iCloud Mail vs mailbox.org
Mailbox.org wins on privacy, iCloud Mail wins on price and they tie on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 22 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- iCloud Mail is the better pick if you want the lower price (£0.99 a month); a free plan before you pay anything; and more room (50 GB, against 20 GB).
- mailbox.org suits you best if you want your email to stay in Germany; extras such as PGP encryption as well as password-protected email to anyone; and open-source apps.
| Feature | iCloud Mail | mailbox.org |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.0 | 4.5 |
| Privacy | 0.5 | 4.5 |
| Price | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Features | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Cheapest plan | iCloud+ 50 GB £0.99 a month | Standard €3 a month, yearly (from summer 2026) |
| Free plan | Yes, 5 GB, no own domain | No (30-day trial) |
| Storage | 50 GB | 20 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Up to 5 | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) |
| Company based in | United States | Germany |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | Germany |
| Founded | 2011 | 2014 |
| Free trial | Free (5 GB) | 30 days free |
| Funded by advertising | No | No |
| 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 | ✓ Yes |
| Sign up without ID | No | ✓ Yes |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| 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. mailbox.org Standard, €3 a month, yearly (from summer 2026).
- For free, iCloud Mail gives you a free plan (5 GB, no own domain), and mailbox.org no free plan.
- iCloud Mail comes with 50 GB of storage and mailbox.org with 20 GB of storage.
- Data location: United States and worldwide for iCloud Mail, Germany for mailbox.org.
- iCloud Mail is based in the United States and mailbox.org in Germany, so different privacy laws apply.
- iCloud Mail doesn't encrypt mail end to end; mailbox.org offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage).
- For extra addresses, iCloud Mail has hide my email and mailbox.org has yes.
iCloud Mail and mailbox.org: your questions
Which is more private, iCloud Mail or mailbox.org?
mailbox.org scores 4.5 out of 5 for privacy and iCloud Mail 0.5. mailbox.org gives you your email to stay in Germany, open-source apps and an account that doesn't need your phone number or ID.
Which is cheaper, iCloud Mail or mailbox.org?
iCloud Mail is cheaper. Its iCloud+ 50 GB plan is £0.99 a month, against €3 a month, yearly (from summer 2026) for mailbox.org's Standard. iCloud Mail also has a free plan. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Do iCloud Mail and mailbox.org work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. iCloud Mail: Up to 5. mailbox.org: Yes.
Where do iCloud Mail and mailbox.org keep my email?
iCloud Mail keeps it in the United States and worldwide. mailbox.org keeps it in Germany.
Recent price changes
- 1 September 2026 mailbox.org: €3.00 (announced 15 July 2026)
- 1 June 2026 mailbox.org: €2.50
- 1 July 2023 iCloud Mail: £0.99 (UK price rise, 2023)
- 1 June 2023 iCloud Mail: £0.79
The latest headlines: iCloud Mail news · mailbox.org news.
Alternatives to iCloud Mail and mailbox.org
iCloud Mail vs Posteo · mailbox.org vs Posteo · iCloud Mail vs Proton Mail · mailbox.org vs Proton Mail · iCloud Mail vs Tuta · mailbox.org vs Tuta
How to switch
Decided? These guides take you through moving your mail, contacts and address: iCloud Mail to mailbox.org · mailbox.org to iCloud Mail.