Tuta vs StartMail
On privacy it's Tuta. On price it's Tuta. On features it's StartMail. Here's everything side by side, last checked 22 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Choose Tuta if you want encryption that means even the provider can't read your mail; the lower price (About €3 a month, yearly); and a free plan before you pay anything.
- StartMail is the better pick if you want freedom to use the mail app you already like and features the other lacks, like PGP encryption as well as POP3.
| Feature | Tuta | StartMail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Privacy | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Price | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Features | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Revolutionary About €3 a month, yearly | Personal $4.99 a month |
| Free plan | Yes, 1 GB | No (7-day trial) |
| Storage | 20 GB | 20 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ 3 | ✓ 1 |
| End-to-end encryption | ✓ Built in | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) |
| Company based in | Germany | Netherlands |
| Your data is kept in | Germany | Netherlands |
| Founded | 2011 | 2014 |
| Free trial | Free plan | 7 days free |
| Funded by advertising | No | No |
| Works in any mail app | No, its own apps only | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Aliases | Yes, with catch-all | Unlimited throwaway addresses |
| Open-source apps | ✓ Yes | No |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | None | Offer 50% off |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
Where they differ
- Cheapest plans: Tuta Revolutionary, About €3 a month, yearly. StartMail Personal, $4.99 a month.
- Tuta has a free plan (1 GB); StartMail has no free plan.
- Your mail is stored in Germany with Tuta, and in the Netherlands with StartMail.
- The companies sit under different laws: Tuta in Germany, StartMail in Netherlands.
- On encryption, Tuta encrypts mail end to end, whereas StartMail offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage).
- Mail apps: Tuta only works in its own apps; StartMail works in any mail app over IMAP.
- Aliases: Tuta offers yes, with catch-all, StartMail unlimited throwaway addresses.
Questions people ask
Is Tuta more private than StartMail?
Tuta scores 4.5 out of 5 for privacy and StartMail 3.5. Tuta gives you encryption that means even the provider can't read your mail and open-source apps anyone can check.
Is Tuta cheaper than StartMail?
Tuta is cheaper. Its Revolutionary plan is About €3 a month, yearly, against $4.99 a month for StartMail's Personal. Tuta also has a free plan. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Can I use my own domain with Tuta or StartMail?
Yes, both do. Tuta: 3 domains on its cheapest plan that allows one. StartMail: 1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one.
Where is my email stored with Tuta and StartMail?
Tuta keeps it in Germany. StartMail keeps it in the Netherlands.
Can I use Tuta and StartMail in Apple Mail or Outlook?
Tuta only works in its own apps. StartMail works in any mail app over IMAP.
Recent price changes
Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Tuta news · StartMail news.
Not sold on either? Try these
Tuta vs mailbox.org · StartMail vs mailbox.org · Tuta vs Posteo · StartMail vs Posteo · Tuta vs Proton Mail · StartMail vs Proton Mail
How to switch
Ready to move? My step-by-step guides cover your mail, contacts, forwarding and your own domain: Tuta to StartMail · StartMail to Tuta.