Recommended Email Providers
#tech #privacy #email
Over the years, I’ve tried nearly every privacy-conscious email provider out there. Some I prefer more than others, but overall, I haven’t had any serious issues with any of them.
Despite the wide variety, I keep coming back to Fastmail — and for good reason.
Before diving into specifics, let’s be clear: all of the providers below are significantly more privacy-friendly than the usual “free” options like Gmail or Outlook. Google’s email service, for example, has a history of scanning inbox contents for advertising purposes, showing ads in your inbox, and other questionable practices. Microsoft’s offerings aren’t much better. And your ISP’s email service? AOL? Just don’t.
A good rule of thumb: if it’s free, assume you’re the product.
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What I Look For
When choosing an email provider, I prioritize: • Support for open protocols: IMAP, SMTP, CalDAV, and CardDAV • Colocation of email, calendar, and contacts • Accessible and reliable services across all devices
Having everything integrated makes web interfaces and apps far more useful. The one exception I’ve made to these standards is Proton, due to its strong reputation and a security model that doesn’t play well with open protocols — at least not yet.
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A Note on Privacy
It’s important to remember that email, by design, isn’t very private — think of it like a postcard in the mail. If you’re sending sensitive information, use Signal or another end-to-end encrypted tool. Proton does protect your data at rest and in transit, but true privacy depends on the recipient’s setup. If both parties aren’t using Proton or OpenPGP, privacy is limited.
Additionally, your provider’s jurisdiction matters. Some countries offer better legal privacy protections than others. Always consider where your provider is based and how that might affect your data.
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Why I Stick With Fastmail
Fastmail stands out for its: • Polished and reliable user experience • Integrated mail, calendar, and contacts • Long-standing support for open standards • Useful features like masked email addresses and tracking pixel blocking • Strong privacy stance and public advocacy
Its servers are located in the U.S. and Australia — not ideal privacy-wise — but the company makes a concerted effort to mitigate those concerns.
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Comparison of Providers
Here’s a quick overview of other providers I’ve used and evaluated:
Mailbox.org • Based in Germany (EU privacy laws 👍) • Comparable to Fastmail in features • Offers extras like an office suite and video conferencing • Slightly less polished experience
Posteo • Also based in Germany • Strong privacy posture — no custom domain support to preserve anonymity • No frills, but extremely privacy-focused • No tracking, ad-free, and runs entirely on green energy
Mailfence • Based in Belgium • Offers mail, calendar, contacts, documents, and messaging • Comparable to Mailbox.org in both features and polish
Runbox • Based in Norway • Friendly support and full protocol support • Web interface is outdated; Runbox 7 is in the works but still in transition • Best used with external email clients for now
Soverin • Netherlands-based • Great branding, minimalist and reliable • Very little has changed over the years — but in infrastructure, that’s often a good thing
Startmail • Based in the Netherlands • No CalDAV or CardDAV support (dealbreaker for me) • Offers anonymous aliases and PGP support • Good if paired with a separate calendar/contact server like Baïkal
Migadu • Based in Switzerland • Stable and dependable, but slow to evolve • Offers basic CalDAV and CardDAV support • Best suited for users who prioritize simplicity over bells and whistles
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Final Thoughts
Every provider listed here is better than the major ad-driven services. If privacy, open standards, and reliability matter to you, any of them could be a solid choice depending on your needs.
For me, Fastmail hits the right balance — enough polish to make daily use pleasant, and enough privacy to keep me comfortable. That said, your location, values, and requirements might lead you to a different pick — and that’s okay. Choose the provider that fits you best.
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Let me know if you’d like this formatted for a specific platform (like Medium or Substack), or if you want a visual comparison table included.