Fastmail vs Kolab Now: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Fastmail and Kolab Now side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Fastmail leads on higher user rating; Kolab Now leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Fastmail
Fast, private, and reliable email and calendar hosting for individuals and businesses.
Best for you if:
- • You want privacy focused email
Kolab Now
Secure and private email, calendar, and file storage for individuals and teams.
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
| At a Glance | Fastmail | Kolab Now |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $3/user/mo, billed monthly Standard plan | Free plan |
Category | Email Productivity | Email Security |
Rating | 4.5/5 G2 4.2 · Capterra 4.9 28 reviews | 4.3/5 SourceForge 4.3 67 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Fastmail or Kolab Now?
Choose Fastmail if
- You want privacy focused email
- You want good features
Choose Kolab Now if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want strong emphasis on privacy and data security
- You want hosted in Switzerland under strict data protection laws
In-Depth Analysis
Fastmail
Fast, private, and reliable email and calendar hosting for individuals and businesses.
Fastmail's pricing is fair, especially for the 'Standard' tier at $5/user/month offering 100GB storage.
Strengths
- Pro: Privacy focused email
- Pro: Good features
- Pro: Custom domains
- Pro: Calendar included
- Pro: No ads
Weaknesses
- Con: Expensive vs Gmail
- Con: Limited integrations
- Con: Smaller ecosystem
- Con: Storage limited
- Con: No free tier
Key features
Kolab Now
Secure and private email, calendar, and file storage for individuals and teams.
Strengths
- Pro: Strong emphasis on privacy and data security
- Pro: Hosted in Switzerland under strict data protection laws
- Pro: Uses open-source software for transparency
- Pro: Comprehensive suite of communication and collaboration tools
Weaknesses
- Con: No free tier available
- Con: May have a learning curve for users accustomed to mainstream services
Key features
Plans and prices: Fastmail vs Kolab Now
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Fastmail |
| fastmail.com/pricing read Oct 19, 2026 |
| Kolab Now | No plan prices on file | kolabnow.com/pricing |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Fastmail pricing and Kolab Now pricing.
Key Takeaways
Fastmail
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.3/5
Kolab Now
- Has a free plan
What the data shows
On the data below, Fastmail leads on higher user rating; Kolab Now leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Fastmail has the higher user rating (4.5/5 from 28 reviews for Fastmail, 4.3/5 from 67 reviews for Kolab Now).
- Fastmail starts at $3/user/mo, billed monthly; Kolab Now has no public paid plan price on file.
- Only Kolab Now has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Fastmail and Kolab Now compare in 2026?
On the data below, Fastmail leads on higher user rating; Kolab Now leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Fastmail has the higher user rating (4.5/5 from 28 reviews for Fastmail, 4.3/5 from 67 reviews for Kolab Now). Fastmail starts at $3/user/mo, billed monthly; Kolab Now has no public paid plan price on file. Only Kolab Now has a free plan.
What are Fastmail and Kolab Now used for?
Fastmail: Fast, private, and reliable email and calendar hosting for individuals and businesses. Kolab Now: Secure and private email, calendar, and file storage for individuals and teams.
What does Fastmail cost vs Kolab Now?
Fastmail's cheapest paid plan is Standard at $3/user/mo, billed monthly. Kolab Now has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 19, 2026.
What's the main difference between Fastmail and Kolab Now?
Fastmail's main strength: privacy focused email. Kolab Now's main strength: strong emphasis on privacy and data security.