StartMail vs Hushmail
On privacy it's StartMail. On price it's StartMail. On features it's StartMail. Here's everything side by side, last checked 25 October 2026.
Should you pick StartMail or Hushmail?
- Choose StartMail if you want your mailbox stored in the Netherlands and a cheaper plan, at $4.99 a month.
- Go for Hushmail if you'd like more years of history: it started in 1999.
| Feature | StartMail | Hushmail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.0 | 2.5 |
| Privacy | 3.5 | 1.5 |
| Price | 3.5 | 2.0 |
| Features | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Personal $4.99 a month | Small Business From $10.79 a month (Small Business) |
| Free plan | No (7-day trial) | No |
| Storage | 20 GB | Not confirmed |
| Your own domain | ✓ 1 | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) |
| Company based in | Netherlands | Canada |
| Your data is kept in | Netherlands | Canada |
| Founded | 2014 | 1999 |
| Free trial | 7 days free | No free trial; 60-day money-back guarantee |
| 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 | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
The key differences
- On price: StartMail Personal at $4.99 a month, against Hushmail Small Business at From $10.79 a month (Small Business).
- For free, StartMail gives you no free plan, and Hushmail no free plan.
- StartMail comes with 20 GB of storage and Hushmail with storage not confirmed.
- Your mail is stored in the Netherlands with StartMail, and in Canada with Hushmail.
- StartMail is based in the Netherlands and Hushmail in Canada, so different privacy laws apply.
- For extra addresses, StartMail has unlimited throwaway addresses and Hushmail has yes.
Common questions
Which is more private, StartMail or Hushmail?
StartMail scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and Hushmail 1.5. StartMail gives you your mailbox stored in the Netherlands.
Which is cheaper, StartMail or Hushmail?
StartMail is cheaper. Its Personal plan is $4.99 a month, against From $10.79 a month (Small Business) for Hushmail's Small Business. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Do StartMail and Hushmail work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. StartMail: 1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one. Hushmail: Yes.
Where do StartMail and Hushmail keep my email?
StartMail keeps it in the Netherlands. Hushmail keeps it in Canada.
Price changes and news
- 22 October 2026 Hushmail: $5.99 per user a month, when I checked
The latest headlines: StartMail news · Hushmail news.
Not sold on either? Try these
StartMail vs mailbox.org · Hushmail vs mailbox.org · StartMail vs Posteo · Hushmail vs Posteo · StartMail vs Proton Mail · Hushmail vs Proton Mail
Switching between them
Moving to StartMail · Moving from StartMail. Or see all my switching guides.