Posted by Anastasiia Kryzhanovska on December 13, 2022
Anastasiia Kryzhanovska
Senior Content Manager
Anastasiia is a content marketer and manager with a strong IT background, passionate about storytelling and SEO. She likes creating high-quality content and helping others develop their skills. Besides work, she loves traveling, extreme sports, and reading fantasy books.
Published on December 13, 2022 Last Updated on March 24, 2023
Is that spam folder driving you mad, or the privacy settings are too vague? Or maybe you’re tired of using Fastmail through your browser, phone, or worse — with a malfunctioning desktop client? Then it’s time to explore some Fastmail alternatives, choose a new provider, and pair your account with a high-performing email client like Mailbird.
We’ve done the grunt work of analyzing ten alternative to Fastmail email providers that offer secure email accounts. We’ll discuss their features, pros and cons, and draw up a verdict on each service.
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There are dozens of provider features that improve your daily communication. Here are some characteristics we encourage you to look out for:
Two-factor or multifactor authentication
End-to-end encryption
PGP encryption
Metadata encryption
Anti-spam filters
Custom Domains
Alias Email Addresses
Layouts and Themes
Calendar
User Support
As you can see, there are lots of elements to consider in an email provider, but fear not — we put Fastmail and the other ten alternative to Fastmail providers through these criteria. Here’s how they measured up.
What Is Fastmail? A Brief Overview
Fastmail is a platform that provides domain hosting and email services. The webmail is easy to use and would suite an entrepreneur who needs a lot of email addresses to manage different aspects of their business.
There are, however, concerns that Fastmail encryption is subpar, and the overall service is rather slow. Moreover, the mobile app interface is a bit clunky. These are just a few reasons why users choose to go looking for an alternative that can offer a more secure email account.
While your messages are confidential when sending and receiving, Fastmail is not PGP encrypted. It does not have a zero-knowledge policy, and some of your metadata (like subject lines) still pass through the servers unprotected.
Fastmail Reviews
Trustpilot – 4/5
Fastmail Pricing
There are three Fastmail plans that range mostly in storage capacity and customization option:
Basic – $3/month, 2 GB of storage
Standard – $5/month, 30 GB of storage, your own Fastmail custom domain
Professional – $9/month, 100 GB of storage, email retention archive
The more advanced plans ensure Fastmail signup on different email apps, which the basic plan doesn’t include.
The Final Verdict on Fastmail
Overall, Fastmail is a good email provider. It supports custom domains and multiple accounts with unique aliases, which is useful for business email. Fastmail subscribers could look into a desktop client to heighten their email experience, but this is only available on the Standard and Professional plans.
On the other hand, it doesn’t offer the entire suite of security features that many users who have left Google are looking for. Some Fastmail customers also started looking for alternatives because of privacy concerns. As an Australian company, it is a part of the Five Eyes Intelligence Alliance, so your data may at some point be privy to certain authorities. The overall consensus comes down to how important zero-knowledge policies are to you.
We played around with the latest version and read up on recent Fastmail reviews in order to give you an accurate comparison with its competitors.
ProtonMail
ProtonMail is a popular Fastmail alternative these days because it is a modern answer to those looking for a secure email provider. The company is known for cool features (like self-destruct email), a super sleek interface, and Swiss privacy laws.
Based in Switzerland, ProtonMail operates outside of US and EU jurisdiction. ProtonMail says that they only save a cryptographic hash of your email or phone number, and it’s not permanently associated with your account.
Features
2-factor authentication
End-to-end and PGP encryption
Self-destruct emails
Additional storage
Customizable layout and theme
IMAP/SMTP support
Custom domains
Email aliases
Encrypted calendar for Android and web
Administrator role
Reviews
G2 – 4.4/5
Pricing
Free version – limited features (e.g., no custom domain, only one email address)
ProtonMail Plus – $5/month, 5 GB of storage, five email addresses
ProtonMail Professional – $8/month, two custom domains, up to five email addresses per user, and unlimited messages
ProtonMail Visionary – $30/month, 20 GB of storage, VPN service
Pros and Cons
Encrypted messages for non-ProtonMail recipients
Doesn’t harvest your data
VPN service
Ad-free
Metadata is not 100% encrypted
No calendar for iOS yet
Smaller-than-average storage space
You cannot search the message body due to encryption
27/7 support is only available for paid accounts
Verdict: Fastmail vs. ProtonMail
For a provider that can handle sensitive information, ProtonMail is a solid option. The fact that it is a Swiss company built by engineers focused on privacy and security doesn’t go unnoticed. It is a good Fastmail alternative for businesses, especially because of positives like the ProtonMail Bridge (an app that decrypts and encrypts the mail on your desktop).
Tutanota
Tutanota is completely open-source encrypted email service known for a number of security aspects. With more storage and a lot of similar perks, like iOS and Android apps and spam protection, the free plan is slightly stronger than the one from ProtonMail.
In addition, Tutanota is known for being an environmentally friendly platform (using renewable energy) and has some strong encrypted features, like their zero-knowledge calendar.
Free plan – 1 GB of storage, encryption, and privacy options
Premium – $1.43/month, custom email addresses, 1 GB of storage, unlimited searches, and other perks like inbox rules
Teams – $5.73/month, 10 GB of storage, custom logos and colors, administrative dashboard
Pros and Cons
Session handling
Zero-knowledge calendar
Renewable energy
Metadata encryption
Up to 1 TB of storage
48-hour hold on accounts
Free plan search is limited to emails sent within the last month.
No user support on the free plan
No PGP encryption
Doesn’t support IMAP
Verdict: Fastmail vs. Tutanota
Considering the different security measures and the opportunity to mix and match different features of the plan, we recommend Tutanota as an email provider. We think it’d be an even better option if it supported IMAP.
Google Workspace
Google provides an email service as part of its Office suite, or the Workspace. It has a convenient web interface that many people use for personal and business matters.
Gmail is a fully accessible mail client and an email service that pioneered many email management features like send later and undo send. Aside from the Gmail webmail, you can also create Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Calendars and store them on Google Drive.
Features
2-factor and biometric verification
Custom domains
Email aliases
Additional storage
Unsubscribe button
Custom filters
Suspicious login identification
Add-ons
Reviews
G2 – 4.6/5
Pricing
Free – limited storage
Business Starter – $6/month, 30 GB of storage, customer support
Business Standard – $12/month, 2 TB of storage, customer support
Business Plus – $18/month, 5 TB of storage, customer support, enhanced security
Pros and Cons
Integration with Drive, Docs, Sheets, and other Gmail products
Productivity app add-ons and integrations
Advanced email search options
Spam filtering that you can adjust to your preferences
Available on all platforms — Windows, Mac, and mobile
There are some privacy concerns
Ad-targeting in the free version
Verdict: Fastmail vs. Gmail
Gmail and Google Workspace are a go-to for many businesses and individual users alike. As a Fastmail alternative, Gmail is more affordable, offers more free storage, and is more versatile. In terms of security features, Gmail has some interesting functionality, like suspicious email account login identification, though it doesn’t support PGP encryption either.
Mailfence
Mailfence is a Belgium-based ad-free and spy-free secure email service. The webmail is known for its clean interface and highly rated user experience. Mailfence doesn’t have a free version, but you can pay with cryptocurrency for any of the plans.
The service is also endorsed by the Mozilla Foundation, so it pairs nicely with Thunderbird, if that is the email client of your choice.
Features
2-factor authentication
Encrypted calendars, contacts, and groups
PGP encryption
Custom domains
Self-destructing emails
Spam filters
Shared inboxes
Document editor
Reviews
Trustpilot – 4/5
Pricing
Free – 1 GB of email + document storage, email support
Entry – €2.50/month, 5 GB of storage, ten aliases, and email and phone support
Pro – €7.50/month, 20 + 24 GB of storage, 50 aliases, and priority support
Ultra – €25/month, 50 + 70 GB of storage, 100 aliases, and priority 24/7 support
Pros and Cons
Doesn’t track your personal data
Allows cryptocurrency payments
Good customer support
Great range of features
Clean but unsophisticated user interface
No mobile app
Logs user data
Verdict: Fastmail vs. Mailfence
Mailfence offers good user experience. Even if it’s not the most sophisticated email service, it’s still very pleasant to use and easy to comprehend. Besides, it has a responsive support team, even for free users.
Some downsides include the lack of theme customization options and limited free storage. Also, though it doesn’t track personal information, the service does log IP, browser, and a few other types of data, which is questionable in terms of email security.
Posteo
Posteo is a front-runner as an alternative to Fastmail because they really understand the concept of a secure, easy-to-use email provider.
Posteo, which is based out of Germany, has a long list of privacy and security features. The most standout is probably that they put a lot of effort into reducing how much information they store or collect. It also has a very nice tool called the Email Collector that is used for automatically migrating emails over to your Posteo account from another provider for up to three months.
Features
2-factor verification
End-to-end encryption
PGP encryption
Additional storage
Email aliases
Merging up to five external calendars
Email Collector
Sender filter rules
Regular email support
Reviews
ProPrivacy – 4/5
Pricing
$1.13 USD/month with 2 GB of storage. You can also buy additional storage at 0.30 USD per each GB.
Pros and Cons
There are many encryption options
The company is eco-friendly
Help section provides detailed troubleshooting information
Doesn’t collect IP addresses
No custom domains
No custom domain option
No spam folder
The interface feels a bit old-school
Verdict: Fastmail vs. Posteo
Posteo is a strong alternative to Fastmail. You’ll get more ways to encrypt your data and stay away from advertisers and spammers. It is a very transparent company that cares about their mission statement, as well as the climate.
For business use, Posteo is a decent option only if you are not client-facing. Without custom domains, it’s hard to make a case for this provider.
Zoho Mail
Zoho Mail is a well-known business email address and web hosting account provider. It integrates various other tools that complete email management, such as Calendars, Tasks, Contacts, and Notes. On par with Google, Zoho tools are also more feature-rich than Fastmail or any of the other alternatives.
Features
2-factor authentication
DDoS protection
Spam filters
Advanced search options
Search history
Email templates
Offline access
Custom domains
Email aliases
Reviews
G2 – 4.4/5
Pricing
Free – 5 GB of storage, one domain hosting, and basic features
Mail Lite– $1/month per user, 5 GB of storage, aliases, offline access, integration widgets, and task management
Mail Premium – $4/month per user, 50 GB of storage, 1 TB attachment limit, calendar, white labelling, S-MIME security improvement
Workplace – starting at $3/moth per user, added intranet, online file manager, instant chat, secure business email, and other features
Pros and Cons
Intuitive interface
A good variety of customization options
Integration with other Zoho products, like their CRM
It’s ad-free
Collects user data for third-party use
Interface customization could be more flexible
Verdict: Fastmail vs. Zoho Mail
The service provider offers a good functionality with its webmail interface that is definitely more flexible than Fastmail. Though it claims to be privacy-focused and has supports many security features, Zoho Mail collects marketing data, which can be a concern for many users.
iCloud Mail
iCloud Mail is the email service provided by Apple that supports the native minimalist and clean-cut design. iCloud doesn’t have a webmail app, but you can open it with Apple Mail or any other email client. This also means that the service supports the same interface features as the app you’re using.
It does, however, add its own functionality to the table, which isn’t limited to cloud storage. The service is generally free, but you can buy more space for your emails and attachments.
Features
2-factor authentication
End-to-end encryption
Reliable antivirus protection
Additional storage
Custom domains
Spam filters
Reviews
G2 – 4.3/5
Pros and Cons
The service doesn’t collect personal information
Apple support
Free of ad targeting
Apple retains control over encryption keys
The features are limited by the email client you’re using
Pricing
Free — 5 GB of storage
$0.99/month — 50 GB of storage
$2.99/month — 200 GB of storage
$9.99/month — 2 TB of storage
Verdict: Fastmail vs. iCloud
iCloud Mail is a nice basic service that offers relatively high security as all Apple products. The lack of unique functionality may be a pro as well, since it won’t interfere with the email client you’re using. This does however mean that you need some sort of app to view and manage emails.
StartMail
StartMail is a unique email service provider that allows you to create disposable yet professional email addresses. This means that you have access to an unlimited email addresses with unique aliases you can create, use, and delete at any time.
It’s the perfect solution when you need to keep your real personal or business address anonymous. For example, if you want to check out a website or download an e-book, but don’t want any company contacting you with spam or promotions.
Features
2-factor authentication
PGP encryption
Encrypted storage
Rich text messages
Password protection
Unlimited aliases
Reviews
PCMag – 4/5
Pricing
Free 7-day trial
Personal – $35.99/year, 10 GB of encrypted storage vault
Business – $59.95/year, 10 GB of encrypted storage vault, custom domain
Pros and Cons
Sleek and convenient user interface
Email and phone support
Allows cryptocurrency payments
Doesn’t collect marketing data
Allows communicating with addresses from other services
Ad-free
It’s not for everyday use
No mobile app
Verdict: Fastmail vs. StartMail
StartMail has a specific application – it’s the only email service provider on the list that allows keeping your personal and business addresses anonymous while allowing you all perks of email communication. Though the service is fairly expensive, you’re paying for security, support, and an ad-free experience.
At the same time, it can’t completely substitute a daily-use email account that you may use for work collaboration or other matters.
Runbox
Runbox is an open-source web hosting service that has a lightweight and functional webmail interface. Since its primary function is as a hosting, you use the service with one or more previously registered domain names, depending on your subscription plan.
Features
2-factor authentication
Spam and virus filters
IP stripping
Email ticket support
Custom domains
Email aliases
Subaccounts for teams
Reviews
Mouthshut – 3.5/5
Pricing
Free trial
Micro – $19.95/year, 2 GB of email storage, 200 MB of file storage space
Mini – $34.95/year, 10 GB of email storage, 1 GB of file storage space
Medium – $45.95/year, 25 GB of email storage, 2 GB of file storage space
Max – $79.95/year, 50 GB of email storage, 5 GB of file storage space
Pros and Cons
Doesn’t track user activity
Allows cryptocurrency payments
High security hygiene in the company
60-day money-back guarantee
Ad-free
Doesn’t offer native encryption
Clunky user interface
Webmail only
Verdict: Fastmail vs. Runbox
If you need domain hosting services in addition to an email inbox, Runbox may be an option for you. It offers more security options than Fastmail, as well as more storage options.
The main downside that users note is that the price is too high for what the service offer, though if you count divide it, the monthly pay doesn’t differ much from the other alternatives.
AOL Mail
AOL Mail is a tried and tested email service that has been around since the early 90s and has more than 170 million user accounts worldwide. It offers a lightweight user interface, simple use, and a native sign in page in most email clients.
AOL Mail offers a simple email management experience, though the feature set is limited. For example, you can choose one of five domain names, but not a custom one.
This is a good Fastmail alternative if you need an email service for personal use. Especially, if you’re looking for simplicity.
Improve Your Email Experience with Mailbird!
Most email providers, including Fastmail, don’t have desktop apps. The good news is that if they allow for email protocols like IMAP, they can support a secure email client, like Mailbird. And unlike many email clients, Mailbird supports the Microsoft Exchange Server.
Features
Let us walk through the benefits of using our software paired with your favorite email providers:
Managing multiple accounts in one space. For example, you can add multiple Google accounts and view each inbox separately or together with our Unified Inbox feature. You’ll also gain access to some tools, integrations, and storage your email provider doesn’t have.
Advanced customization and tools. There are many aspects to our software that are specifically designed to bring organization to your workflow. Such features include advanced search, layout and theme options, and notifications.
Productivity features. Mailbird provides convenient functionality that allows you to organize your email management tasks more efficiently. Such include the snooze button, speed reader, group conversations, in-line replies, LinkedIn Lookup, and keyboard shortcuts.
App Integrations
Access your apps within Mailbird, so you don’t have to open new tabs or log in every single time. As long as you have an account, you can use Dropbox, Telegram, Slack, Asana, any of the Google Workspace tools (like Google Calendar and Google Drive), WhatsApp, Twitter, and FormSwift to make remote work feel more connected.
Easy Setup
We’ve made it super easy to set up your email providers like Fastmail, Posteo, Tutanota, Gmail, and hundreds more.
If you’re ready to give it a try, follow these simple steps to get started.
In our pursuit to determine the best email clients in the market, we meticulously implemented a thorough testing process. This involved setting up accounts with each email client, whether as a standalone software platform or as a cloud-based service. Our aim was to explore the capabilities of each platform in various scenarios, putting their functionalities to the test in order to assess their overall performance.
We carefully evaluated the basic tools and functionality of each email client, and then explored its advanced features to determine their ease of use and accessibility. This comprehensive approach enabled us to provide an in-depth evaluation of each email client’s strengths, weaknesses, and suitability for different use cases.
A Quick Recap
Hopefully you’ve found this article a helpful step towards finding an easy and trustworthy email provider. To give you the full scope of what was discussed, there is a chart after the FAQ section with all the features the Fastmail alternatives do or do not offer.
What are some alternatives to Fastmail?
ProtonMail, Tutanota and Posteo are three email provider options that are alternatives to Fastmail. Each one has its own specialties, however they share the common goal of privacy and security.
How do I get Fastmail for free?
Fastmail is a paid email provider. You can set up a trial account and wait to pay for the subscription. When the payment is overdue, the account will be disabled.
Is ProtonMail free?
ProtonMail has a free plan that offers 500 MB of storage, 150 messages per day, and one email address. You cannot create a custom domain on the free plan.
How much does Posteo cost?
Posteo is $1.13 USD per month. You can add additional storage or features for a nominal fee.
Is Tutanota better than ProtonMail?
There are a few standout differences between these two email providers, so it would depend on what is a priority for you or your business. ProtonMail has a more modern interface and custom administrative features. Tutanota offers more storage on their free plan. Tutanota has its own desktop client whereas ProtonMail uses IMAP to enable you to connect to your favorite email client.
Compatible with Mailbird
2-factor verification
PGP encryption
Custom domains
Email aliases
Mobile app
Fastmail
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ProtonMail
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Tutanota
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Google Workspace
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Mailfence
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Posteo
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Zoho Mail
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iCloudMail
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StartMail
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Runbox
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AOL Mail
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