StartMail vs Hostinger Email
In short: StartMail wins on privacy, Hostinger Email wins on price, and StartMail wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 25 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Choose StartMail if you want your mailbox stored in the Netherlands; 20 GB of storage; and calendar and contacts in the same account.
- Go for Hostinger Email if you'd like to pay less: $0.39 a month on a 48-month term, renews at $1.59 and more years of history: it started in 2004.
| Feature | StartMail | Hostinger Email |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Privacy | 3.5 | 1.5 |
| Price | 3.5 | 4.5 |
| Features | 5.0 | 3.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Personal $4.99 a month | Starter $0.39 a month on a 48-month term, renews at $1.59 |
| Free plan | No (7-day trial) | No |
| Storage | 20 GB | 5 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ 1 | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) | No |
| Company based in | Netherlands | Lithuania |
| Your data is kept in | Netherlands | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2014 | 2004 |
| Free trial | 7 days free | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Funded by advertising | No | No |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | No |
| 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.
The key differences
- Cheapest plans: StartMail Personal, $4.99 a month. Hostinger Email Starter, $0.39 a month on a 48-month term, renews at $1.59.
- For free, StartMail gives you no free plan, and Hostinger Email no free plan.
- StartMail comes with 20 GB of storage and Hostinger Email with 5 GB of storage.
- Your mail is stored in the Netherlands with StartMail, and in Not confirmed with Hostinger Email.
- StartMail is based in the Netherlands and Hostinger Email in Lithuania, so different privacy laws apply.
- StartMail offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage); Hostinger Email doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- For extra addresses, StartMail has unlimited throwaway addresses and Hostinger Email has yes.
Common questions
Which is more private, StartMail or Hostinger Email?
StartMail scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and Hostinger Email 1.5. StartMail gives you your mailbox stored in the Netherlands.
Which is cheaper, StartMail or Hostinger Email?
Hostinger Email is cheaper. Its Starter plan is $0.39 a month on a 48-month term, renews at $1.59, against $4.99 a month for StartMail's Personal. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Do StartMail and Hostinger Email work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. StartMail: 1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one. Hostinger Email: Yes.
Where do StartMail and Hostinger Email keep my email?
StartMail keeps it in the Netherlands. Hostinger Email keeps it in Not confirmed.
Price changes and news
Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: StartMail news · Hostinger Email news.
Also worth a look
StartMail vs mailbox.org · Hostinger Email vs mailbox.org · StartMail vs Posteo · Hostinger Email vs Posteo · StartMail vs Proton Mail · Hostinger Email vs Proton Mail
Switching between them
Moving to StartMail · Moving from StartMail. Or see all my switching guides.