BrainMail stays free for self-hosted operators. Paid tiers exist for the expensive layer: hosting, signing, app-store delivery, native device features, QA, updates, and support.
Market thesis
The server can be free. The trusted product experience is the premium layer.
Free
Self-host
No lock-in for builders
Premium
$4.99
Native app entry
Hosted
$8.99
Managed convenience
Business
$7/user
Team admin path
For builders who want full infrastructure ownership. You manage the machine, domain, DNS, SSL, backups, updates, storage, and uptime.
You operate the server
Premium BrainMail for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. Same trusted web product, elevated with native-grade device experience and release polish.
$49/year
For professionals who want BrainMail hosted, maintained, updated, and supported without running infrastructure themselves.
$89/year
For teams, agencies, and small businesses that need mailbox administration, domains, aliases, owners, and controlled routing.
$9/user monthly
Strategic difference
The free tier is not a fake trial. It is the self-hosted path. Monetization starts where BrainMail takes on operational cost, native distribution, and reliability accountability.