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Thelemail
Thelemail · Setúbal, Portugal
What it is
Thelemail provides private email hosting for individuals, families, and small teams, including users with their own domains. Messages between Thelemail accounts are encrypted on the sender’s device and decrypted on the recipient’s device; stored mailbox content is ciphertext protected by a random key the server does not hold. For recipients elsewhere, outbound mail uses WKD/OpenPGP when a compatible key is published, otherwise standard SMTP with TLS where supported. Custom-domain setup checks ownership and prepares SPF, DKIM, and DMARC before incoming mail moves. Core mail processing and encrypted mailbox storage are hosted in the EU. The service includes TOTP and WebAuthn two-factor authentication. Its browser and macOS clients, key transparency log, and local export tool are published under AGPL-3.0; the export tool decrypts mail on the user’s computer into MBOX files. Android and iOS apps are available. The free plan includes one mailbox and 1 GB; the Personal plan costs €24 a year, displayed as €2 / month, with 15 GB and one custom domain. Standard IMAP/SMTP access and a local bridge are not available.
For and against
For
- Mail between accounts is encrypted end to end.
- Stored mailbox content uses a key the server lacks.
- Custom-domain setup prepares SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
- Includes TOTP and WebAuthn two-factor authentication.
- Local export writes decrypted mail to MBOX files.
Against
- Standard IMAP/SMTP access and local bridge are unavailable.
- No independent security audit or formal certification is completed.
- Free plan has 1 GB and no custom domains.
- Outbound OpenPGP encryption depends on a compatible published key.
The verdict
Thelemail offers encryption, EU-hosted mail processing, and custom-domain setup, with client software and local export tools published under AGPL-3.0. Readers who rely on standard IMAP/SMTP clients should note that those access options and a local bridge are unavailable.
Who it suits
Thelemail is aimed at technical domain administrators, homelabbers, households, and founder-run small teams. It may suit people who want custom-domain hosting and encrypted mailbox storage and are comfortable using its available clients.
Plans and prices
Free
1 mailbox · 1 GB storage · no custom domains · no aliases/shared addresses
Read 30 Sep 2026 · thelemail.com
Free Family
up to 6 mailboxes · 1 GB each · 1 shared @thelemail.com alias · no payment method
Read 30 Sep 2026 · thelemail.com
Personal
1 mailbox · 15 GB storage · 1 custom domain · unlimited aliases
Read 30 Sep 2026 · thelemail.com
Personal Plus
1 mailbox · 50 GB storage · 3 custom domains · unlimited aliases
Read 30 Sep 2026 · thelemail.com
Team
from 3 mailboxes · 25 GB per mailbox · up to 5 custom domains · unlimited aliases
Read 30 Sep 2026 · thelemail.com
Family
up to 6 mailboxes · 10 GB per mailbox · 2 custom domains · unlimited aliases
Read 30 Sep 2026 · thelemail.com
Business
from 3 mailboxes · 100 GB per mailbox · up to 10 custom domains · unlimited aliases
Read 30 Sep 2026 · thelemail.com
Family Plus
up to 6 mailboxes · 30 GB per mailbox · 4 custom domains · unlimited aliases
Read 30 Sep 2026 · thelemail.com
On the record
- Audit status
- Thelemail has not completed an independent security audit or formal compliance certification.thelemail.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Client limitation
- Standard IMAP/SMTP access for Apple Mail, Thunderbird and similar clients is not currently available, and there is no local bridge.thelemail.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Data residency
- Core mail processing and encrypted mailbox storage are hosted in the EU.thelemail.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Domain setup
- Custom-domain setup checks domain ownership and prepares SPF, DKIM and DMARC before incoming mail is moved.thelemail.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- End-to-end encryption
- Mail between Thelemail accounts is encrypted on the sender’s device and decrypted on the recipient’s device.thelemail.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Export
- The public local export tool decrypts mail on the user’s computer and writes standard MBOX files.thelemail.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- External encryption
- Outbound mail is encrypted with WKD/OpenPGP when the recipient publishes a compatible key; otherwise standard SMTP with TLS where supported is used.thelemail.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Intended users
- The service is aimed at technical domain administrators, homelabbers, households and founder-run small teams.thelemail.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Open source
- The production browser client, macOS desktop client, key transparency log and local export tool are published under AGPL-3.0.thelemail.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- Thelemail provides private email hosting for individuals, families and small teams, including people with their own domains.thelemail.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Two-factor authentication
- The service includes two-factor authentication using TOTP and WebAuthn.thelemail.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Zero-access storage
- Stored mailbox content is ciphertext protected by a random account key that the server does not hold.thelemail.com · read 30 Sep 2026
