iCloud Mail vs Google Workspace
In short: iCloud Mail wins on privacy, iCloud Mail wins on price, and they tie on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 22 October 2026.
iCloud Mail or Google Workspace: which should you choose?
- Choose iCloud Mail if you want a provider with no advertising business behind it; the lower price (£0.99 a month); and a free plan to start on.
- Google Workspace is the better pick if you want features the other lacks, like catch-all address as well as POP3 and more years of history: it started in 2006.
| Feature | iCloud Mail | Google Workspace |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.0 | 2.0 |
| Privacy | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Price | 5.0 | 2.5 |
| Features | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Cheapest plan | iCloud+ 50 GB £0.99 a month | Business Starter £5.90 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT |
| Free plan | Yes, 5 GB, no own domain | No |
| Storage | 50 GB | 30 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Up to 5 | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | United States | United States |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | Choice of region only on Business Plus and above |
| Founded | 2011 | 2006 |
| Free trial | Free (5 GB) | 14 days free |
| Funded by advertising | No | Yes, or its parent company is |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Aliases | Hide My Email | Yes |
| Open-source apps | No | No |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | None | Offer 10% off your first year |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
Where they differ
- Cheapest plans: iCloud Mail iCloud+ 50 GB, £0.99 a month. Google Workspace Business Starter, £5.90 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT.
- iCloud Mail has a free plan (5 GB, no own domain); Google Workspace has no free plan.
- Space: iCloud Mail gives 50 GB of storage, Google Workspace 30 GB of storage.
- Your mail is stored in the United States and worldwide with iCloud Mail, and in Choice of region only on Business Plus and above with Google Workspace.
- Google Workspace (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; iCloud Mail doesn't.
- Aliases: iCloud Mail offers hide my email, Google Workspace yes.
iCloud Mail and Google Workspace: your questions
Is iCloud Mail more private than Google Workspace?
iCloud Mail scores 0.5 out of 5 for privacy and Google Workspace 0. iCloud Mail gives you a provider with no advertising business behind it.
Is iCloud Mail cheaper than Google Workspace?
iCloud Mail is cheaper. Its iCloud+ 50 GB plan is £0.99 a month, against £5.90 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT for Google Workspace's Business Starter. 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 iCloud Mail or Google Workspace?
Yes, both do. iCloud Mail: Up to 5. Google Workspace: Yes.
Where is my email stored with iCloud Mail and Google Workspace?
iCloud Mail keeps it in the United States and worldwide. Google Workspace keeps it in Choice of region only on Business Plus and above.
Recent price changes
- 1 July 2023 iCloud Mail: £0.99 (UK price rise, 2023)
- 1 June 2023 iCloud Mail: £0.79
The latest headlines: iCloud Mail news · Google Workspace news.
Not sold on either? Try these
iCloud Mail vs mailbox.org · Google Workspace vs mailbox.org · iCloud Mail vs Posteo · Google Workspace vs Posteo · iCloud Mail vs Proton Mail · Google Workspace vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
Ready to move? My step-by-step guides cover your mail, contacts, forwarding and your own domain: iCloud Mail to Google Workspace · Google Workspace to iCloud Mail.