Mailfence Review 2026: Tested for 60 Days
Our verdict
Mailfence is the best encrypted email for collaboration. It’s the only encrypted provider offering a full suite — documents, calendar, contacts, and groups — comparable to a lightweight Google Workspace. It supports both PGP and S/MIME encryption standards and operates under Belgian jurisdiction with strong EU privacy protections.
After 60 days, we found the collaboration features genuinely useful, though the UI felt dated compared to Proton Mail and Tuta.
Key features
- OpenPGP and S/MIME encryption (dual standard support)
- Digital signatures for email authenticity
- Integrated calendar, contacts, documents, and groups
- IMAP/SMTP/POP support for third-party clients
- Custom domain support on paid plans
- No advertising, no trackers by policy
- Belgian jurisdiction with strong EU privacy law
- 30% recurring affiliate commission available
Pros
- Only encrypted email with full collaboration suite
- Supports both PGP and S/MIME (most flexible encryption)
- IMAP/SMTP support for third-party client compatibility
- Belgian jurisdiction under strong EU privacy framework
- Generous document storage alongside email
Cons
- UI feels dated compared to Proton Mail and Tuta
- Smaller user base and less brand recognition
- Encryption is optional, not default between Mailfence users
- Free tier very limited (500 MB)
- Mobile apps less polished than competitors
Pricing breakdown
| Plan | Price | Email Storage | Doc Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 500 MB | 500 MB |
| Entry | $3.50/mo | 5 GB | 12 GB |
| Pro | $9.50/mo | 20 GB | 24 GB |
| Ultra | $14/mo | 50 GB | 70 GB |
Who should use Mailfence
- Professionals needing email + docs + calendar in one encrypted platform
- Users exchanging encrypted email with different systems (PGP + S/MIME)
- IMAP/SMTP users who need third-party client compatibility
- EU-focused businesses wanting Belgian jurisdiction
Who should NOT use Mailfence
- Users wanting encryption by default — Proton Mail encrypts everything automatically
- Privacy purists — Tuta encrypts subject lines and requires no phone number
- Users who value modern UI — Proton Mail and Tuta are more polished
- Mobile-first users — Mailfence’s mobile experience is weakest
Related
- Proton Mail Review — largest encrypted provider
- Tuta Review — cheapest and most private
- Proton Mail vs Tuta — top two compared
- Best Password Managers — secure your email account
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mailfence worth it?
Yes, for users wanting encrypted email with a built-in collaboration suite. Mailfence is the only encrypted provider offering documents, calendar, contacts, and groups comparable to a lightweight Workspace, and supports both PGP and S/MIME.
How much does Mailfence cost?
Mailfence Free offers 500 MB email + 500 MB documents. Entry is $3.50/mo (5 GB), Pro is $9.50/mo (20 GB), and Ultra is $14/mo (50 GB).
What are Mailfence's biggest downsides?
The UI feels dated, brand recognition is lower than Proton Mail, encryption is optional (not encrypted by default between users), the free tier is very limited at 500 MB, and mobile apps are less polished.