Stiftung Warentest: Email provider in the security test

Stiftung Warentest called 14 email providers for the function and security test. The major mail providers disappointed in the handling of customer data and encryption technology. The surprising test winners, on the other hand, are smaller companies. We summarize the results and reveal which providers are sensitive to your personal data.

Product test: Email provider in the updated security test

After violent discussions about inconsistencies in the test of the email services, Stiftung Warentest examined the allegations and published a new version. The test winners did not change, but GMX Promail, among others, is now doing a little better. This update shows the latest status in the email test.

Stiftung Warentest: Email providers Posteo and Mailbox.org are test winners

Gmail, GMX and Co. - they all have to admit defeat to two young startups from Berlin: As the best email provider, Warentest awarded Posteo and Mailbox.org (grade: 1.8).

• Data protection: With both posteo you can open an email inbox anonymously and do not have to provide any personal information. At mail.org you only have to enter your first and last name, further details are optional. Payment can also be made in cash, so that you do not have to reveal any account details.
• Security: Posteo and Mailbox.org optionally save your messages in encrypted form. You can set up end-to-end encryption with PGP in minutes. Corresponding instructions (some with video) can be found at the providers. This is not always the default. In addition, IP addresses and user data are not saved.
• Price: The two test winners cost one euro per month. In this article we summarize how you can pay at Posteo.
• Tip: Below we show you two more secure providers. If you would like to switch to Posteo or Mailbox.org, you can simply take your emails with you.

Email providers tested: Gmail, Yahoo & GMX Promail only mediocre

Gmail, Yahoo and the paid GMX Promail mailbox are among the most popular mail providers. Their protection is not particularly good, as the test showed:

• Gmail: Gmail emerged from the test as the best free mail provider. The experts highlighted the numerous linked features of Gmail and Google, but criticized the provider for the insufficient protection when handling user data and encryption. Grade: 2.3.
• GMX Promail: With "Email-made-in-Germany" there is SSL encryption at GMX. However, Warentest did not classify them as very safe. For about 3 euros a month, the additional features are also very little. In any case, there is no more security for your money. Grade: 2.3.
• Yahoo: "Incomplete", so the conclusion of goods test. Because not only the protection was criticized, but also two functions: the address book receives no appointments via email and virus protection only works in the browser. You can catch viruses in the desktop client. Grade: 2.4.
• All details can also be found on test.de.

Bottom lights: This is how GMX Freemail, Outlook and Co. perform

• GMX Freemail: The free GMX mailbox only gets a "satisfactory" - the provider is too poor in functionality. With "Email-made-in-Germany" there is SSL encryption, but according to the Stiftung Warentest they are not particularly secure. At least the apps don't send sensitive data. Grade: 2.6.
• Outlook: A lot of storage space but few functions, so you can summarize the result. Outlook doesn't offer much protection when it comes to handling user data either. The mailbox was still active one week after the deletion. Private data was also not sent in the apps. Grade: 2.6.
• Freenet: Together with AOL, Freenet takes last place. In addition to the security standards, shortcomings in the general terms and conditions were also criticized. The apps are without complaint. Grade: 4.2.
• AOL: What happens to the user data, the experts asked here. When using the AOL apps, there was also user data in data traffic that is actually not necessary there. It also takes significantly longer to send the emails. Grade: 4.2.

Decision support: Which email provider is the right one?

• Free: In the email comparison you can read everything worth knowing about the range of functions of the providers.
• More security: In addition to Posteo, there are other email mailboxes with such high security standards. We compare 3 secure email providers.