Ease of use and familiarity often put Gmail and Microsoft Outlook at the top of the list of email providers, but one downside to these services can be a lack of privacy. If security is a priority for you, it might be time to consider switching to one of the more secure email providers. An alternative messaging service for those looking to protect their data is StartMail; an easy-to-use, privacy-first webmail service with premium security and encryption. In this StartMail review, we'll discuss the platform's pricing and core features, and come to a final verdict on whether StartMail is worth the investment.
StartMail prices are very competitive (Image credit: StartMail)
Packages and prices
While StartMail comes at a price, its premium privacy and security features are very affordable. Upon entering the website, users can choose between two packages: personal or professional. Both plans cost €59.95 per year, although the personal account is currently offered at €35.99 for the first year. Both plans offer unlimited aliases, PGP email encryption, full IMAP/SMTP support, 10GB of storage, and the ability to pay with Bitcoin, though the Business account also offers domain support, custom billing, and centralized billing. Signing up for either plan requires a one-year commitment, so the lack of a monthly payment option may put off those who need more flexibility. However, before committing to a paid account, newbies are encouraged to start with a seven-day free trial.
StartMail provides a variety of features for users seeking privacy and security (Image credit: StartMail)
Features
StartMail provides many features for privacy and ease of use. We'll cover some of the more notable ones below. StartMail is a webmail service, which means you don't have to worry about installing or downloading software on time. You can access your email directly from your browser. Setup is easy and new users are through the process in minutes. Business users can even choose to use a custom domain with StartMail, and it's also possible to access their mail from other email programs like Outlook or Apple Mail, thanks to IMAP/SMTP compatibility. Find out how to do it on the StartMail website. Creating an alias allows you to send and receive mail from an address other than your main StartMail account. This means that if you don't want to share your real email address or personal details, you can create a disposable address, and as many times as you want! This not only ensures an even higher level of privacy, but also helps keep your main account free from spam. You can create two different types of aliases with StartMail: a custom alias, where you choose your own address, or a quick alias, where the system assigns a name. Additionally, if you are using a business account, you can also create a third type of alias that ends with your own custom domain name. As a bonus, every StartMail account comes with 10GB of cloud storage in a personal vault, so you won't run out of space for your sensitive communications.
StartMail's user interface is clean and simple (Image credit: StartMail)
Interface and in use
StartMail's fully responsive website provides a user-friendly platform for your webmail service. Setting up a trial account is easy, requiring only a few personal details, although payment information is required, which means you risk being billed for an annual subscription if you forget to cancel. The platform's general interface mimics what you'd see in a typical email provider: folders like drafts, sent mail, and the recycle bin are easily located in the left-hand column, with the classic split-screen view available. The StartMail service is designed to work as an application on the web or phone browser, with access to all privacy features, such as encryption and accessible aliases. To easily access emails on your phone or tablet, you can add the StartMail website to your home screen or use an existing email app on your device by enabling an IMAP connection.
StartMail offers many support options for its users (Image credit: StartMail)
Support
If you need help getting started with the StartMail service, it's reassuring to know that you can easily access the online knowledge base filled with helpful articles and guides, as well as the StartMail email help desk, FAQ forum, and support. telephone. Take a look at what is offered here.
fullfilment of security requirements
User privacy and security are at the heart of the StartMail service. Based in the Netherlands, StartMail adheres to the EU GDPR and Dutch privacy laws, which are among the strictest in the world. As a result, StartMail users are protected against intrusions and unwarranted surveillance. StartMail does not collect any user information, does not sell any of your data or read your emails. Each account has its own encrypted vault where emails are stored, with messages encrypted before delivery to ensure only the intended recipients can read them. Emails can be further encrypted with OpenPGP. Enabling this feature means that your message can only be opened after entering a password, even if the recipient of your emails does not use encryption. Additionally, you can choose to enable two-factor authentication.
ProtonMail is another secure email provider worth checking out (Image credit: ProtonMail)
Competition
StartMail's service is innovative, but it has worthy competitors. Secure email providers like ProtonMail and Zoho Mail offer similar functionality, and both offer end-to-end encryption, great security features, and easy-to-use interfaces. One feature StartMail lacks is a long-term free plan, which both alternatives offer. However, these come with limitations like restricted storage capacities and a daily limit on sending messages.
Final verdict
Premium privacy and security features make StartMail the ideal email service for individuals or businesses who regularly send sensitive information. With unlimited aliases, massive amounts of storage, and top-notch encryption, StartMail is a no-brainer for those looking to get away from more easily hackable services like Gmail or Outlook. The price may be off, but you get unparalleled privacy and security, along with high-quality service and a clean user interface.