Is Tuta better than StartMail?

Tuta ranks higher in our list of secure email providers (#2 against #4, score 90.0 against 85.5). StartMail is best for: paid private email with PGP and custom domains. Tuta is best for: encrypted email and calendar on a free plan.

Which is cheaper, StartMail or Tuta?

StartMail: Paid from $4.99 a month after a 7-day free trial. Tuta: Free plan with 1 GB; paid plans for more storage and domains.

Do StartMail and Tuta run on the same platforms?

StartMail supports Web. Tuta supports Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux.

StartMail vs Tuta: Which Is Better? (2026)

85.5
Editorial score
90.0
1
Platforms
6
No
Free to use
Yes
No
Open source
Yes

Which should you choose?

Choose StartMail if you want

Paid private email with PGP and custom domains.

Hosted in the Netherlands, with PGP encryption in the web app, unlimited aliases and no ads. It has no free plan beyond a 7-day trial that asks for payment details, so it costs money from the start.

Choose Tuta if you want

Encrypted email and calendar on a free plan.

End-to-end encrypted mail and calendar on a free plan with post-quantum encryption, open-source clients under GPLv3 and servers in Germany. The free plan has only 1 GB of storage.

The main differences

Only Tuta runs on Linux.
Only Tuta runs on Windows.
Only Tuta runs on macOS.
Only Tuta runs on iOS.
Only Tuta runs on Android.
Tuta is open source; StartMail is not.
Tuta can be used for free; StartMail requires payment.

Side by side

	StartMail	Tuta
Score	85.5	90.0
Rank in list	#4 of 10	#2 of 10
Price	SubscriptionPaid from $4.99 a month after a 7-day free trial	Free plan, paid upgradesFree plan with 1 GB; paid plans for more storage and domains
Free to use	No	Yes
Open source	No	Yes
Platforms	WebWeb	WebiOSAndroidWindowsmacOSLinuxWeb, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux
Made by	Not stated	Not stated
Encryption	PGP and password-protected replies	End-to-end, post-quantum
Hosting base	Netherlands	Germany (servers)
Free plan	No	Yes
Best for	Paid private email with PGP and custom domains	Encrypted email and calendar on a free plan
Strengths	Hosted in the Netherlands under Dutch and EU privacy law PGP encryption and password-protected replies	Free plan with end-to-end encrypted mail and calendar Clients published under GPLv3 Servers based in Germany
Limits	No free plan beyond the 7-day trial The free trial asks for payment details	Free plan includes only 1 GB of storage Custom domains need a paid plan
Links	Visit site	Visit site

Questions about StartMail vs Tuta

Is Tuta better than StartMail?: Tuta ranks higher in our list of secure email providers (#2 against #4, score 90.0 against 85.5). StartMail is best for: paid private email with PGP and custom domains. Tuta is best for: encrypted email and calendar on a free plan.
Which is cheaper, StartMail or Tuta?: StartMail: Paid from $4.99 a month after a 7-day free trial. Tuta: Free plan with 1 GB; paid plans for more storage and domains.
Do StartMail and Tuta run on the same platforms?: StartMail supports Web. Tuta supports Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux.