StartMail vs Librem One
In short: StartMail wins on privacy, StartMail wins on price, and StartMail wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 22 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Go for StartMail if you'd like your mail kept in the Netherlands; a cheaper plan, at $4.99 a month; and to use your own domain, like you@yourname.co.uk.
- Go for Librem One if you'd like open-source apps.
| Feature | StartMail | Librem One |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.0 | 2.0 |
| Privacy | 3.5 | 1.0 |
| Price | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| Features | 5.0 | 2.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Personal $4.99 a month | Librem One $7.99 a month |
| Free plan | No (7-day trial) | No |
| Storage | 20 GB | Not confirmed |
| Your own domain | ✓ 1 | No |
| End-to-end encryption | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) | No |
| Company based in | Netherlands | United States |
| Your data is kept in | Netherlands | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2014 | Unknown |
| Free trial | 7 days free | Unknown |
| 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 | ✓ Yes |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | Unknown |
| Reader offer | Offer 50% off | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
Where they differ
- On price: StartMail Personal at $4.99 a month, against Librem One Librem One at $7.99 a month.
- For free, StartMail gives you no free plan, and Librem One no free plan.
- StartMail comes with 20 GB of storage and Librem One with storage not confirmed.
- StartMail keeps your mail in the Netherlands, while Librem One keeps it in Not confirmed.
- StartMail is based in the Netherlands and Librem One in the United States, so different privacy laws apply.
- StartMail offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage); Librem One doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- StartMail lets you bring your own domain name; Librem One doesn't.
- For extra addresses, StartMail has unlimited throwaway addresses and Librem One has yes.
StartMail and Librem One: your questions
Which is more private, StartMail or Librem One?
StartMail scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and Librem One 1. StartMail gives you your mail kept in the Netherlands.
Which is cheaper, StartMail or Librem One?
StartMail is cheaper. Its Personal plan is $4.99 a month, against $7.99 a month for Librem One's Librem One. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Do StartMail and Librem One work with my own domain?
Only StartMail does (1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one). With Librem One your address stays on its own domain.
Where do StartMail and Librem One keep my email?
StartMail keeps it in the Netherlands. Librem One keeps it in Not confirmed.
Prices and the latest news
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 · Librem One news.
Alternatives to StartMail and Librem One
StartMail vs Proton Mail · Librem One vs Proton Mail · StartMail vs mailbox.org · Librem One vs mailbox.org · StartMail vs Posteo · Librem One vs Posteo
Moving your email
Moving to StartMail · Moving from StartMail. Or see all my switching guides.