Startmail vs Mailfence Comparison (2025)

What are the differences between Startmail and Mailfence?

Forward Email Team
Written by
Forward Email TeamVerified
Published
7/1/25
Time to read
Less than 5 minutes
We recommend Forward Email as the best alternative to Startmail.

Email Service Comparison

20 facts in comparison
Startmailvs.Mailfence

Startmail

Private email you can trust
"Private email you can trust"
  • Hardenize Test
  • Internet.nl Site Test
  • Internet.nl Mail Test
  • Mozilla HTTP Observatory Grade
  • Qualys SSL Labs SSL Server Test
vs.

Mailfence

Secure and private email
"Secure and private email"
  • Hardenize Test
  • Internet.nl Site Test
  • Internet.nl Mail Test
  • Mozilla HTTP Observatory Grade
  • Qualys SSL Labs SSL Server Test
$7/moPricing$3.50/mo
20 GBStorage10 GB
25 MBAttachments50 MB
NoOpen-SourceNo
❌ Startmail claims to use a User Vault, but this statement has not been audited and their source code is closed-sourceSandboxed Encryption No
NoUnlimited DomainsNo
NoUnlimited AliasesNo
NoTTI No
YesSMTPYes
YesIMAPYes
YesPOP3Yes
NoAPINo
⚠️ Supported if both sender and recipient are using OpenPGPE2EE ⚠️ Opt-in
⚠️ Supports OpenPGP, but does not support WKDOpenPGP Yes
NoWKD Yes

Email Service Screenshots

Closed-source

Startmail

Startmail is a closed-source email service. Its description from its website is: Private email you can trust

Startmail is a closed-source email service.
Screenshot by Forward Email
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Closed-source

Mailfence

Mailfence is a closed-source email service. Its description from its website is: Secure and private email

Mailfence is a closed-source email service.
Photo by Forward Email
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Compare Startmail with 78 email services