Thelemail is an email service built around privacy. Messages between Thelemail accounts are encrypted on the sender's device and opened on the recipient's device. The company describes it as independent email for individuals, families and small teams, and users can begin with a free @temail.org mailbox or connect a domain they own on a paid plan.
The service was started by Vlad Gorokhov, who writes that Eric works on it full-time and a few friends help part-time. Paid subscriptions fund it, and the company says stored mail is not used for advertising or AI training. It also describes itself as early and states that no independent security audit has been completed.
How does Thelemail work?
The route a message takes depends on the recipient. Between Thelemail accounts, the device encrypts the body, subject and attachments, and the service carries only ciphertext. Routing details such as sender and recipient addresses remain visible. For external recipients with a compatible WKD/OpenPGP key, Thelemail can encrypt on the device as well.
With an ordinary external mailbox, incoming mail reaches the gateway in readable form before it is encrypted for storage, and outgoing mail is processed readable for delivery, using TLS where supported. The inbox reports whether a message was end-to-end encrypted and whether sender authentication passed, so users can see what was verified.
Key features of Thelemail
Privacy features include end-to-end encryption between accounts, encrypted storage, two-factor authentication, device sessions and EU data residency. Tracking protection stops the web client from loading images directly from the sender's server and strips known tracking parameters from links by default. A recovery phrase in Security settings provides the way back in if a password is lost.
For organization, the service offers custom domains with an ownership, SPF, DKIM and DMARC setup wizard, unlimited aliases on paid plans, a shared family address, and admin or member roles on business workspaces. Mail is available in the web app, a macOS desktop app, and iOS and Android apps. Standard IMAP/SMTP access is not offered.
Key Features
End-to-end encryption between accounts — Message body, subject and attachments are encrypted on the sender's device and decrypted on the recipient's. Routing information stays visible to the service.
OpenPGP to external recipients — Thelemail can find a compatible recipient key through WKD/OpenPGP and encrypt on the device. External senders can also encrypt to a user's published key.
Encrypted storage — Stored mailbox content is encrypted, and the company says it is not scanned for advertising or AI training.
Tracking protection — The web client prevents images from loading directly from the sender's server, and known tracking parameters are stripped from links by default.
Sender checks in the inbox — The inbox shows whether a message was end-to-end encrypted and whether sender authentication passed, and notes what it could not verify.
Custom domain setup wizard — The wizard checks domain ownership, SPF, DKIM and DMARC, so mailboxes and aliases can be prepared before MX records change.
Roles and shared addresses — Business workspaces let admins invite people, assign admin or member roles, revoke pending invitations and route shared addresses to chosen members.
Shared family address — Free Family gives up to six people their own logins and inboxes plus one shared @temail.org address routed to selected members.
Two-factor authentication and recovery phrase — Every plan includes two-factor authentication and device sessions. A recovery phrase saved in Security settings is the way back in if the password is lost.
Import and MBOX export — Existing mail can be imported as .eml files, encrypted on the device before upload. A public command-line tool exports folders as standard MBOX files.
Published source and key log — Browser and macOS client source, the key transparency log and the export tool are public. The mobile client source stays private.
Web, desktop and mobile access — Mail is available in a web app, an open-source macOS desktop app, and iOS and Android apps.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Messages between Thelemail accounts are end-to-end encrypted, including subject and attachments.
Free tier has no expiry or payment method, and Free Family covers up to six people.
Plain-language limits on metadata, external mail and recovery are published openly.
Browser and macOS client source, key transparency log and export tool are public.
Mail can be exported as standard MBOX files, and custom domains can move to another provider.
Business tiers include roles, audit-log retention and priority support.
Cons
No IMAP/SMTP access, so Apple Mail or Thunderbird cannot be used with it.
Mail to ordinary external providers is not end-to-end encrypted, and sender, recipient and timing stay visible.
No independent security audit or formal compliance certification has been completed.
If both password and recovery method are lost, stored email cannot be recovered.
Pricing
Free €0 forever
Personal €2 / month €24 billed yearly, or €3 / month billed monthly
Personal Plus €4 / month €48 billed yearly, or €5 / month billed monthly
Free Family €0 / month per household, forever
Family €5 / month per household, €60 billed yearly, or €6.50 / month billed monthly
Family Plus €8 / month per household, €96 billed yearly, or €10 / month billed monthly
Team €4.50 / month per mailbox, €54 billed yearly, or €6 / month billed monthly; minimum 3…
Business €7 / month per mailbox, €84 billed yearly, or €9 / month billed monthly; minimum 3…
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Thelemail?
Thelemail is a privacy-focused email service for individuals, families and small teams. Messages between Thelemail accounts are end-to-end encrypted, and stored mail is encrypted. Users get a free @temail.org mailbox or can connect their own domain on a paid plan.
How much does Thelemail cost?
Free mailboxes cost €0. Paid yearly prices are Personal €24, Personal Plus €48, Family €60 per household, Family Plus €96 per household, Team €54 per mailbox and Business €84 per mailbox. Monthly billing is available on the website at €3, €5, €6.50, €10, €6 and €9 respectively.
Does Thelemail have a free plan?
Yes. Free gives one person a permanent @temail.org mailbox with 1 GB. Free Family gives up to six people 1 GB each plus one shared address. Neither needs a payment method or has an expiry date, and neither includes custom domains.
Is email to other providers end-to-end encrypted?
Only when the recipient publishes a compatible WKD/OpenPGP key. Otherwise Thelemail processes readable content to deliver the message and encrypts it for storage. Sender, recipient, timing and external subject lines remain visible.
Can I use Thelemail with Apple Mail or Thunderbird?
Not currently. Standard IMAP/SMTP access is not available and there is no local bridge. Mail is read in the web app, the macOS desktop app, or the iOS and Android apps.
Can I use my own domain with Thelemail?
Yes, on paid plans. A setup wizard checks domain ownership, SPF, DKIM and DMARC, and you can change MX records after mailboxes are ready. Domain registration is paid separately to your registrar.
Can I leave Thelemail and take my mail?
Yes. A public command-line export tool saves mailbox folders as standard MBOX files. If you own your domain, you can point its MX records to another provider.
Is Thelemail good for small businesses?
It suits small teams that value privacy. Team and Business plans start at three mailboxes and include roles, audit logs and priority support. Teams that need IMAP clients or a completed security audit should check those limits first.