Zoho Mail vs StartMail
On privacy it's StartMail. On price it's Zoho Mail. On features it's StartMail. Here's everything side by side, last checked 22 October 2026.
Should you pick Zoho Mail or StartMail?
- Choose Zoho Mail if you want the lower price ($1 per user a month, yearly); a free plan to start on; and more years of history: it started in 2008.
- StartMail suits you best if you want more space for your mail: 20 GB.
| Feature | Zoho Mail | StartMail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Privacy | 1.5 | 3.5 |
| Price | 5.0 | 3.5 |
| Features | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Mail Lite $1 per user a month, yearly | Personal $4.99 a month |
| Free plan | Yes, up to 5 users, 5 GB, own domain | No (7-day trial) |
| Storage | 5 GB | 20 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Yes | ✓ 1 |
| End-to-end encryption | No | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) |
| Company based in | India | Netherlands |
| Your data is kept in | EU (Amsterdam, Dublin); UK data centre announced for 2026, not confirmed live | Netherlands |
| Founded | 2008 | 2014 |
| Free trial | 15 days free, and a free plan for small teams | 7 days free |
| Funded by advertising | No | No |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Aliases | Yes | Unlimited throwaway addresses |
| Open-source apps | No | No |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | Unknown | No |
| Reader offer | None | Offer 50% off |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
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Where they differ
- Cheapest plans: Zoho Mail Mail Lite, $1 per user a month, yearly. StartMail Personal, $4.99 a month.
- Zoho Mail has a free plan (up to 5 users, 5 GB, own domain); StartMail has no free plan.
- Space: Zoho Mail gives 5 GB of storage, StartMail 20 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 the Netherlands with StartMail.
- The companies sit under different laws: Zoho Mail in India, StartMail in Netherlands.
- On encryption, Zoho Mail doesn't encrypt mail end to end, whereas StartMail offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage).
- Aliases: Zoho Mail offers yes, StartMail unlimited throwaway addresses.
Common questions
Is Zoho Mail more private than StartMail?
StartMail scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and Zoho Mail 1.5.
Is Zoho Mail cheaper than StartMail?
Zoho Mail is cheaper. Its Mail Lite plan is $1 per user a month, yearly, against $4.99 a month for StartMail's Personal. Zoho Mail 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 Zoho Mail or StartMail?
Yes, both do. Zoho Mail: Yes. StartMail: 1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one.
Where is my email stored with Zoho Mail and StartMail?
Zoho Mail keeps it in the EU (Amsterdam, Dublin); UK data centre announced for 2026, not confirmed live. StartMail keeps it in the Netherlands.
Prices and the latest news
Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Zoho Mail news · StartMail news.
Alternatives to Zoho Mail and StartMail
Zoho Mail vs mailbox.org · StartMail vs mailbox.org · Zoho Mail vs Posteo · StartMail vs Posteo · Zoho Mail 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: Zoho Mail to StartMail · StartMail to Zoho Mail.