iCloud Mail vs StartMail
On privacy it's StartMail. On price it's iCloud Mail. On features it's a tie. Here's everything side by side, last checked 22 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Choose iCloud Mail if you want the lower price (£0.99 a month); to try it free first; and more space for your mail: 50 GB.
- StartMail is the better pick if you want your mail kept in the Netherlands and more built in, including PGP encryption as well as password-protected email to anyone.
| Feature | iCloud Mail | StartMail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Privacy | 0.5 | 3.5 |
| Price | 5.0 | 3.5 |
| Features | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Cheapest plan | iCloud+ 50 GB £0.99 a month | Personal $4.99 a month |
| Free plan | Yes, 5 GB, no own domain | No (7-day trial) |
| Storage | 50 GB | 20 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Up to 5 | ✓ 1 |
| End-to-end encryption | No | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) |
| Company based in | United States | Netherlands |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | Netherlands |
| Founded | 2011 | 2014 |
| Free trial | Free (5 GB) | 7 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 | Unlimited throwaway addresses |
| Open-source apps | No | No |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | None | Offer 50% off |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
How iCloud Mail and StartMail differ
- Cheapest plans: iCloud Mail iCloud+ 50 GB, £0.99 a month. StartMail Personal, $4.99 a month.
- iCloud Mail has a free plan (5 GB, no own domain); StartMail has no free plan.
- Space: iCloud Mail gives 50 GB of storage, StartMail 20 GB of storage.
- iCloud Mail keeps your mail in the United States and worldwide, while StartMail keeps it in the Netherlands.
- The companies sit under different laws: iCloud Mail in United States, StartMail in Netherlands.
- On encryption, iCloud Mail doesn't encrypt mail end to end, whereas StartMail offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage).
- Aliases: iCloud Mail offers hide my email, StartMail unlimited throwaway addresses.
iCloud Mail and StartMail: your questions
Is iCloud Mail more private than StartMail?
StartMail scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and iCloud Mail 0.5. StartMail gives you your mail kept in the Netherlands.
Is iCloud Mail cheaper than StartMail?
iCloud Mail is cheaper. Its iCloud+ 50 GB plan is £0.99 a month, against $4.99 a month for StartMail's Personal. 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 StartMail?
Yes, both do. iCloud Mail: Up to 5. StartMail: 1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one.
Where is my email stored with iCloud Mail and StartMail?
iCloud Mail keeps it in the United States and worldwide. StartMail keeps it in the Netherlands.
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 · StartMail news.
Not sold on either? Try these
iCloud Mail vs mailbox.org · StartMail vs mailbox.org · iCloud Mail vs Posteo · StartMail vs Posteo · iCloud Mail vs Proton Mail · StartMail vs Proton Mail
Switching between them
Ready to move? My step-by-step guides cover your mail, contacts, forwarding and your own domain: iCloud Mail to StartMail · StartMail to iCloud Mail.