StartMail vs Runbox
In short: StartMail wins on privacy, Runbox wins on price, and StartMail wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 22 October 2026.
Should you pick StartMail or Runbox?
- StartMail suits you best if you want more space for your mail: 20 GB.
- Choose Runbox if you want the lower price ($34.95 a year); open-source apps anyone can check; and more years of history: it started in 2000.
| Feature | StartMail | Runbox |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Privacy | 3.5 | 3.0 |
| Price | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| Features | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Personal $4.99 a month | Mini $34.95 a year |
| Free plan | No (7-day trial) | No (30-day trial) |
| Storage | 20 GB | 10 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ 1 | ✓ Up to 5 |
| End-to-end encryption | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) | No |
| Company based in | Netherlands | Norway |
| Your data is kept in | Netherlands | Norway |
| Founded | 2014 | 2000 |
| Free trial | 7 days free | 30 days free, then a 60-day refund |
| 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 | 100 aliases |
| Open-source apps | No | ✓ Yes |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| 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
- Cheapest plans: StartMail Personal, $4.99 a month. Runbox Mini, $34.95 a year.
- StartMail has no free plan; Runbox has no free plan.
- Space: StartMail gives 20 GB of storage, Runbox 10 GB of storage.
- StartMail keeps your mail in the Netherlands, while Runbox keeps it in Norway.
- The companies sit under different laws: StartMail in Netherlands, Runbox in Norway.
- On encryption, StartMail offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage), whereas Runbox doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- Aliases: StartMail offers unlimited throwaway addresses, Runbox 100 aliases.
StartMail and Runbox: your questions
Is StartMail more private than Runbox?
StartMail scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and Runbox 3.
Is StartMail cheaper than Runbox?
Runbox is cheaper. Its Mini plan is $34.95 a year, 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 Runbox?
Yes, both do. StartMail: 1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one. Runbox: Up to 5.
Where is my email stored with StartMail and Runbox?
StartMail keeps it in the Netherlands. Runbox keeps it in Norway.
Price changes and news
Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: StartMail news · Runbox news.
Alternatives to StartMail and Runbox
StartMail vs mailbox.org · Runbox vs mailbox.org · StartMail vs Posteo · Runbox vs Posteo · StartMail vs Proton Mail · Runbox vs Proton Mail
How to switch
Switching takes an evening to set up. Follow the steps for your direction: StartMail to Runbox · Runbox to StartMail.