GMX Mail vs Hostpoint E-Mail & Cloud Office

Compare GMX Mail and Hostpoint E-Mail & Cloud Office on capabilities, jurisdiction, assurance, and fit for European buyers.

Both listed as alternatives to: Gmail, Outlook.com

GMX Mail

Germany· Email Services

Needs review

Shortlist GMX Mail for consumer or light-professional freemail when you want a German United Internet operator, claimed German mailbox data centers, large free storage, and standard IMAP/POP—with optional OpenPGP. Skip when you need zero-access encryption by default, enterprise DPA/audit packs, or an ad-free architecture as the baseline; consider Proton Mail instead.

German operatorMailbox in DE (claimed)IMAP / POP3 / SMTPOptional OpenPGPFree ad-supportedSaaS only

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Hostpoint E-Mail & Cloud Office

Switzerland· Email Services

Needs review

Shortlist Hostpoint E-Mail & Cloud Office when you need Swiss-hosted custom-domain IMAP mail plus Open-Xchange calendars, Drive, and optional browser docs under Hostpoint AG—with Swiss human support and free mailbox migration. Skip when you require end-to-end zero-access mail (consider Proton Mail) or a full Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace admin stack; for another Swiss multi-product cloud suite, compare Infomaniak kMail.

Swiss-hosted mailCustom domain IMAPOpen-Xchange Cloud OfficeDrive + CalDAV/CardDAV7-day Swiss supportB2B DPA (GTC annex)

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Highlighted rows differ between the two products.

GMX Mail vs Hostpoint E-Mail & Cloud Office: Snapshot
Feature	GMX Mail	Hostpoint E-Mail & Cloud Office
Country of origin	Germany	Switzerland
Category	Email Services	Email Services
Open source	No	No
Self-hosted	No	No
Headquarters	Germany	Switzerland
Legal entity	1&1 Mail & Media GmbH (Zweigniederlassung Karlsruhe; Hauptsitz Montabaur)	Hostpoint AG, Neue Jonastrasse 60, 8640 Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland
Governing law	German law (international T&Cs); GDPR applies as EU controller	Not listed
US parent / control	No known US parent	No known US parent
CLOUD Act exposure (indicative)	Medium	Low
Hosting / residency	Vendor privacy (EN): FreeMail emails, address book, and calendar processed in secure data centers in Germany. Product security pages: European data centers for stored mail. Group United Internet AG (DE). Named non-mail paths: Google Analytics/GTM on portal; Google/Yahoo search partnership; international ad partners under consent; DE privacy allows third-country transfers with Chapter V safeguards when used. No public exhaustive mail-infra subprocessor list found.	Primary: Hostpoint-operated servers and NetApp storage at Digital Realty (ex-Interxion) Glattbrugg, CH; Swiss e-mail/Drive residency claimed, dual backups, hourly snapshots. swiss hosting label (rankingCoach exception). Migration: Audriga (DE). Full public Sub-Processor List not found—DPA references list. Site analytics: Google Analytics, reCAPTCHA, Hotjar (not mailbox storage).
Summary	German FreeMail from 1&1 Mail & Media GmbH (United Internet): large free storage, IMAP/POP/SMTP, optional OpenPGP and 2FA, ad-supported consumer webmail.	Swiss custom-domain email and Open-Xchange Cloud Office (calendar, Drive, docs) from Hostpoint AG, with mailboxes and data hosted in Switzerland.
Tags	imap freemail webmail germany openpgp united-internet ad-supported consumer	imap swiss-hosting email cloud-office open-xchange custom-domain sme groupware productivity fadp

At a glance: GMX Mail vs Hostpoint E-Mail & Cloud Office
At a glance	GMX Mail	Hostpoint E-Mail & Cloud Office
HQ / entity	1&1 Mail & Media GmbH, Montabaur (DE)	Not listed
Parent group	United Internet AG (DE)	Not listed
Product type	Consumer FreeMail + optional paid tiers	Not listed
Hosting (claimed)	Mailbox/calendar data in German data centers	Not listed
Protocols	Webmail; POP3/IMAP/SMTP (opt-in)	Not listed
Open source	No	Not listed
Self-hosted	No	Not listed
HQ	Not listed	Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland
Legal entity	Not listed	Hostpoint AG (CHE-101.974.997)
Product	Not listed	Custom-domain email + Cloud Office (Open-Xchange)
Hosting	Not listed	Hostpoint servers, Digital Realty Glattbrugg (CH)
Self-host / OSS	Not listed	Neither (managed SaaS)
Commercial model	Not listed	Paid per-mailbox tiers; domain required; no free tier

Key capabilities: GMX Mail vs Hostpoint E-Mail & Cloud Office
Key capabilities	GMX Mail	Hostpoint E-Mail & Cloud Office
German operator	Yes	Not listed
Mailbox in DE (claimed)	Yes	Not listed
IMAP / POP3 / SMTP	Yes	Not listed
Optional OpenPGP	Yes	Not listed
Free ad-supported	Yes	Not listed
SaaS only	Yes	Not listed
Swiss-hosted mail	Not listed	Yes
Custom domain IMAP	Not listed	Yes
Open-Xchange Cloud Office	Not listed	Yes
Drive + CalDAV/CardDAV	Not listed	Yes
7-day Swiss support	Not listed	Yes
B2B DPA (GTC annex)	Not listed	Yes

GMX Mail

Large free mailbox storage with open protocols
gmx.com free accounts advertise up to 65 GB email storage and 50 MB attachments. POP3, IMAP, and SMTP are supported after you enable them in settings (TLS 1.2+; imap.gmx.com / mail.gmx.com). Suits users who want client choice (Thunderbird, Outlook, mobile) without Google or Microsoft as the mailbox host.
Optional OpenPGP end-to-end encryption (Mailvelope)
GMX offers free OpenPGP messaging via the Mailvelope browser extension: key generation, local key storage, key directory, and mobile recovery. Encryption is opt-in per message after setup—not whole-mailbox zero-access by default. Best for occasional sensitive threads when both parties can use OpenPGP.
Aliases, Mail Collector, and multi-account inbox
Create up to 10 alias addresses (including other GMX domains) managed in one inbox, and pull up to 10 external accounts via Mail Collector. Useful for freelancers and project mail without juggling multiple passwords or providers day-to-day.
Spam filtering, antivirus, and optional TOTP 2FA
Free accounts include automated spam filtering (user blacklist and optional improved detection) and antivirus scanning of mail and cloud files. Optional two-factor authentication uses an authenticator app (TOTP); third-party clients use app-specific passwords when 2FA is on.
Bundled Cloud, calendar, contacts, and Online Office
Accounts include contacts, calendar/organizer, about 2 GB GMX Cloud with share links, and Online Office for common document formats—enough for light personal productivity without a separate suite subscription.

Hostpoint E-Mail & Cloud Office

Custom-domain mailboxes with IMAP and free migration
Each plan is one inbox on a domain you control (new or external), with webmail plus IMAP/POP3/SMTP, unlimited forwards, aliases, out-of-office replies, server-side search, and spam/virus filters. Hostpoint’s free migration path (including Audriga-assisted moves from Gmail, GMX, Bluewin, Yahoo, and other hosts) is designed so teams keep historical mail when leaving FreeMail. Requires a domain; not a freemail brand address.
Open-Xchange Cloud Office: calendar, contacts, tasks
Browser suite for multi-calendar scheduling, shared address books, tasks, and appointment booking with free/busy style team scheduling. CalDAV/CardDAV sync targets Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Calendar, and similar clients. Fits SMEs that want groupware next to IMAP without a full Microsoft 365 tenant.
Hostpoint Drive with desktop and mobile clients
Swiss-hosted file storage included per tier (upgradeable within product limits), with share links, e-mail shares, access controls, and local clients for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android (Open-Xchange-powered). Business tier adds managing shared folders in teams. This is conventional cloud storage under Hostpoint—not zero-knowledge Drive.
Browser documents and real-time collaboration (Plus/Business)
From Cloud Office Plus upward, edit text, spreadsheets, and presentations in the browser with Microsoft Office file compatibility, real-time multi-user editing, and version history. Basic is mail-plus-calendar oriented; teams that live in shared docs should shortlist Plus or Business rather than Basic.
Swiss ops: dual backups, monitoring, seven-day support
Product pages claim Swiss data location, 24/7 monitoring, DDoS protection, hourly snapshots, daily mail backups with tiered retention (longer on higher tiers), and backup copies in two locations. Support is Swiss-based Mon–Sun daytime via phone, e-mail, WhatsApp, and form—useful for SMEs that need humans, not only tickets.

Assurance & compliance: GMX Mail vs Hostpoint E-Mail & Cloud Office
Assurance & compliance	GMX Mail	Hostpoint E-Mail & Cloud Office
Independent security / no-logs audit	Not found OpenPGP/Mailvelope path described as externally reviewed; no public independent no-logs audit for FreeMail mailbox access found on product pages.	Not found No public third-party no-logs or product security audit PDF for Cloud Office located on official pages.
ISO 27001	Not found No GMX FreeMail-branded ISO 27001 certificate located on security/privacy pages in this research pass (group companies may hold certs under other brands).	Not found Company page describes the Glattbrugg data center as ISO- and FINMA-certified (facility). No Hostpoint-organization ISO 27001 certificate page found in this pass.
SOC 2 / SOC 3	Not found No SOC 2/3 report found on GMX public security pages.	Not found No public SOC 2/3 report for Hostpoint Cloud Office found.
GDPR / EU data protection	Vendor claimed EU/German controller; public privacy notices under GDPR; DPO published; supervisory authorities named (BfDI / LfDI RLP).	Vendor claimed Swiss FADP primary; privacy states GDPR may apply in some processing. EU representative: Hostpoint Limited, Malta. Swiss–EU adequacy eases transfers. Customer remains controller for hosted content.
US CLOUD Act exposure (indicative)	Partial German entity and parent (United Internet AG); mailbox data claimed in German DCs. Partial/medium because portal analytics include Google LLC tools, freemail ads involve international partners, and no full public mail-infra subprocessor list. Not legal advice.	Partial EuropeanStack assessment: Swiss AG, no known US parent, Swiss product residency claims → relatively low ownership exposure vs US SaaS mail. Residual factors: US-listed Digital Realty facility owner (colocation), possible US-group tools on full subprocessor/marketing stack, privacy exceptional-transfer language. Not a clean bill; not legal advice.
Data processing agreement (B2B)	Not found Product is primarily consumer FreeMail under GTCs/privacy policy; no public self-serve B2B DPA flow found for FreeMail shortlisting.	Vendor claimed Annex 2 DPA + TOMs published with web-hosting GTC PDF; sub-processor engagement rules and audit rights described. Confirm applicability to your E-Mail & Cloud Office order and obtain current Sub-Processor List.
EU AI Act	Not applicable Not an AI-centric product; optional assistive features may appear in product privacy text but FreeMail is not marketed as an AI system.	Not applicable Not an AI product.
swiss hosting label	Not listed	Vendor claimed Company states Hostpoint bears the swiss hosting label (HQ + data location in Switzerland), with rankingCoach exceptions noted.

Considerations & known limitations: GMX Mail vs Hostpoint E-Mail & Cloud Office
Considerations & known limitations	GMX Mail	Hostpoint E-Mail & Cloud Office
Advertising-funded free tier	Medium FreeMail depends on ads and (with consent) interest-based targeting and partner sharing. Privacy posture differs from paid privacy mail. Practical impact: expect consent UX, ad surfaces, and partner lists—not a zero-ads default.	Not listed
E2E encryption is optional, not default	Medium Without OpenPGP setup, mailbox content is accessible to the provider like conventional hosted mail. Practical impact: do not treat GMX FreeMail as zero-access encryption architecture.	Not listed
Incomplete public infrastructure subprocessors	Medium Residency for mail is claimed (Germany/EU), but there is no enterprise-style published subprocessor inventory for core mail infrastructure. Portal paths name Google Analytics and global ad partners. Practical impact: extra questionnaire work for high-assurance buyers.	Not listed
Inactivity and freemail operational policies	Low Terms/privacy allow deletion of free mailbox content after prolonged inactivity (about 180 days without login on FreeMail privacy text). Practical impact: inactive project addresses can disappear if not maintained.	Not listed
No public ISO/SOC package for FreeMail	Low Security pages emphasize product features (spam, AV, 2FA, PGP) rather than downloadable ISO/SOC evidence for FreeMail. Practical impact: may fail enterprise vendor security questionnaires without further vendor dialogue.	Not listed
Not zero-access / E2E mail	Not listed	Medium Standard hosted mail: provider can access mailbox content for operations, spam filtering, and legal process. Unsuitable if your threat model requires only client-held keys.
Full subprocessor inventory not self-serve	Not listed	Medium DPA references a Sub-Processor List and change notifications, but a complete public e-mail-path inventory was not found on the marketing site. Request it (and any US-group vendors) before procurement sign-off.
Facility ISO/FINMA vs org certification	Not listed	Low ISO/FINMA language on public pages refers to the data center facility. Do not treat that as a verified Hostpoint ISMS ISO 27001 without a certificate.
Docs collaboration only on higher tiers	Not listed	Low Browser Office documents and real-time collab start at Plus; team shared-folder management is Business-oriented. Basic is intentionally limited.
Customer still owns backup duty	Not listed	Low GTC state customers remain responsible for their own backups; Hostpoint packages are supplementary and do not guarantee zero data loss.

Fit

GMX Mail

Best fit when

Individuals and freelancers who want a European freemail address with large free storage and IMAP client freedom
Users consolidating multiple addresses via aliases (up to 10) and Mail Collector
Buyers who prefer a German legal controller (1&1 Mail & Media GmbH / United Internet) over US Big Tech freemail
Teams that only need optional OpenPGP for specific sensitive threads, not zero-access by default
Users already familiar with GMX/WEB.DE in German-speaking markets who need international domains (e.g. gmx.com)

Poor fit when

Organizations that require default end-to-end / zero-access encryption for all mail
Procurement that needs a published independent security audit pack, ISO/SOC evidence, and a B2B DPA as standard shortlist inputs
Teams that cannot accept advertising-funded freemail economics or interest-based ad consent UX
Custom-domain corporate mail and admin controls at Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace depth
Self-hosted or open-source mail stack requirements

Consider instead when

When: You need zero-access encryption by default and a privacy-first paid model without ad-funded freemail as the core product
Consider: Proton Mail
Proton is the stronger shortlist peer in this catalog for E2E-first evaluation.
When: You need Google Workspace-class collaboration and are willing to accept US Big Tech jurisdiction
Consider: Gmail / Google Workspace
Richer suite integration; different sovereignty and ad/ecosystem tradeoffs.
When: You need Microsoft ecosystem mail, calendar, and compliance tooling
Consider: Outlook.com / Microsoft 365
Strong enterprise admin story; US parent and CLOUD Act path differ from GMX.

Hostpoint E-Mail & Cloud Office

Best fit when

Swiss SMEs and freelancers replacing FreeMail with branded @domain mailboxes
Teams that want IMAP mail plus shared calendars, contacts, and Drive in one Swiss panel
Buyers already using Hostpoint domains/hosting who want same-vendor mail and support
Organizations that prioritize Swiss data location messaging and Swiss daytime phone support
Migrators from Gmail/GMX/Bluewin who need an included mailbox migration path

Poor fit when

Security programs that require zero-access / E2E encrypted mail by default
Enterprises needing SSO/SCIM-centric identity and deep SaaS compliance tooling out of the box
Teams that only want free freemail without a domain or paid plan
Self-host or fully open-source groupware mandates
Buyers who need a published independent security audit report before shortlisting

Consider instead when

When: You need end-to-end encrypted, zero-access mail as the primary control
Consider: Proton Mail or Tuta
Hostpoint is conventional hosted Open-Xchange mail, not a zero-knowledge mailbox.
When: You want a broader Swiss cloud suite (kDrive, Swiss Meet, etc.) under one multi-product vendor
Consider: Infomaniak kMail
Compare suite breadth vs Hostpoint’s registrar/hosting + Cloud Office focus.
When: You need Microsoft/Google admin ecosystems, global collaboration defaults, or advanced DLP
Consider: Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace
Trade Swiss-operator simplicity for global SaaS depth and US-group jurisdiction.
When: You want German privacy-oriented hosted mail with OpenPGP-centric workflows
Consider: mailbox.org or Mailfence
Different legal HQ and crypto posture; Hostpoint is Swiss SME groupware-first.

Open questions for due diligence

GMX Mail

Will 1&1 Mail & Media sign a B2B DPA and publish a current mail-infrastructure subprocessor list for our use case?
Are FreeMail mailbox systems solely on United Internet / 1&1 operated German DCs, or are any US-group cloud providers used for primary storage, backup, or DR?
What independent audits or certifications (if any) cover the FreeMail platform beyond the Mailvelope/OpenPGP path?
For paid/premium mailboxes: which advertising and tracking paths remain, and what contractual residency language is available?

Hostpoint E-Mail & Cloud Office

What is the current Sub-Processor List for E-Mail & Cloud Office (including spam/AV engines, backup tooling, Audriga, any CDN)?
Does your contract package explicitly attach the web-hosting DPA annex to standalone Cloud Office mailboxes?
Any US-group processors in the live list that would change a CLOUD Act or transfer assessment?
Is there a customer-facing ISO/SOC report for Hostpoint operations beyond data-center facility claims?
Data residency guarantees in writing for dual backup locations (both fully in Switzerland)?