StartMail vs Krystal
StartMail wins on privacy, StartMail wins on price and StartMail wins on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 25 October 2026.
StartMail or Krystal: which should you choose?
- Go for Krystal if you'd like more years of history: it started in 2002.
| Feature | StartMail | Krystal |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.0 | Not rated |
| Privacy | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| Price | 3.5 | Not rated |
| Features | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Personal $4.99 a month | Email hosting Not confirmed |
| 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) | No |
| Company based in | Netherlands | United Kingdom |
| Your data is kept in | Netherlands | United Kingdom |
| Founded | 2014 | 2002 |
| Free trial | 7 days free | 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 | 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
- On price: StartMail Personal at $4.99 a month, against Krystal Email hosting at Not confirmed.
- StartMail has no free plan; Krystal has no free plan.
- Space: StartMail gives 20 GB of storage, Krystal storage not confirmed.
- Your mail is stored in the Netherlands with StartMail, and in the United Kingdom with Krystal.
- The companies sit under different laws: StartMail in Netherlands, Krystal in United Kingdom.
- On encryption, StartMail offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage), whereas Krystal doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- Aliases: StartMail offers unlimited throwaway addresses, Krystal yes.
Common questions
Is StartMail more private than Krystal?
StartMail scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and Krystal 2.5.
Can I use my own domain with StartMail or Krystal?
Yes, both do. StartMail: 1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one. Krystal: Yes.
Where is my email stored with StartMail and Krystal?
StartMail keeps it in the Netherlands. Krystal keeps it in the United Kingdom.
Prices and the latest news
Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: StartMail news · Krystal news.
Also worth a look
StartMail vs mailbox.org · Krystal vs mailbox.org · StartMail vs Posteo · Krystal vs Posteo · StartMail vs Proton Mail · Krystal vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
Moving to StartMail · Moving from StartMail. Or see all my switching guides.