As cyber security becomes increasingly important, many are looking for a more secure email provider. Fastmail, one of the oldest secure email providers on the market, is often considered a reliable option. But is it secure enough for the modern era of cyber security? In this review, we’ll take a closer look at Fastmail and weigh its pros and cons.
Fastmail has a number of features that make it a desirable email provider. Firstly, it lacks ads and tracking, which is a refreshing change from many standard email providers. It also boasts highly effective spam filters and customizable notification settings that allow you to snooze, ignore, or alert mail from various contacts. The mobile apps are easy to use, arguably easier than the desktop web browser version. Its web browser client is versatile, filled with useful features, and very user-friendly. It’s simple to import emails, calendars, and contacts from a separate account. It also has advanced search capabilities and advanced notification control, which lets you prioritize email alerts for top contacts.
Fastmail also offers two-factor authentication that’s compatible with multiple setup options and the ability to restore deleted files up to seven days after deletion using the web browser. One of its nicest features is its high volume of aliases, which stay separate from your inbox and are easy to remove.
When it comes to customer support, Fastmail’s customer support system is done by tickets, and although the response time varies, you can expect to wait at least seven hours for a response. The self-help section is fairly comprehensive and should be able to answer most if not all of your questions.
However, Fastmail does not offer a free plan, which is a letdown. You can try any plan on a 30-day free trial, but after that, there are three different subscription options. The basic plan, which is the cheapest at $3 per user per month, is ad-free and includes two gigabytes of unencrypted storage, full feature calendars, and 600 aliases. The standard plan includes all of the above plus customer domains to share with other users, calendar groups, a snooze feature, and 30 gigabytes of unencrypted mail storage for $5 per user per month.
One of the biggest red flags with Fastmail is the lack of end-to-end encryption, which is strange for a security-focused email provider. Aside from the software itself, there’s also the issue that Fastmail is an Australian company with service housed in the United States and operates out of Five Eyes countries. Five Eyes is a surveillance alliance that allows intelligence agencies to access your data should the need arise.
Additionally, the setup of the service requires the linking of a phone number and there is a lack of user features like a browser extension or desktop app, live customer service chat, and a free plan.
In conclusion, Fastmail seems to be stuck between usability and privacy. It is not really nailing either, as privacy is sorely lacking for a service that prides itself on top security. The seemingly arbitrary pricing, lack of end-to-end encryption or encrypted storage, and accessibility options locked behind a paywall make Fastmail a less attractive option. Moreover, you can get the same from other secure email providers like Tutanota and ProtonMail, both of which are free.
So, is Fastmail worth your time? It really depends on your personal preferences and priorities. However, based on the information presented in this review, you can make an informed decision.