iCloud Mail vs Proton Mail for Business
On privacy it's Proton Mail for Business. On price it's iCloud Mail. On features it's iCloud Mail. Here's everything side by side, last checked 22 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Go for iCloud Mail if you'd like the lower price (£0.99 a month); a free plan to start on; and 50 GB of storage.
- Proton Mail for Business is the better pick if you want mail that's encrypted end to end without any setup; your email to stay in Switzerland; and features the other lacks, like PGP encryption as well as password-protected email to anyone.
| Feature | iCloud Mail | Proton Mail for Business |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Privacy | 0.5 | 4.5 |
| Price | 5.0 | 2.5 |
| Features | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | iCloud+ 50 GB £0.99 a month | Mail Essentials $6.99 per user a month |
| Free plan | Yes, 5 GB, no own domain | No |
| Storage | 50 GB | 15 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Up to 5 | ✓ 3 |
| End-to-end encryption | No | ✓ Built in |
| Company based in | United States | Switzerland |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | Switzerland |
| Founded | 2011 | 2014 |
| Free trial | Free (5 GB) | 30-day refund |
| Funded by advertising | No | No |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | With Proton Bridge on paid plans |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Aliases | Hide My Email | Yes |
| Open-source apps | No | ✓ Yes |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
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Where they differ
- Cheapest plans: iCloud Mail iCloud+ 50 GB, £0.99 a month. Proton Mail for Business Mail Essentials, $6.99 per user a month.
- iCloud Mail has a free plan (5 GB, no own domain); Proton Mail for Business has no free plan.
- Space: iCloud Mail gives 50 GB of storage, Proton Mail for Business 15 GB of storage.
- Your mail is stored in the United States and worldwide with iCloud Mail, and in Switzerland with Proton Mail for Business.
- The companies sit under different laws: iCloud Mail in United States, Proton Mail for Business in Switzerland.
- On encryption, iCloud Mail doesn't encrypt mail end to end, whereas Proton Mail for Business encrypts mail end to end.
- Mail apps: iCloud Mail works in any mail app over IMAP; Proton Mail for Business works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans.
- Aliases: iCloud Mail offers hide my email, Proton Mail for Business yes.
iCloud Mail and Proton Mail for Business: your questions
Is iCloud Mail more private than Proton Mail for Business?
Proton Mail for Business scores 4.5 out of 5 for privacy and iCloud Mail 0.5. Proton Mail for Business gives you mail that's encrypted end to end without any setup, your email to stay in Switzerland and apps whose code is public.
Is iCloud Mail cheaper than Proton Mail for Business?
iCloud Mail is cheaper. Its iCloud+ 50 GB plan is £0.99 a month, against $6.99 per user a month for Proton Mail for Business's Mail Essentials. 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 Proton Mail for Business?
Yes, both do. iCloud Mail: Up to 5. Proton Mail for Business: 3 domains on its cheapest plan that allows one.
Where is my email stored with iCloud Mail and Proton Mail for Business?
iCloud Mail keeps it in the United States and worldwide. Proton Mail for Business keeps it in Switzerland.
Can I use iCloud Mail and Proton Mail for Business in Apple Mail or Outlook?
iCloud Mail works in any mail app over IMAP. Proton Mail for Business works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans.
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: iCloud Mail news · Proton Mail for Business news.
Not sold on either? Try these
iCloud Mail vs mailbox.org · Proton Mail for Business vs mailbox.org · iCloud Mail vs Posteo · Proton Mail for Business vs Posteo · iCloud Mail vs Proton Mail · Proton Mail for Business vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
Moving to iCloud Mail · Moving from iCloud Mail. Or see all my switching guides.