StartMail vs Namecheap Private Email
StartMail wins on privacy, Namecheap Private Email wins on price and StartMail wins on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 22 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- StartMail is the better pick if you want your mail kept in the Netherlands and more room (20 GB, against 5 GB).
- Go for Namecheap Private Email if you'd like the lower price (From about $1 a month) and more years of history: it started in 2000.
| Feature | StartMail | Namecheap Private Email |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.0 | 2.5 |
| Privacy | 3.5 | 0.5 |
| Price | 3.5 | 5.0 |
| Features | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Personal $4.99 a month | Starter From about $1 a month |
| 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 | United States |
| Your data is kept in | Netherlands | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2014 | 2000 |
| 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 | ✓ 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 | 22 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 Namecheap Private Email Starter at From about $1 a month.
- StartMail has no free plan; Namecheap Private Email has no free plan.
- Space: StartMail gives 20 GB of storage, Namecheap Private Email 5 GB of storage.
- StartMail keeps your mail in the Netherlands, while Namecheap Private Email keeps it in Not confirmed.
- The companies sit under different laws: StartMail in Netherlands, Namecheap Private Email in United States.
- On encryption, StartMail offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage), whereas Namecheap Private Email doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- Aliases: StartMail offers unlimited throwaway addresses, Namecheap Private Email yes.
Common questions
Is StartMail more private than Namecheap Private Email?
StartMail scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and Namecheap Private Email 0.5. StartMail gives you your mail kept in the Netherlands.
Is StartMail cheaper than Namecheap Private Email?
Namecheap Private Email is cheaper. Its Starter plan is From about $1 a month, against $4.99 a month for StartMail's Personal. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Can I use my own domain with StartMail or Namecheap Private Email?
Yes, both do. StartMail: 1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one. Namecheap Private Email: Yes.
Where is my email stored with StartMail and Namecheap Private Email?
StartMail keeps it in the Netherlands. Namecheap Private Email keeps it in Not confirmed.
Price changes and 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 · Namecheap Private Email news.
Also worth a look
StartMail vs mailbox.org · Namecheap Private Email vs mailbox.org · StartMail vs Posteo · Namecheap Private Email vs Posteo · StartMail vs Proton Mail · Namecheap Private Email vs Proton Mail
Switching between them
Moving to StartMail · Moving from StartMail. Or see all my switching guides.