Aster Mail vs Hushmail

Aster Mail is an open-source email service with a free plan and paid tiers. It supports web, desktop, and Android, with an iOS beta on TestFlight; native desktop apps are available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Aster Bridge lets desktop mail apps connect over IMAP and SMTP. Mail between Aster accounts is automatically end-to-end encrypted and uses hybrid post-quantum encryption. The free plan costs nothing and includes 10 GB of encrypted storage, five aliases, one custom domain, two mail rules, attachments up to 25 MB per message, and Bridge access; no trial or credit card is required. Aster says its email is hosted in Germany under EU privacy law and that it does not use ads, inbox scanning, or AI on the inbox. QuickSwitch imports mail from Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, Proton, and other IMAP providers. MBOX mailbox export is free on every plan. Paid plans start at $2.42 a month, billed annually, with the final amount determined at checkout. Aster Mail was founded in 2026 and is headquartered in Orlando, Florida, United States.

Hushmail provides encrypted email, secure web forms, and electronic signatures for individuals and businesses. It runs on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and the web, supports custom domains, and works with IMAP and SMTP. Hushmail says it combines OpenPGP with SSL/TLS, with messages between Hushmail customers remaining OpenPGP-encrypted on its servers. Secure-message recipients use an inbox link and may sign in with Google, Outlook, or Apple. Healthcare forms support encrypted responses, signatures, and templates for intake, assessments, file transfer, and appointment requests. Every healthcare plan includes a signed Business Associate Agreement, and the company says its healthcare service supports HIPAA compliance. Personal Use starts with 15 GB and unlimited aliases but is not intended for healthcare professionals and lacks an archive, BAA, and IMA. Personal Basic costs $59.99 a year; healthcare plans start at $14.99 a month.