StartMail vs GMX
StartMail wins on privacy, GMX wins on price and StartMail wins on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 25 October 2026.
Should you pick StartMail or GMX?
- StartMail suits you best if you want a company that isn't funded by advertising and an address on your own domain.
- Go for GMX if you'd like email without paying for it; a free plan to start on; and more space for your mail: 65 GB.
| Feature | StartMail | GMX |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Privacy | 3.5 | 2.0 |
| Price | 3.5 | 5.0 |
| Features | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Personal $4.99 a month | Free Free (paid plans only for German and Austrian residents) |
| Free plan | No (7-day trial) | Yes, with adverts |
| Storage | 20 GB | 65 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ 1 | No |
| End-to-end encryption | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) | No |
| Company based in | Netherlands | Germany |
| Your data is kept in | Netherlands | Germany (European data centres) |
| Founded | 2014 | 1997 |
| 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 | Up to 10 addresses |
| 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 | 25 October 2026 |
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How StartMail and GMX differ
- StartMail's cheapest plan is Personal ($4.99 a month); GMX's is Free (Free (paid plans only for German and Austrian residents)).
- StartMail has no free plan; GMX has a free plan (with adverts).
- Space: StartMail gives 20 GB of storage, GMX 65 GB of storage.
- StartMail keeps your mail in the Netherlands, while GMX keeps it in Germany (European data centres).
- The companies sit under different laws: StartMail in Netherlands, GMX in Germany.
- On encryption, StartMail offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage), whereas GMX doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- You can use your own domain with StartMail, but not with GMX.
- GMX (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; StartMail doesn't.
- Aliases: StartMail offers unlimited throwaway addresses, GMX up to 10 addresses.
Common questions
Is StartMail more private than GMX?
StartMail scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and GMX 2. StartMail gives you a company that isn't funded by advertising.
Is StartMail cheaper than GMX?
GMX costs nothing to start (Free (paid plans only for German and Austrian residents)). StartMail's cheapest plan, Personal, is $4.99 a month.
Can I use my own domain with StartMail or GMX?
Only StartMail does (1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one). With GMX your address stays on its own domain.
Where is my email stored with StartMail and GMX?
StartMail keeps it in the Netherlands. GMX keeps it in Germany (European data centres).
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 · GMX news.
Alternatives to StartMail and GMX
StartMail vs mailbox.org · GMX vs mailbox.org · StartMail vs Posteo · GMX vs Posteo · StartMail vs Proton Mail · GMX vs Proton Mail
Switching between them
Moving to StartMail · Moving from StartMail. Or see all my switching guides.