StartMail vs Firefox Relay
In short: StartMail wins on privacy, Firefox Relay wins on price, and StartMail wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 25 October 2026.
StartMail or Firefox Relay: which should you choose?
- StartMail suits you best if you want your email to stay in the Netherlands; to use your own domain, like you@yourname.co.uk; and 20 GB of storage.
- Choose Firefox Relay if you want to pay less: $0.99 a month; a free plan before you pay anything; and open-source apps.
| Feature | StartMail | Firefox Relay |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.0 | 2.5 |
| Privacy | 3.5 | 1.0 |
| Price | 3.5 | 5.0 |
| Features | 5.0 | Not rated |
| Cheapest plan | Personal $4.99 a month | Premium $0.99 a month |
| Free plan | No (7-day trial) | Yes, 5 aliases |
| Storage | 20 GB | Forwards only |
| Your own domain | ✓ 1 | Own subdomain only |
| End-to-end encryption | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) | No |
| Company based in | Netherlands | United States (Mozilla) |
| Your data is kept in | Netherlands | United States |
| Founded | 2014 | 2020 |
| Free trial | 7 days free | Free plan |
| Funded by advertising | No | No |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | No, its own apps only |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | No |
| Aliases | Unlimited throwaway addresses | Unlimited aliases |
| Open-source apps | No | ✓ Yes |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | Offer 50% off | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
The key differences
- StartMail's cheapest plan is Personal ($4.99 a month); Firefox Relay's is Premium ($0.99 a month).
- StartMail has no free plan; Firefox Relay has a free plan (5 aliases).
- Space: StartMail gives 20 GB of storage, Firefox Relay no storage, as it forwards mail on.
- Data location: Netherlands for StartMail, United States for Firefox Relay.
- The companies sit under different laws: StartMail in Netherlands, Firefox Relay in United States (Mozilla).
- On encryption, StartMail offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage), whereas Firefox Relay doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- You can use your own domain with StartMail, but not with Firefox Relay.
- Mail apps: StartMail works in any mail app over IMAP; Firefox Relay only works in its own apps.
- Aliases: StartMail offers unlimited throwaway addresses, Firefox Relay unlimited aliases.
Common questions
Is StartMail more private than Firefox Relay?
StartMail scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and Firefox Relay 1. StartMail gives you your email to stay in the Netherlands.
Is StartMail cheaper than Firefox Relay?
Firefox Relay is cheaper. Its Premium plan is $0.99 a month, against $4.99 a month for StartMail's Personal. Firefox Relay also has a free plan. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Can I use my own domain with StartMail or Firefox Relay?
Only StartMail does (1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one). With Firefox Relay your address stays on its own domain.
Where is my email stored with StartMail and Firefox Relay?
StartMail keeps it in the Netherlands. Firefox Relay keeps it in the United States.
Can I use StartMail and Firefox Relay in Apple Mail or Outlook?
StartMail works in any mail app over IMAP. Firefox Relay only works in its own apps.
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 · Firefox Relay news.
Also worth a look
StartMail vs mailbox.org · Firefox Relay vs mailbox.org · StartMail vs Posteo · Firefox Relay vs Posteo · StartMail vs Proton Mail · Firefox Relay vs Proton Mail
How to switch
Moving to StartMail · Moving from StartMail. Or see all my switching guides.