Zoho Mail vs Runbox
In short: Runbox wins on privacy, Zoho Mail wins on price, and they tie on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 22 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Zoho Mail is the better pick if you want a cheaper plan, at $1 per user a month, yearly and a free plan before you pay anything.
- Runbox is the better pick if you want more space for your mail: 10 GB; apps whose code is public; and a company with a longer track record (since 2000).
| Feature | Zoho Mail | Runbox |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.0 | 3.5 |
| Privacy | 1.5 | 3.0 |
| Price | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Mail Lite $1 per user a month, yearly | Mini $34.95 a year |
| Free plan | Yes, up to 5 users, 5 GB, own domain | No (30-day trial) |
| Storage | 5 GB | 10 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Yes | ✓ Up to 5 |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | India | Norway |
| Your data is kept in | EU (Amsterdam, Dublin); UK data centre announced for 2026, not confirmed live | Norway |
| Founded | 2008 | 2000 |
| Free trial | 15 days free, and a free plan for small teams | 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 | Yes | 100 aliases |
| Open-source apps | No | ✓ Yes |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | Unknown | No |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
Where they differ
- On price: Zoho Mail Mail Lite at $1 per user a month, yearly, against Runbox Mini at $34.95 a year.
- For free, Zoho Mail gives you a free plan (up to 5 users, 5 GB, own domain), and Runbox no free plan.
- Zoho Mail comes with 5 GB of storage and Runbox with 10 GB of storage.
- Your mail is stored in the EU (Amsterdam, Dublin); UK data centre announced for 2026, not confirmed live with Zoho Mail, and in Norway with Runbox.
- Zoho Mail is based in India and Runbox in Norway, so different privacy laws apply.
- For extra addresses, Zoho Mail has yes and Runbox has 100 aliases.
Questions people ask
Which is more private, Zoho Mail or Runbox?
Runbox scores 3 out of 5 for privacy and Zoho Mail 1.5. Runbox gives you apps whose code is public.
Which is cheaper, Zoho Mail or Runbox?
Zoho Mail is cheaper. Its Mail Lite plan is $1 per user a month, yearly, against $34.95 a year for Runbox's Mini. Zoho Mail also has a free plan. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Do Zoho Mail and Runbox work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. Zoho Mail: Yes. Runbox: Up to 5.
Where do Zoho Mail and Runbox keep my email?
Zoho Mail keeps it in the EU (Amsterdam, Dublin); UK data centre announced for 2026, not confirmed live. Runbox keeps it in Norway.
Recent price changes
No price changes for either since 22 October 2026. I check regularly and add any change here with its date.
The latest headlines: Zoho Mail news · Runbox news.
Also worth a look
Zoho Mail vs mailbox.org · Runbox vs mailbox.org · Zoho Mail vs Posteo · Runbox vs Posteo · Zoho Mail vs Proton Mail · Runbox vs Proton Mail
How to switch
Ready to move? My step-by-step guides cover your mail, contacts, forwarding and your own domain: Zoho Mail to Runbox · Runbox to Zoho Mail.