PrivMail

Overview

PrivMail is an encrypted email service with file storage and tools for managing calendars, tasks, notes, and aliases. It suits people who want OpenPGP protection and file sharing alongside email, especially if they already have a TorGuard subscription. Its free tier is tightly capped, while the paid plans vary substantially in storage, aliases, and account allowances.

Key features

PrivMail supports end-to-end OpenPGP encryption for email. Users can generate or import keys, which the service says stay on their devices. SecureShare applies OpenPGP encryption locally before files are uploaded, so recipients download and decrypt them on their own devices. For synced folders, PrivateMail Files uses AES 256 encryption and offers desktop folder sync.

Beyond email and files, PrivMail includes a calendar, tasks, notes, bulk import, and email aliases. It can also connect external services such as Gmail, Outlook, and Mail.com, with OpenPGP security managed through PrivMail. Android and iOS users can choose whether to sync native contacts and calendars. PrivMail says it does not log inbox logins or IP addresses when customers access its mail services.

The support page provides a knowledge base and contact options, plus a seven-day money-back guarantee. That guarantee offers a short window to reconsider a paid subscription, though PrivMail does not offer a free trial.

Pricing

PrivMail’s plans have different storage allowances and terms, so compare the specific offer before subscribing. Several plans include a 5GB mailbox and webmail access; the larger Standard, Pro, and Business plans advertise separate email and file storage quotas.

• Monthly: $12.95 a month, billed monthly. Includes a 5GB mailbox, an @priv-mail.com address, and secure webmail access; the subscription can be canceled anytime. This suits someone who wants a short commitment, though the listed options include plans with larger quotas.
• Quarterly: $29.99 a month, described as billed annually. Includes a 5GB mailbox, an @priv-mail.com address, and secure webmail access. The billing description does not clearly match the plan name, so check the charge schedule before choosing it.
• Semiannual: $55.99 a month, also described as billed annually. It includes the same 5GB mailbox and webmail basics. As with Quarterly, confirm the billing term before subscribing.
• Annual: $95.99 a year, billed annually, with a 5GB mailbox, an @priv-mail.com address, and secure webmail access. It is the clearest lower-cost option for someone content with the basic mailbox allowance and an annual commitment.
• Free plan (with TorGuard subscription): free, with 100MB email storage, 100MB file storage per month, and webmail only. The TorGuard requirement and small quotas make it a limited fit, and mobile and desktop apps are reserved for premium users.
• Standard Plan: $8.95 a month, with five aliases, 10GB encrypted email storage, and 10GB encrypted cloud storage. This is aimed at individuals who need more storage and aliases than the basic 5GB mailbox plans provide.
• PrivateMail Pro: $15.95 a month, with 20 aliases, 20GB encrypted email storage, and 20GB encrypted cloud storage. It fits heavier personal use or someone managing more addresses and files.
• Business Pro: $64.95 a month, with 10 email accounts, 20 aliases, 100GB email storage, and 100GB file storage. The account allowance makes it the plan for a small team with shared business needs; its price is a substantial step up from individual plans.

The support page states a seven-day money-back guarantee. No free trial is offered.

Platforms

PrivMail supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, the web, and Windows. Downloads include desktop releases for Windows, macOS, and Debian- and Red Hat-based Linux, plus Android and iOS apps. The free plan is webmail only, so app access depends on a premium plan.

Who it's for

PrivMail is a good match for people who want OpenPGP email and locally encrypted file sharing in one service, with calendar and task tools alongside them. It may also suit users who want to manage external email accounts with OpenPGP security through PrivMail. People seeking a generous free mailbox, app access without paying, or straightforward plan terms should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

• Pros: OpenPGP covers email and SecureShare files, with encryption and decryption handled locally for file transfers.
• Pros: Desktop folder sync uses AES 256 encryption, and the service says it keeps keys on users’ devices.
• Pros: The feature set extends beyond email to include files, calendars, tasks, notes, aliases, and external email accounts.
• Cons: Free access requires a TorGuard subscription and is limited to webmail, with just 100MB of email storage and 100MB of file storage per month.
• Cons: The paid offers differ in quotas and account counts, and the Quarterly and Semiannual billing descriptions are difficult to reconcile with their names.
• Cons: The basic 5GB mailbox plans do not advertise the larger separate email and cloud storage quotas available in the Standard, Pro, and Business plans.

Alternatives

Consider Aster Mail if a free plan without a TorGuard subscription matters: its free tier includes 10GB encrypted storage and five aliases. Choose eclipso Mail Europe if you want a freemium email provider with a free 4GB mailbox and no minimum contract period. Proton Mail is another freemium option, with a free plan that includes 1GB of storage and one email address.

Disroot Email may suit readers who want a free mailbox with standard mail protocol support and optional PGP encryption. Neir offers a free encrypted webmail tier with 10 random aliases and no IP history. Consider NevTan Mail for its free plan with 5GB storage per mailbox and up to 10 mailboxes. QeyeT offers a free preview with email, calendar, meetings, and web and Android access. Tuta Mail is a free option with 1GB storage, one calendar, three labels, and end-to-end encryption.

For broader comparisons, see Secure Email Providers and Email providers.

Verdict

Choose PrivMail if you want OpenPGP email, locally encrypted file sharing, and productivity tools across desktop and mobile platforms, and you are comfortable matching your needs to its varied plans. Its main draw is the combination of private communications and encrypted file storage; its biggest drawbacks are the TorGuard-gated, web-only free tier and paid-plan terms that need careful checking. If a simple, generous free allowance is your priority, one of the alternatives is a better fit.