StartMail vs Paubox
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.
Which should you choose?
- Choose StartMail if you want your mailbox stored in the Netherlands; the lower price ($4.99 a month); and a calendar and contacts alongside your mail.
| Feature | StartMail | Paubox |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.0 | 2.0 |
| Privacy | 3.5 | 1.5 |
| Price | 3.5 | 2.0 |
| Features | 5.0 | 3.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Personal $4.99 a month | Standard $32 a month for up to 5 users |
| 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 | United States |
| Your data is kept in | Netherlands | United States (US data centres only) |
| Founded | 2014 | Unknown |
| Free trial | 7 days free | 14 days free |
| 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 | 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.
Where they differ
- Cheapest plans: StartMail Personal, $4.99 a month. Paubox Standard, $32 a month for up to 5 users.
- For free, StartMail gives you no free plan, and Paubox no free plan.
- StartMail comes with 20 GB of storage and Paubox with storage not confirmed.
- Your mail is stored in the Netherlands with StartMail, and in the United States (US data centres only) with Paubox.
- StartMail is based in the Netherlands and Paubox in the United States, so different privacy laws apply.
- For extra addresses, StartMail has unlimited throwaway addresses and Paubox has yes.
Common questions
Which is more private, StartMail or Paubox?
StartMail scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and Paubox 1.5. StartMail gives you your mailbox stored in the Netherlands.
Which is cheaper, StartMail or Paubox?
StartMail is cheaper. Its Personal plan is $4.99 a month, against $32 a month for up to 5 users for Paubox's Standard. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Do StartMail and Paubox work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. StartMail: 1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one. Paubox: Yes.
Where do StartMail and Paubox keep my email?
StartMail keeps it in the Netherlands. Paubox keeps it in the United States (US data centres only).
Recent price changes
Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: StartMail news · Paubox news.
Alternatives to StartMail and Paubox
StartMail vs mailbox.org · Paubox vs mailbox.org · StartMail vs Posteo · Paubox vs Posteo · StartMail vs Proton Mail · Paubox vs Proton Mail
How to switch
Moving to StartMail · Moving from StartMail. Or see all my switching guides.