Gmail vs Mailfence: Which Protects Your Metadata Better?
Explore how Mailfence from Belgium offers enhanced metadata privacy compared to Gmail. Make an informed choice for your email security now.
Should You Switch to Mailfence?
Gain end-to-end encryption, GDPR compliance, no ads or tracking
Lose features like Smart Compose and integrated Google Meet
Switch if privacy is a priority; stay with Gmail for advanced features
At a Glance
US data laws
GDPR protected
Gmail
Contact
Mailfence
freemium
Privacy & Compliance Comparison
Critical data sovereignty factors at a glance
| Criteria | Gmail | Mailfence |
|---|---|---|
Server Location | US, EU (Google data centers worldwide) | EU (Belgium) |
GDPR Compliance | Partial (SCCs) | Full |
Open Source | ||
E2E Encryption | Enterprise only | Optional |
Data Portability | Full export | Full export |
CLOUD Act Notice
Gmail is a US company and must comply with CLOUD Act data requests, even for data stored in EU data centers. Mailfence is not subject to US jurisdiction.
Gmail
🇺🇸Mailfence
🇧🇪US Data Storage
Data subject to US CLOUD Act and may be accessed by US authorities
EU Data Protection
Data protected under GDPR with EU-only data residency
Certifications & Compliance
No certifications listed
Reasons to Switch
- ✓End-to-end encryption for secure emails
- ✓GDPR compliance ensures data protection
- ✓No ads or tracking enhances privacy
- ✓EU-based servers for local data storage
Things to Consider
- !Migration from Gmail can be complex
- !Lacks integrated video conferencing
- !Learning curve for OpenPGP setup
Migration Overview
Depends on data size and complexity
Quick Steps
Create Mailfence account and configure settings
Export and prepare data from Gmail
Import data, test integrations, and migrate users
Note: Switching may require transferring emails and contacts, which can be complex.
Other alternatives to Gmail
Ready to make the switch?
Start using Mailfence today and take control of your data privacy.