Side by side
4SecureMail vs Thelemail
Both stand on private email services. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free trial AndroidiPhoneLinux+3
Choose 4SecureMail if you want hosted email with standard client support, SecureVault and business options such as custom domains. Look elsewhere if you need automatic contact or calendar synchronization, or a free plan.
Visit 4SecureMail
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+1
Thelemail combines device-encrypted mail, EU-hosted storage and custom-domain support with individual, family and team plans. Readers who depend on standard IMAP/SMTP clients should note that those connections and a local bridge are unavailable.
Visit ThelemailThe facts
| 4SecureMail | Thelemail | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | A free trial | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Android, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows | Android, iPhone, Mac, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Personal Basic: $59.99 a year | Personal: €2 a month |
| Plans published | 10 | 8 |
| Maker | Not published | Thelemail |
| Website | 4securemail.com | thelemail.com |
| On private email services | #18 of 29 | #14 of 29 |
4SecureMail: what it does well
- Works with POP, IMAP and SMTP email clients.
- SecureVault lets outside recipients read and reply through a web link.
- Includes SpamAssassin and a server-based virus scanner.
- Supports mobile push notifications and multiple connected devices.
- Available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows.
What to know first
- No free plan is available.
- Personal Basic includes 500 MB storage and no custom domain.
- Automatic contact and calendar synchronization is not supported.
- Off-site legal archiving costs extra.
Thelemail: what it does well
- Mail between accounts is encrypted on users’ devices.
- Mailbox storage is encrypted with a key the server lacks.
- Custom-domain setup prepares SPF, DKIM and DMARC.
- TOTP and WebAuthn two-factor authentication are included.
- Local export tool writes decrypted mail to MBOX files.
What to know first
- Standard IMAP/SMTP access is not currently available.
- There is no local bridge for other mail clients.
- No independent security audit or formal certification is complete.
Alternatives to 4SecureMail Alternatives to Thelemail The whole list