Runbox

Runbox is a Norwegian email service that has been operating since 2000, making it one of the pioneers in privacy-focused email. Based in Oslo and operating under strict Norwegian privacy laws, Runbox combines strong data protection with an impressive commitment to environmental sustainability. All Runbox services run on 100% renewable hydroelectric power, making it one of the greenest email options available.

Norwegian Privacy Protection

Norway's position in the European Economic Area (EEA) means that GDPR applies in full, providing Runbox users with comprehensive data protection rights. Norwegian law also includes additional privacy protections that go beyond GDPR in some respects. The Norwegian Constitution explicitly protects the right to privacy, and Norwegian courts have consistently upheld strong interpretations of privacy rights.

Unlike companies based in the United States or UK, Runbox cannot be compelled to provide data through secret orders or national security letters. Any legal request must go through the Norwegian legal system, which requires proper judicial oversight. Runbox has a clear policy of only responding to valid Norwegian court orders and publishes information about the legal requests they receive.

Environmental Commitment

Runbox stands out for its commitment to environmental sustainability. The company's servers run entirely on renewable hydroelectric power from Norwegian sources. This means that every email you send or receive through Runbox has a minimal carbon footprint compared to services running on fossil fuel-powered data centers.

The environmental focus extends beyond just power consumption. Runbox optimizes their infrastructure for efficiency, uses hardware responsibly, and has implemented policies to minimize their overall environmental impact. For users who want their digital services to align with their environmental values, Runbox offers a compelling option.

Generous Features

Runbox offers surprisingly generous features, especially for the price point. All accounts come with 100 email aliases included, allowing you to create different addresses for different purposes without additional cost. This is particularly useful for protecting your primary email address from spam and for organizing incoming mail.

Custom domain support is available, enabling you to use your own domain for a professional email address. Runbox provides detailed documentation for setting up DNS records and supports multiple domains on higher-tier accounts.

The service includes a calendar and contacts system that syncs via standard CalDAV and CardDAV protocols. While not as feature-rich as Google Calendar, it provides the essential functionality for managing appointments and contacts privately.

Runbox 7: The Modern Interface

Runbox 7 is the company's modern, open-source webmail interface built with Angular. It provides a clean, responsive design that works well on both desktop and mobile browsers. The interface includes conversation threading, keyboard shortcuts, and a powerful search function that makes finding emails easy.

For users who prefer a more traditional email client experience, Runbox fully supports IMAP and SMTP. This means you can use Thunderbird, Outlook, Apple Mail, or any other standard email client. The service also supports POP3 for users who prefer to download and delete emails from the server.

PGP Encryption Support

While Runbox does not provide built-in end-to-end encryption like Proton Mail, it does support PGP encryption for users who want to encrypt their communications. You can store your PGP public key in your Runbox account and use email clients like Thunderbird with the Enigmail extension to send and receive encrypted emails.

This approach gives technically savvy users the ability to achieve end-to-end encryption while maintaining compatibility with any email client. However, it requires more setup than services with built-in encryption and may not be suitable for all users.

Storage and Pricing

Runbox offers four account tiers with varying storage amounts:

The Micro account at $19.95/year provides 1GB of email storage and 100MB of file storage. This is suitable for light email users who don't need to keep large archives.

The Mini account at $34.95/year increases email storage to 10GB and file storage to 1GB, making it appropriate for moderate email users.

The Medium account at $49.95/year provides 25GB of email storage and 2.5GB of file storage, suitable for most personal and professional use cases.

The Max account at $79.95/year offers 50GB of email storage and 5GB of file storage, designed for power users with extensive email archives.

All accounts include the same core features: 100 aliases, custom domain support, calendar, and contacts. The differences are primarily in storage capacity. Annual pricing provides significant savings compared to monthly billing.

Migration Tools

Runbox provides tools for importing emails from other providers. The import feature supports IMAP, allowing you to transfer emails from Gmail, Outlook, or other email services. The migration process preserves folder structure and metadata, making the transition relatively seamless.

For users with large existing mailboxes, the migration can take several days to complete. Runbox recommends setting up forwarding from your old address during this period to ensure you don't miss any emails.

Security Features

Runbox implements standard security features including two-factor authentication via TOTP apps. All connections use TLS encryption to protect data in transit. The service also includes spam filtering and virus scanning to protect your inbox from threats.

Sessions can be managed from the account settings, allowing you to see active sessions and revoke access if needed. IP address logging can be disabled for users who want additional privacy, though this may impact the ability to detect unauthorized access.

Limitations

The most significant limitation of Runbox is its somewhat dated interface compared to more modern services. While Runbox 7 is a significant improvement, it still lacks some of the polish and features of Gmail or even Fastmail. Power users may find the interface limiting.

The lack of built-in end-to-end encryption means that technically, Runbox can access your emails. While Norwegian law provides strong protections, users who need mathematical certainty that their emails cannot be read may prefer Proton Mail or Tuta.

There are no mobile apps specifically for Runbox. Users must rely on the mobile web interface or configure standard email apps using IMAP. While this works well, it's less convenient than having dedicated apps.

Customer Support

Runbox provides email-based support with generally good response times. The company also maintains a comprehensive knowledge base with guides for common tasks. Community forums provide peer support and feature discussions.

Support is provided in English and Norwegian. While the team is small, they are known for being responsive and helpful, especially for technical issues.

Who Should Use Runbox

Runbox is an excellent choice for users who prioritize environmental sustainability alongside privacy. The combination of Norwegian privacy protection, renewable energy, and competitive pricing makes it attractive for environmentally-conscious individuals and organizations.

Users who need many email aliases will appreciate the 100 included aliases. Those comfortable with PGP can achieve end-to-end encryption while maintaining compatibility with any email client.

European users seeking an alternative to US-based email services will benefit from Norwegian jurisdiction and GDPR protection. The service is particularly suitable for those who prefer standard email protocols over proprietary solutions.

Conclusion

Runbox offers a compelling combination of privacy, sustainability, and value. While it may not have the most modern interface or built-in encryption of some competitors, its Norwegian jurisdiction, renewable energy commitment, and generous features make it a solid choice for privacy-conscious users who care about their environmental impact. For those seeking a truly European email alternative that aligns with environmental values, Runbox deserves serious consideration.