Leaving Outlook? Here's everything you need
Compare 4 EU alternatives side-by-side. Find the right fit based on migration difficulty, pricing, and privacy features.
Your data may be subject to US surveillance laws
Outlook is headquartered in the US. Under the CLOUD Act and FISA Section 702, US authorities can access your data without your knowledge. Switch to an EU alternative to keep your data protected under GDPR.
All EU Alternatives at a Glance
| Alternative | Country | Pricing | Difficulty | Time Estimate | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Proton MailRecommended Proton Mail is a secure email service provider based in Switzerland, designed with a strong emphasis on privacy and security. It offers end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only you and your intended recipient can read your messages. Proton Mail is ideal for individuals and organizations who prioritize data protection and privacy, particularly those in Europe who benefit from its EU-hosted infrastructure. Key features include encrypted email communication, no logging of IP addresses, and a user-friendly interface that makes secure communication accessible to all. Proton Mail's commitment to privacy is further reinforced by its compliance with EU data protection regulations, including GDPR, providing users with peace of mind regarding data sovereignty and security. The service offers a range of pricing plans, from a free tier with basic features to premium options that include additional storage and custom domain support, catering to both personal and professional users. By choosing Proton Mail, users can trust that their data is handled with the utmost care and confidentiality, in accordance with stringent European privacy standards. | 🇨🇭Switzerland | Free plan available | Medium | 1-2 hours | |
Tuta Mail Tuta Mail is a secure email service designed with privacy at its core, offering end-to-end encryption to ensure that your communications remain confidential. Hosted on EU servers, Tuta Mail adheres to GDPR standards, providing users with peace of mind regarding data privacy and compliance. With a zero-knowledge architecture, Tuta Mail ensures that only you can access your data, not even the service providers. This email service is ideal for individuals and businesses who prioritize privacy and data protection. Tuta Mail allows anonymous registration, requiring no personal data, and supports custom domains, making it a versatile choice for businesses. The open-source email client also includes built-in spam protection features, ensuring a seamless and secure email experience. Tuta Mail's pricing model offers various plans to cater to both personal and business needs, ensuring flexibility and affordability. By choosing Tuta Mail, users benefit from the robust privacy and security measures that come with EU-hosted data, making it a reliable choice for those who value data sovereignty. | 🇩🇪Germany | Free plan available | Medium | 1-2 hours | |
Posteo Posteo is a European email service provider that prioritizes privacy, security, and sustainability. It offers an ad-free email experience powered entirely by renewable energy, ensuring an eco-friendly communication solution. Users can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with Posteo's commitment to GDPR compliance and secure data storage within the EU. Key features include an anonymous sign-up process, end-to-end encryption options, and support for two-factor authentication, making it a robust choice for privacy-conscious individuals and organizations. Posteo also supports custom domain hosting, catering to both personal and business users who require a professional email setup. The service is ideal for those who value data sovereignty and wish to keep their information protected under stringent European data protection laws. Posteo operates on a straightforward pricing model, offering a subscription-based service without the intrusion of advertisements. This ensures that users receive a clean, focused email experience without compromising their privacy. | 🇩🇪Germany | Subscription | Medium | 1-2 hours | |
Infomaniak kMail Infomaniak kMail is a robust email service designed to meet the needs of individuals and businesses seeking secure and reliable communication solutions. Hosted in EU data centers, kMail ensures that all email processing complies with GDPR regulations, providing peace of mind regarding data privacy and sovereignty. Users can manage their emails with ease, thanks to a user-friendly interface available on both mobile and desktop applications. Key features include support for custom domains, integrated calendar and contacts, and an optional end-to-end encryption for enhanced security. Advanced spam filtering and anti-phishing measures are also in place to protect users from unwanted threats. Infomaniak kMail is ideal for European businesses, freelancers, and privacy-conscious individuals who prioritize data protection and compliance with EU standards. While specific pricing details are not provided, Infomaniak typically offers competitive rates for its services, making it an attractive option for those looking for a cost-effective email solution. The combination of EU-hosted data centers and GDPR compliance makes kMail a compelling choice for anyone looking to maintain control over their data while enjoying a seamless email experience. | 🇨🇭Switzerland | Subscription | Medium | 1-2 hours |
Our Top Picks
Best for Privacy
Tuta Mail is a secure email service designed with privacy at its core, offering end-to-end encryption to ensure that your communications remain confidential. Hosted on EU servers, Tuta Mail adheres to GDPR standards, providing users with peace of mind regarding data privacy and compliance. With a zero-knowledge architecture, Tuta Mail ensures that only you can access your data, not even the service providers. This email service is ideal for individuals and businesses who prioritize privacy and data protection. Tuta Mail allows anonymous registration, requiring no personal data, and supports custom domains, making it a versatile choice for businesses. The open-source email client also includes built-in spam protection features, ensuring a seamless and secure email experience. Tuta Mail's pricing model offers various plans to cater to both personal and business needs, ensuring flexibility and affordability. By choosing Tuta Mail, users benefit from the robust privacy and security measures that come with EU-hosted data, making it a reliable choice for those who value data sovereignty.
Certifications:
Best Free Option
Proton Mail is a secure email service provider based in Switzerland, designed with a strong emphasis on privacy and security. It offers end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only you and your intended recipient can read your messages. Proton Mail is ideal for individuals and organizations who prioritize data protection and privacy, particularly those in Europe who benefit from its EU-hosted infrastructure. Key features include encrypted email communication, no logging of IP addresses, and a user-friendly interface that makes secure communication accessible to all. Proton Mail's commitment to privacy is further reinforced by its compliance with EU data protection regulations, including GDPR, providing users with peace of mind regarding data sovereignty and security. The service offers a range of pricing plans, from a free tier with basic features to premium options that include additional storage and custom domain support, catering to both personal and professional users. By choosing Proton Mail, users can trust that their data is handled with the utmost care and confidentiality, in accordance with stringent European privacy standards.
- Swiss servers ensure strong data protection laws
- End-to-end encryption secures all email content
- Open source code allows for transparency checks
Migration difficulty data is being enriched for these alternatives.
Detailed Comparison of Each Alternative
Proton Mail is a secure email service provider based in Switzerland, designed with a strong emphasis on privacy and security. It offers end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only you and your intended recipient can read your messages. Proton Mail is ideal for individuals and organizations who prioritize data protection and privacy, particularly those in Europe who benefit from its EU-hosted infrastructure. Key features include encrypted email communication, no logging of IP addresses, and a user-friendly interface that makes secure communication accessible to all. Proton Mail's commitment to privacy is further reinforced by its compliance with EU data protection regulations, including GDPR, providing users with peace of mind regarding data sovereignty and security. The service offers a range of pricing plans, from a free tier with basic features to premium options that include additional storage and custom domain support, catering to both personal and professional users. By choosing Proton Mail, users can trust that their data is handled with the utmost care and confidentiality, in accordance with stringent European privacy standards.
Advantages
- Swiss servers ensure strong data protection laws
- End-to-end encryption secures all email content
- Open source code allows for transparency checks
- GDPR compliance ensures data privacy standards
Trade-offs
- No integrated calendar or task management
- Migration from Outlook can be time-consuming
- Learning curve for users new to Proton Mail
Tuta Mail is a secure email service designed with privacy at its core, offering end-to-end encryption to ensure that your communications remain confidential. Hosted on EU servers, Tuta Mail adheres to GDPR standards, providing users with peace of mind regarding data privacy and compliance. With a zero-knowledge architecture, Tuta Mail ensures that only you can access your data, not even the service providers. This email service is ideal for individuals and businesses who prioritize privacy and data protection. Tuta Mail allows anonymous registration, requiring no personal data, and supports custom domains, making it a versatile choice for businesses. The open-source email client also includes built-in spam protection features, ensuring a seamless and secure email experience. Tuta Mail's pricing model offers various plans to cater to both personal and business needs, ensuring flexibility and affordability. By choosing Tuta Mail, users benefit from the robust privacy and security measures that come with EU-hosted data, making it a reliable choice for those who value data sovereignty.
Advantages
- End-to-end encryption secures all emails.
- Zero-knowledge architecture ensures data privacy.
- GDPR compliance with EU-hosted servers.
- Anonymous registration requires no personal data.
Trade-offs
- Lacks integrated calendar and scheduling tools.
- Migration from Outlook can be complex.
- Learning curve for users new to open-source clients.
Posteo is a European email service provider that prioritizes privacy, security, and sustainability. It offers an ad-free email experience powered entirely by renewable energy, ensuring an eco-friendly communication solution. Users can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with Posteo's commitment to GDPR compliance and secure data storage within the EU. Key features include an anonymous sign-up process, end-to-end encryption options, and support for two-factor authentication, making it a robust choice for privacy-conscious individuals and organizations. Posteo also supports custom domain hosting, catering to both personal and business users who require a professional email setup. The service is ideal for those who value data sovereignty and wish to keep their information protected under stringent European data protection laws. Posteo operates on a straightforward pricing model, offering a subscription-based service without the intrusion of advertisements. This ensures that users receive a clean, focused email experience without compromising their privacy.
Advantages
- Ad-free: No ads cluttering your inbox.
- Green: 100% renewable energy for operations.
- Privacy: Anonymous sign-up protects identity.
- GDPR: Full compliance ensures data protection.
Trade-offs
- Migration: Manual transfer of emails required.
- Features: Lacks integrated calendar and tasks.
- Learning: New interface may require adjustment.
Infomaniak kMail is a robust email service designed to meet the needs of individuals and businesses seeking secure and reliable communication solutions. Hosted in EU data centers, kMail ensures that all email processing complies with GDPR regulations, providing peace of mind regarding data privacy and sovereignty. Users can manage their emails with ease, thanks to a user-friendly interface available on both mobile and desktop applications. Key features include support for custom domains, integrated calendar and contacts, and an optional end-to-end encryption for enhanced security. Advanced spam filtering and anti-phishing measures are also in place to protect users from unwanted threats. Infomaniak kMail is ideal for European businesses, freelancers, and privacy-conscious individuals who prioritize data protection and compliance with EU standards. While specific pricing details are not provided, Infomaniak typically offers competitive rates for its services, making it an attractive option for those looking for a cost-effective email solution. The combination of EU-hosted data centers and GDPR compliance makes kMail a compelling choice for anyone looking to maintain control over their data while enjoying a seamless email experience.
Advantages
- GDPR compliance ensures EU data protection standards.
- Swiss hosting offers strong privacy laws for data security.
- Optional end-to-end encryption enhances email confidentiality.
- Green Hosting certification supports eco-friendly practices.
Trade-offs
- Migration from Outlook may require manual data transfer.
- Lacks OneDrive integration for seamless file sharing.
- Learning curve for users familiar with Outlook's interface.
Before You Switch
Export your data from Outlook before you start the migration. This ensures you have a backup and makes the transition smoother.
How to Export
File → Open & Export → Import/Export → Export to a file → Outlook Data File (.pst)
Export Format
PST
Time Required
10-30 minutes depending on mailbox size
Import Notes
Convert PST to MBOX using free tools like Thunderbird for non-Microsoft imports
Settings Path
File → Options
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best EU alternatives to Outlook?
There are 4 European alternatives to Outlook. Proton Mail, Tuta Mail, Posteo are among the top-rated options. All are GDPR-compliant and store your data in European data centers.
How long does it take to switch from Outlook?
Migration time varies by alternative. Most migrations can be completed in under an hour with our step-by-step guides. We provide detailed migration guides for each alternative.
Can I export my data from Outlook?
Yes. File → Open & Export → Import/Export → Export to a file → Outlook Data File (.pst) The exported data comes in PST format. Convert PST to MBOX using free tools like Thunderbird for non-Microsoft imports
Is switching from Outlook to an EU alternative safe?
Yes, switching is safe when done correctly. We recommend: 1) Export your data from Outlook first, 2) Set up the new EU service, 3) Import your data, 4) Run both services in parallel for a transition period, 5) Update any linked accounts or integrations, and 6) Cancel your Outlook subscription only after verifying everything works.
Why should I switch from Outlook to an EU alternative?
EU alternatives provide stronger privacy protection under GDPR, keep your data in European data centers, and are not subject to US surveillance laws like the CLOUD Act or FISA Section 702. By switching, you gain true data sovereignty and support European tech innovation.