Posteo — Email That Minds Its Own Business (and Yours)
Some email providers shout about privacy, then quietly log everything. Posteo isn’t one of them. Based in Germany and famously independent, it runs a tight ship: no ads, no tracking, no user profiling, and — here’s the kicker — no names or phone numbers even during signup. It’s privacy-first, not as a feature, but as a principle baked into every part of the service.
It’s not the flashiest mailbox in the world, but for admins and IT folks who want encrypted, policy-compliant email for themselves or small teams, Posteo gets the job done without oversharing.
What It Actually Does (No Drama)
| Feature | Why It’s Useful |
| No Personal Data Required | Signup with no name, no phone, no alt email. Just pay anonymously and go. |
| Full IMAP/SMTP Support | Works with Thunderbird, Outlook, iOS Mail — it’s standard-compliant all the way. |
| Encrypted Mail Storage | Emails are stored encrypted on disk, including subject lines and headers. |
| OpenPGP Integration | Supports seamless end-to-end encryption for those who need it. |
| Calendar & Contacts | Encrypted address book and calendar (CardDAV & CalDAV). |
| Green Hosting | Powered entirely by renewable energy — might matter to some orgs. |
| 2FA & Security Headers | Optional two-factor auth, plus top-grade HTTPS and HSTS by default. |
| No Logging or IP Retention | Doesn’t log access IPs or build usage profiles. Ever. |
When It Makes Sense
- Handling sensitive correspondence without giving up metadata.
- Providing secure email accounts for internal staff, contractors, or research teams.
- Avoiding Google/Microsoft lock-in for communication tools.
- Meeting EU or internal data privacy requirements with minimal overhead.
- Operating in environments where user anonymity and system integrity are both priorities.
How to Set It Up (Takes Less Time Than Coffee)
- Create Account
Go to posteo.de, click “Create Account.” That’s it. No personal info needed. Pick an address, password, and pay — via PayPal, credit card, or anonymously with cash or bank transfer. - Configure Email Client
IMAP and SMTP credentials are standard:
– IMAP: posteo.de:993 (SSL)
– SMTP: posteo.de:465 (SSL)
Supports SSL/TLS, STARTTLS, and standard auth. - Set Up PGP (Optional)
Manage keys manually or use their webmail interface’s integrated PGP tool. For full control, use external clients. - CalDAV & CardDAV
Sync calendars and contacts via secure DAV endpoints. No Google account required, just credentials and a URL. - Enable 2FA & Extras
Supports TOTP 2FA, alias addresses, Sieve filters, and tag-based mail organization. All managed via a clean web panel.
Final Word
Posteo doesn’t try to replace Gmail — it’s trying to fix what Gmail broke. It’s a clean, ethical email provider with serious attention to privacy, encryption, and user control. No analytics. No “personalized experience.” No nonsense.
For sysadmins, IT consultants, or privacy-conscious orgs who want a rock-solid, standards-based mailbox without surveillance baked in, Posteo is the quiet professional. It does the job, respects boundaries, and doesn’t ask questions it doesn’t need answers to.
