Mailbox.org vs Fastmail
Both are free/open-source alternatives to Gmail. Here's how they stack up — verified facts, no spin.
Mailbox.org
German privacy-focused mail with a full office suite — standards-based.
Mailbox.org is a German, privacy-respecting email host for people who want a professional, standards-based inbox (IMAP/SMTP, custom domains) with an integrated office suite and calendar, powered by 100% renewable energy. It offers PGP encryption and an encrypted-mailbox option, but it's a commercial, closed service rather than open-source — the honest “privacy-friendly and full-featured, without encryption-first constraints” pick.
Fastmail
Fast, reliable, standards-based mail — the productivity pick.
Fastmail is a long-running independent email host (Australian) built for speed, reliability, and standards support rather than encryption. It doesn't offer end-to-end encryption, but it doesn't scan your mail, sell your data, or show ads — you're the paying customer, not the product. Excellent custom-domain support, great apps, and best-in-class deliverability make it the honest pick when you want to leave Gmail for independence and quality without the constraints E2E encryption imposes.
Side by side
| Mailbox.org | Fastmail | |
|---|---|---|
| Sovereignty Score | 50 | 45 |
| Open source | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No |
| Local-first | No | No |
| License | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Pricing | From about €1/month (Light) up to office and business tiers; custom domains supported | From about $5/user/month; 30-day free trial; custom domains included |
Mailbox.org edges it on the Sovereignty Score, but the right pick depends on the trade-offs below.
Mailbox.org
Strengths
- +Cheap, standards-based (IMAP/SMTP), custom domains
- +German/EU privacy law; PGP support and an encrypted-mailbox option
- +Integrated calendar, contacts, and office suite
Trade-offs
- −Closed-source, commercial service
- −Not end-to-end by default (PGP is opt-in)
- −Interface is more utilitarian than polished
Fastmail
Strengths
- +Fast and reliable, with excellent IMAP/JMAP standards support
- +No ads and no data selling — you're the customer
- +Superb custom-domain and multi-identity handling
Trade-offs
- −No end-to-end encryption
- −Closed-source, commercial service
- −Australian jurisdiction (Five Eyes) may matter to some
Facts verified 2026-07-14. Licenses and pricing change — spotted something out of date? That's a correction we want.