Side by side
Shutbox vs VibeMail
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 plan AndroidAPIWeb
Shutbox combines a feature-rich web inbox with device-side encryption for mail between its own accounts. Before choosing it, consider the beta status and the different encryption and metadata treatment for mail sent to other providers.
Visit Shutbox Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+1
Choose VibeMail for encrypted email with alias-specific encryption identities or for its transactional API and developer tools. Look elsewhere if you need custom domains without a paid plan, or if you cannot keep account recovery details safe.
Visit VibeMailThe facts
| Shutbox | VibeMail | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Android, API, Web | Android, API, iPhone, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Pro: $1.99 a month | Pro: $2.99 a month |
| Plans published | 3 | 4 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | shutbox.im | vibemail.ai |
| On private email services | #13 of 29 | #17 of 29 |
Shutbox: what it does well
- Encrypted bodies and attachments between Shutbox accounts
- Web inbox includes folders, labels, conversations, and search
- Supports custom domains and aliases
- Optional TOTP and WebAuthn passkeys
- Free plan costs $0 forever
What to know first
- Currently in beta
- External mail is decrypted in memory for delivery
- External-mail metadata remains unencrypted
- Free plan includes 512 MB of storage
VibeMail: what it does well
- Separate encryption identity for each alias.
- Inbound mail is scanned for spam and malware before encryption.
- Transactional API includes templates, webhooks, tracking, and suppression handling.
- Official SDKs cover TypeScript, Python, Go, and Rust.
- Account data can be exported as JSON.
What to know first
- The free plan includes one address and 500 MB of storage.
- Custom domains are available on paid plans.
- Forgotten-password mail may be unrecoverable without prior recovery setup.
Alternatives to Shutbox Alternatives to VibeMail The whole list