iCloud Mail vs Runbox
In short: Runbox wins on privacy, iCloud Mail wins on price, and iCloud Mail wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 22 October 2026.
Should you pick iCloud Mail or Runbox?
- iCloud Mail is the better pick if you want the lower price (£0.99 a month); to try it free first; and more space for your mail: 50 GB.
- Runbox suits you best if you want your mailbox stored in Norway; more built in, including PGP encryption as well as catch-all address; and open-source apps anyone can check.
| Feature | iCloud Mail | Runbox |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.0 | 3.5 |
| Privacy | 0.5 | 3.0 |
| Price | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Features | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | iCloud+ 50 GB £0.99 a month | Mini $34.95 a year |
| Free plan | Yes, 5 GB, no own domain | No (30-day trial) |
| Storage | 50 GB | 10 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Up to 5 | ✓ Up to 5 |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | United States | Norway |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | Norway |
| Founded | 2011 | 2000 |
| Free trial | Free (5 GB) | 30 days free, then a 60-day refund |
| 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 | 100 aliases |
| 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 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
Where they differ
- Cheapest plans: iCloud Mail iCloud+ 50 GB, £0.99 a month. Runbox Mini, $34.95 a year.
- For free, iCloud Mail gives you a free plan (5 GB, no own domain), and Runbox no free plan.
- iCloud Mail comes with 50 GB of storage and Runbox with 10 GB of storage.
- iCloud Mail keeps your mail in the United States and worldwide, while Runbox keeps it in Norway.
- iCloud Mail is based in the United States and Runbox in Norway, so different privacy laws apply.
- For extra addresses, iCloud Mail has hide my email and Runbox has 100 aliases.
Common questions
Which is more private, iCloud Mail or Runbox?
Runbox scores 3 out of 5 for privacy and iCloud Mail 0.5. Runbox gives you your mailbox stored in Norway and open-source apps anyone can check.
Which is cheaper, iCloud Mail or Runbox?
iCloud Mail is cheaper. Its iCloud+ 50 GB plan is £0.99 a month, against $34.95 a year for Runbox's Mini. 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 Runbox work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. iCloud Mail: Up to 5. Runbox: Up to 5.
Where do iCloud Mail and Runbox keep my email?
iCloud Mail keeps it in the United States and worldwide. Runbox keeps it in Norway.
Prices and the latest 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 · Runbox news.
Also worth a look
iCloud Mail vs mailbox.org · Runbox vs mailbox.org · iCloud Mail vs Posteo · Runbox vs Posteo · iCloud Mail vs Proton Mail · Runbox vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
Switching takes an evening to set up. Follow the steps for your direction: iCloud Mail to Runbox · Runbox to iCloud Mail.