Fastmail vs iCloud Mail
In short: Fastmail wins on privacy, iCloud Mail wins on price, and they tie on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 22 October 2026.
Fastmail or iCloud Mail: which should you choose?
- Fastmail suits you best if you want your mail kept in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups; extras such as catch-all address as well as sieve filters; and a provider that's been going since 1999.
- Choose iCloud Mail if you want the lower price (£0.99 a month) and a free plan before you pay anything.
| Feature | Fastmail | iCloud Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Privacy | 2.0 | 0.5 |
| Price | 3.5 | 5.0 |
| Features | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Individual $5 a month, yearly | iCloud+ 50 GB £0.99 a month |
| Free plan | No | Yes, 5 GB, no own domain |
| Storage | 50 GB | 50 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Yes | ✓ Up to 5 |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | Australia | United States |
| Your data is kept in | EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups | United States and worldwide |
| Founded | 1999 | 2011 |
| Free trial | 30 days free | Free (5 GB) |
| Funded by advertising | No | No |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Aliases | Masked email and aliases | Hide My Email |
| Open-source apps | No | No |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | Offer 10% off your first year, plus a free trial of up to 30 days | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
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How Fastmail and iCloud Mail differ
- On price: Fastmail Individual at $5 a month, yearly, against iCloud Mail iCloud+ 50 GB at £0.99 a month.
- Fastmail has no free plan; iCloud Mail has a free plan (5 GB, no own domain).
- Fastmail keeps your mail in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups, while iCloud Mail keeps it in the United States and worldwide.
- The companies sit under different laws: Fastmail in Australia, iCloud Mail in United States.
- Aliases: Fastmail offers masked email and aliases, iCloud Mail hide my email.
Fastmail and iCloud Mail: your questions
Is Fastmail more private than iCloud Mail?
Fastmail scores 2 out of 5 for privacy and iCloud Mail 0.5. Fastmail gives you your mail kept in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups.
Is Fastmail cheaper than iCloud Mail?
iCloud Mail is cheaper. Its iCloud+ 50 GB plan is £0.99 a month, against $5 a month, yearly for Fastmail's Individual. iCloud Mail also has a free plan. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Can I use my own domain with Fastmail or iCloud Mail?
Yes, both do. Fastmail: Yes. iCloud Mail: Up to 5.
Where is my email stored with Fastmail and iCloud Mail?
Fastmail keeps it in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups. iCloud Mail keeps it in the United States and worldwide.
Price changes and news
- 1 July 2023 iCloud Mail: £0.99 (UK price rise, 2023)
- 1 June 2023 iCloud Mail: £0.79
The latest headlines: Fastmail news · iCloud Mail news.
Not sold on either? Try these
Fastmail vs mailbox.org · iCloud Mail vs mailbox.org · Fastmail vs Posteo · iCloud Mail vs Posteo · Fastmail vs Proton Mail · iCloud Mail vs Proton Mail
How to switch
Switching takes an evening to set up. Follow the steps for your direction: Fastmail to iCloud Mail · iCloud Mail to Fastmail.