StartMail vs Zimbra
StartMail wins on privacy, StartMail wins on price and StartMail wins on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 22 October 2026.
StartMail or Zimbra: which should you choose?
- Choose StartMail if you want your mail kept in the Netherlands.
- Go for Zimbra if you'd like a free plan to start on and open-source apps anyone can check.
| Feature | StartMail | Zimbra |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.0 | Not rated |
| Privacy | 3.5 | Not rated |
| Price | 3.5 | Not rated |
| Features | 5.0 | Not rated |
| Cheapest plan | Personal $4.99 a month | Open source Free |
| Free plan | No (7-day trial) | Open-source edition; paid Network Edition |
| Storage | 20 GB | Not confirmed |
| 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 | Your own server |
| 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 | ✓ Yes |
| 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.
The key differences
- StartMail's cheapest plan is Personal ($4.99 a month); Zimbra's is Open source (Free).
- For free, StartMail gives you no free plan, and Zimbra Open-source edition; paid Network Edition.
- StartMail comes with 20 GB of storage and Zimbra with storage not confirmed.
- StartMail keeps your mail in the Netherlands, while Zimbra keeps it in Your own server.
- StartMail is based in the Netherlands and Zimbra in the United States, so different privacy laws apply.
- StartMail offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage); Zimbra doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- For extra addresses, StartMail has unlimited throwaway addresses and Zimbra has yes.
Questions people ask
Do StartMail and Zimbra work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. StartMail: 1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one. Zimbra: Yes.
Where do StartMail and Zimbra keep my email?
StartMail keeps it in the Netherlands. Zimbra keeps it in Your own server.
Prices and the latest news
Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: StartMail news · Zimbra news.
Alternatives to StartMail and Zimbra
StartMail vs Posteo · Zimbra vs Posteo · StartMail vs mailbox.org · Zimbra vs mailbox.org · StartMail vs Proton Mail · Zimbra vs Proton Mail
How to switch
Moving to StartMail · Moving from StartMail. Or see all my switching guides.