StartMail vs Fastmail for Business
In short: StartMail wins on privacy, they tie on price, and they tie on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 22 October 2026.
StartMail or Fastmail for Business: which should you choose?
- StartMail is the better pick if you want more built in, including PGP encryption as well as password-protected email to anyone.
- Go for Fastmail for Business if you'd like a cheaper plan, at $5 per user a month ($4.17 yearly); more space for your mail: 50 GB; and a company with a longer track record (since 1999).
| Feature | StartMail | Fastmail for Business |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Privacy | 3.5 | 2.0 |
| Price | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Features | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Personal $4.99 a month | Standard $5 per user a month ($4.17 yearly) |
| Free plan | No (7-day trial) | No |
| Storage | 20 GB | 50 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ 1 | ✓ Up to 100 |
| End-to-end encryption | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) | No |
| Company based in | Netherlands | Australia |
| Your data is kept in | Netherlands | EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups |
| Founded | 2014 | 1999 |
| Free trial | 7 days free | 30 days free |
| 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 | No |
| Reader offer | Offer 50% off | Offer 10% off your first year, plus a free trial of up to 30 days |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
Where they differ
- Cheapest plans: StartMail Personal, $4.99 a month. Fastmail for Business Standard, $5 per user a month ($4.17 yearly).
- StartMail has no free plan; Fastmail for Business has no free plan.
- Space: StartMail gives 20 GB of storage, Fastmail for Business 50 GB of storage.
- Data location: Netherlands for StartMail, EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups for Fastmail for Business.
- The companies sit under different laws: StartMail in Netherlands, Fastmail for Business in Australia.
- On encryption, StartMail offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage), whereas Fastmail for Business doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- Aliases: StartMail offers unlimited throwaway addresses, Fastmail for Business yes.
StartMail and Fastmail for Business: your questions
Is StartMail more private than Fastmail for Business?
StartMail scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and Fastmail for Business 2.
Is StartMail cheaper than Fastmail for Business?
Fastmail for Business is cheaper. Its Standard plan is $5 per user a month ($4.17 yearly), against $4.99 a month for StartMail's Personal. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Can I use my own domain with StartMail or Fastmail for Business?
Yes, both do. StartMail: 1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one. Fastmail for Business: Up to 100.
Where is my email stored with StartMail and Fastmail for Business?
StartMail keeps it in the Netherlands. Fastmail for Business keeps it in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups.
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: StartMail news · Fastmail for Business news.
Alternatives to StartMail and Fastmail for Business
StartMail vs mailbox.org · Fastmail for Business vs mailbox.org · StartMail vs Posteo · Fastmail for Business vs Posteo · StartMail vs Proton Mail · Fastmail for Business vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
Moving to StartMail · Moving from StartMail. Or see all my switching guides.