Fastmail review
Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026
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Our verdict
Fastmail suits readers who want a custom domain and a quick mailbox at a mid-range price, not a privacy-first service with end-to-end encryption in its apps. It ranks 15 on price from among the brands compared here, and its own apps carry no end-to-end encryption.
Key facts
- Best for
- A paid custom domain mailbox at a mid-range price, for readers who do not need end-to-end encryption inside the provider's apps.
- Price from
- €4 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Free plan limits
- No free plan; 30-day free trial (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- End-to-end encryption
- No end-to-end encryption in Fastmail's own apps; PGP or S/MIME only via third-party apps (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Jurisdiction
- AU (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Custom domains
- Yes (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Open source
- No (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Legal entity
- Fastmail Pty Ltd (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Headquarters
- Australia (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Founded
- 1999 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Support channels
- Email, Help-centre (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Official website
- fastmail.com
Privacy tools
- Price from
- €4 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Free plan
- No (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Free plan limits
- No free plan; 30-day free trial (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Platforms
- Web, iOS, Android (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Logging policy
- Logs technical data such as IP addresses and client identifiers for security, troubleshooting and auditing; IP logs retained for up to one year (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Jurisdiction
- AU (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Open source
- No (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Legal entity
- Fastmail Pty Ltd (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Headquarters
- Australia (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Founded
- 1999 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Support channels
- Email, Help-centre (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Apps and profiles
- Get the app
- App StoreGoogle Play
Pros and cons
Pros
- Custom domains: yes, so mail runs on an address you own rather than a provider address.
- Platform coverage of web, ios and android means a single account works in a browser and on both mobile platforms.
- Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Australia, Fastmail Pty Ltd operates under AU terms.
Cons
- Technical data such as IP addresses and client identifiers is logged for security, troubleshooting and auditing, and IP logs are kept for a retention period.
- Phone support is not among its email and help centre.
Who it suits
- Readers who want mail on a domain they own, since custom domains are supported.
- People who want a single account on web, ios and android and a price to plan around at entry and again at renewal.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who compare entry prices with addy.io at $1 or Apple Hide My Email at $0.99 and want the smaller starting figure.
- Anyone who needs a standing no-cost tier, since the free plan is no and the only introductory offer is a trial.
What it does well
Custom domains are supported, so a mailbox can sit on a domain you own rather than a provider address. The free plan limits read No free plan; 30-day free trial, which puts the entry point on a paid plan with a trial attached. Both point at a service for people ready to pay for a domain-based inbox.
Free plan and trial
The free plan is no. The free plan limits read No free plan; 30-day free trial, so the introductory offer is a trial rather than a standing account at no charge. Readers who weigh price at entry and again at renewal should budget for the paid subscription and treat the trial as the only look before paying.
How Fastmail compares
9.0 vs 9.1
9.0 vs 8.8
9.0 vs 8.5
9.0 vs 9.5
9.0 vs 9.4
9.0 vs 9.1
9.0 vs 9.2
9.0 vs 9.4
9.0 vs 9.2
9.0 vs 8.8
Fastmail vs Proton9.0 vs 9.3
Fastmail vs Proton Mail9.0 vs 9.0
Fastmail vs Proton Pass9.0 vs 9.0
9.0 vs 9.4
Frequently asked questions
How much does Fastmail cost to start?+
The entry plan starts at €4. The free plan is no, and the free plan limits read No free plan; 30-day free trial, so the trial is the only no-cost look. Budget for the paid plan at entry and again at renewal.
Is there a free plan or a free trial?+
The free plan is no, and the free plan limits read No free plan; 30-day free trial, which lists the trial as the only no-cost entry. Nothing carries into a standing account at no charge, so readers who compare services on a permanent no-cost tier should set this one aside.
Does Fastmail have end-to-end encryption?+
Not in its own apps. End-to-end encryption is listed as no in Fastmail's own apps, and PGP or S/MIME works only through third-party apps. The account is run by Fastmail Pty Ltd under AU terms, so readers who need encryption in the app itself should weigh other options.
Where is Fastmail based, and which laws apply?+
It is headquartered in Australia, the terms are governed by AU, and the legal entity is Fastmail Pty Ltd. Founded in 1999, it is a long-standing operator, which matters for readers who check jurisdiction before paying.
Which devices and apps does Fastmail support?+
The service runs on web, ios and android, so a single account covers a browser plus iOS and Android. Support answers on email and help centre, so questions go by email or through the help centre rather than in-app chat.
Can I use my own domain?+
Custom domains: yes. Mail is sent and received on an address you own, which is the main pull for readers leaving a provider address. Since the free plan is no, the custom domain arrives with a paid plan starting at €4.
How does Fastmail compare with addy.io and Apple on price?+
The entry plan is €4, addy.io is listed at $1, Apple Hide My Email at $0.99 and Apple Inc. at $0.99. The spread is the point for readers who weigh the starting figure before the feature list.
Sources
- fastmail.com/company/about checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Founded, Headquarters
“Fastmail has been the leading independent email service since 1999”
- fastmail.com/company/open-source checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Open source
“Where we believe these are useful to others, we will often look to open source them to support the wider ecosystem”
- fastmail.com/features/security checked September 26, 2026
Backs: End-to-end encryption
“We don't offer end-to-end encryption in our own apps”
- fastmail.com/policies/privacy checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Logging policy
“We also log technical data (like IP addresses and client identifiers) for security, troubleshooting, and auditing. IP Logs: Retained for up to one year to monitor for fraud.”
- fastmail.com/policies/terms-of-service checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Jurisdiction, Legal entity
“These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Victoria Australia”
- fastmail.com/pricing checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Custom domains, Free plan, Free plan limits, Platforms, Price from, Support channels
“Use your own domains to make custom addresses”
Compiled from 6 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.
Related by the facts
Fastmail
A paid custom domain mailbox at a mid-range price, for readers who do not need end-to-end encryption inside the provider's apps.