has yes.
StartMail and eclipso: your questions
Which is more private, StartMail or eclipso?
StartMail scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and eclipso 2.5.
Which is cheaper, StartMail or eclipso?
eclipso is cheaper. Its Connect plan is €1.49 a month, against $4.99 a month for StartMail's Personal. eclipso also has a free plan. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Do StartMail and eclipso work with my own domain?
Only StartMail does (1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one). With eclipso your address stays on its own domain.
Where do StartMail and eclipso keep my email?
StartMail keeps it in the Netherlands. eclipso keeps it in Germany.
Prices and the latest news
- 22 October 2026 eclipso: Free; paid plans not confirmed, when I checked
The latest headlines: StartMail news · eclipso news.
Also worth a look
StartMail vs mailbox.org · eclipso vs mailbox.org · StartMail vs Posteo · eclipso vs Posteo · StartMail vs Proton Mail · eclipso vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
Moving to StartMail · Moving from StartMail. Or see all my switching guides.