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CTemplar Review – Secure Email Service Provider

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In this post, I will provide a review of CTemplar.

CTemplar (Crypto Templar) is an email service provider that promises high-level security for users, prioritizing data security. 

Can CTemplar compete against other secure email service providers? Is CTemplar as secure as it claims? These are some of the issues I intend to cover with this CTemplar review. 

What Is CTemplar?

CTemplar is a secure, anonymous, end-to-end encrypted email service designed for individuals who desire to enjoy communications free from monitoring and interference. 

It was established in 2017 in Seychelles, a country outside of the 9, 5, and 14 eyes. The country also has laws backing data privacy rights, making it an ideal location for establishing a secure email service.

CTemplar is made of a small team of security professionals who are passionate about providing secure email services. Hence, it is independently funded and is not willing to accept grants or funding from governments or corporate bodies.

Note: CTemplar announced its shutdown on May 26, 2022, due to operational challenges. However, there have been discussions and rumors about potential revival or continuation efforts. Currently, users seeking similar privacy-focused email services can consider alternatives such as ProtonMail, eM Client, or Telios.

CTemplar Features

CTemplar’s server locations

CTemplar’s mail servers are located in Iceland. Its decision is based on Iceland’s privacy-friendly policies, and refusal to join surveillance alliances, and information exchange treaties. 

Therefore, it is implausible that CTemplar can be forced or threatened to divulge its’ clients’ data to third-parties. Moreover, since it utilizes zero-access password technology, there is no way for CTemplar, nor any of its team members, to access or decrypt its clients’ data, even if authorities succeed in obtaining a valid Icelandic court injunction.

Also, Ctemplar’s choice of Iceland as a server location is based on the abundance of green energy sources, making its operations environmentally friendly.

Encryption protocol

CTemplar utilizes the OpenPGP (Pretty Good Privacy) encryption protocol, which is commonly employed by secure email service providers for email encryption. It involves the use of 4096-bit RSA keys to encrypt and decrypt both sent and received emails.

It goes the extra steps of encrypting email subjects, giving it an advantage over other secure email providers. However, this service is only available for its paid subscribers.

CTemplar email services and settings

CTemplar Review

CTemplar offers free and paid email services. The free mail services will require you to obtain a code from a friend who has a CTemplar paid email account, or you can get a code by sending a message to CTemplar via any of its social media handles or by sending a message to invite-codes@ctemplar.com. For the paid services, users will have to use Bitcoin or Monero to make an anonymous payment. 

Free and paid users can send encrypted messages to non-CTemplar users. The sender has to send the password through other channels for the recipient to decrypt the message. However, freemium users are excluded from enjoying fantastic CTemplar features, including sending delayed deliveries, the Dead Man Timer, and self-destructing emails.

CTemplar does not link emails to IP addresses; it uses its IP address for sending messages. Therefore, all emails sent from CTemplar are stripped of their IP addresses. Hence, there is no way of tracing messages back to the sender. 

CTemplar Mobile apps platform

CTemplar’s mobile app for Android and iOS is available at F-Droid, a secure app store for iOS and Android device users. Although the apps have recently been launched, CTemplar’s developers work tirelessly to fix any glitches that users may experience when using their mobile apps to send and receive messages.

Security and privacy logs 

CTemplar does not keep a log of its users’ data. Since payment is made anonymously using Bitcoin or Monero, there will be no way for CTemplar to store other key details, such as credit card information.

This ensures that its clients remain anonymous. Additionally, CTemplar does not have data retention policies that require email service providers to keep deleted users’ data for six months before permanently deleting it.

CTemplar Pricing Plans 

CTemplar pricing plans

CTemplar operates both free and paid email services.

Their premium plans include:

  • Prime – $8 per month
  • Knight – $12 per month
  • Marshall – $20 per month
  • Champion – $50 per month

All paid plans offer their subscribers full CTemplar security features, but they vary in terms of storage, attachment limits, aliases, and custom domain support for subscribers. However, the Marshall plan offers its subscribers exclusive beta access as an added feature.

Customer Support 

Users can find extensive technical support at CTemplar’s FAQ page

Although CTemplar does not offer Live Chat and call support, users receive feedback via email within 24 hours. Support services available include

  • General support (support@ctemplar.com)
  • Abuse: (abuse@ctemplar.com)
  • Legal: (legal@ctemplar.com) 

Additionally, you can contact CTemplar through its various social media channels.

CTemplar Review: Frequently Asked Questions

What is CTemplar and what makes it different from regular email services?

CTemplar (Crypto Templar) is a secure, end-to-end encrypted email service that prioritizes user privacy and data protection. Unlike regular email providers, CTemplar operates outside of surveillance alliances (the 9, 5, and 14 Eyes) and is based in Seychelles, with servers in Iceland — both countries known for their strong privacy laws. It utilizes advanced encryption, zero-access passwords, and does not log user IP addresses or data.

How secure is CTemplar compared to other encrypted email providers?

CTemplar is considered one of the most secure email services ever created. It utilizes 4096-bit RSA OpenPGP encryption, encrypting both message bodies and subject lines (a rare feature), and stores its servers in Iceland to ensure compliance with strict privacy laws. Even CTemplar’s team cannot decrypt user data due to its zero-access encryption model.

READ ALSO: Best Free Antivirus Software: Comprehensive Analysis and Recommendations

Does CTemplar log user information or track IP addresses?

No. CTemplar has a strict no-log policy. It does not record user activity, IP addresses, or metadata. Every email sent through CTemplar is stripped of its original IP, making it impossible to trace the sender’s identity or location.

What encryption protocol does CTemplar use?

CTemplar utilizes the OpenPGP (Pretty Good Privacy) protocol, employing 4096-bit RSA keys, to secure emails. This standard ensures that both sent and received emails are fully encrypted. Paid users also enjoy subject-line encryption for enhanced security.

Can I send encrypted emails to non-CTemplar users?

Yes. CTemplar allows users to send encrypted messages to non-CTemplar recipients. The sender provides a password via another communication channel, allowing the recipient to decrypt the message.

What are the main features of CTemplar’s paid plans?

CTemplar’s paid plans — Prime ($8/month), Knight ($12/month), Marshall ($20/month), and Champion ($50/month) — unlock premium features such as:

  • Larger storage and attachment limits
  • Custom domain support
  • Multiple aliases
  • Advanced tools like Dead Man Timer, Self-destruct mails, and Delayed delivery
  • Beta access for top-tier subscribers

How can I create a CTemplar account?

CTemplar offered both free and paid account options. Free accounts required an invite code, which users could request via email or social media. Paid accounts accepted anonymous crypto payments through Bitcoin or Monero to preserve user anonymity.

READ ALSO: How to Protect Yourself from Online Fraud [6 Surefire Internet Safety Tips]

Does CTemplar have a mobile app?

Yes. CTemplar released mobile apps for Android and iOS, available via F-Droid, a secure and privacy-focused app store. These apps offered full encryption capabilities and were regularly updated to address bugs and improve performance.

What customer support options does CTemplar offer?

CTemplar’s support team was available through email and social media. Users could reach them via:

  • General support
  • Abuse issues
  • Legal inquiries

While CTemplar did not offer live chat or phone support, email responses were typically sent within 24 hours.

Conclusion

Voila! The CTemplar review.

Although CTemplar is a recent player in the secure email industry, its innovative security features make it a formidable competitor that I am willing to recommend to anyone in need of a secure email service. At this pace of CTemplar’s progress, I hope that it will carve out a strong niche in the industry. 

Note: CTemplar will be shutting down by May 26, 2022. Therefore, you can try out other CTemplar alternatives, such as eM Client, ProtonMail, and Telios.


USEFUL READINGS

About the Author:

faisal abraham
Writer at SecureBlitz |  + posts

Abraham Faisal is a professional content writer. He has a strong passion for online privacy, cybersecurity and blockchain and is an advocate for online privacy. He has been writing about these topics since 2018 and is a regular contributor to a number of publications. He has a degree in Computer Science and has in-depth knowledge of the ever-evolving world of digital security. In his free time, he likes to travel and explore new cultures.

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