StartMail vs mail.com
StartMail wins on privacy, mail.com wins on price and StartMail wins on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 25 October 2026.
Should you pick StartMail or mail.com?
- StartMail suits you best if you want your mail kept in the Netherlands; a company that isn't funded by advertising; and email at your own domain name.
- Go for mail.com 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 | mail.com |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.0 | 2.5 |
| Privacy | 3.5 | 0.0 |
| Price | 3.5 | 5.0 |
| Features | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Personal $4.99 a month | Free Free |
| 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 | United States |
| Your data is kept in | Netherlands | United States |
| Founded | 2014 | 1995 |
| 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 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
Where they differ
- On price: StartMail Personal at $4.99 a month, against mail.com Free at Free.
- StartMail has no free plan; mail.com has a free plan (with adverts).
- Space: StartMail gives 20 GB of storage, mail.com 65 GB of storage.
- StartMail keeps your mail in the Netherlands, while mail.com keeps it in the United States.
- The companies sit under different laws: StartMail in Netherlands, mail.com in United States.
- On encryption, StartMail offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage), whereas mail.com doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- You can use your own domain with StartMail, but not with mail.com.
- mail.com (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; StartMail doesn't.
- Aliases: StartMail offers unlimited throwaway addresses, mail.com up to 10 addresses.
Common questions
Is StartMail more private than mail.com?
StartMail scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and mail.com 0. StartMail gives you your mail kept in the Netherlands and a company that isn't funded by advertising.
Is StartMail cheaper than mail.com?
mail.com costs nothing to start (Free). StartMail's cheapest plan, Personal, is $4.99 a month.
Can I use my own domain with StartMail or mail.com?
Only StartMail does (1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one). With mail.com your address stays on its own domain.
Where is my email stored with StartMail and mail.com?
StartMail keeps it in the Netherlands. mail.com keeps it in the United States.
Price changes and news
I haven't seen either change its price since I started checking on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: StartMail news · mail.com news.
Alternatives to StartMail and mail.com
StartMail vs mailbox.org · mail.com vs mailbox.org · StartMail vs Posteo · mail.com vs Posteo · StartMail vs Proton Mail · mail.com vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
Moving to StartMail · Moving from StartMail. Or see all my switching guides.