Proton Mail vs iCloud Mail
On privacy it's Proton Mail. On price it's iCloud Mail. On features it's iCloud Mail. Here's everything side by side, last checked 23 October 2026.
Proton Mail or iCloud Mail: which should you choose?
- Proton Mail suits you best if you want end-to-end encryption built in; your mailbox stored in Switzerland; and more built in, including PGP encryption as well as password-protected email to anyone.
- iCloud Mail suits you best if you want the lower price (£0.99 a month); more room (50 GB, against 15 GB); and to read your mail in any app, such as Apple Mail, Outlook or Thunderbird.
| Feature | Proton Mail | iCloud Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.5 | 3.0 |
| Privacy | 5.0 | 0.5 |
| Price | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Mail Plus $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly) | iCloud+ 50 GB £0.99 a month |
| Free plan | Yes, 1 GB, no own domain | Yes, 5 GB, no own domain |
| Storage | 15 GB | 50 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ 1 | ✓ Up to 5 |
| End-to-end encryption | ✓ Built in | No |
| Company based in | Switzerland | United States |
| Your data is kept in | Switzerland | United States and worldwide |
| Founded | 2014 | 2011 |
| Free trial | Free plan; 30-day refund on paid plans | Free (5 GB) |
| Funded by advertising | No | No |
| Works in any mail app | With Proton Bridge on paid plans | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Aliases | 10 addresses | Hide My Email |
| Open-source apps | ✓ Yes | No |
| Sign up without ID | ✓ Yes | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | Offer Proton's current deals | None |
| Last checked | 23 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
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Where they differ
- On price: Proton Mail Mail Plus at $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly), against iCloud Mail iCloud+ 50 GB at £0.99 a month.
- For free, Proton Mail gives you a free plan (1 GB, no own domain), and iCloud Mail a free plan (5 GB, no own domain).
- Proton Mail comes with 15 GB of storage and iCloud Mail with 50 GB of storage.
- Your mail is stored in Switzerland with Proton Mail, and in the United States and worldwide with iCloud Mail.
- Proton Mail is based in Switzerland and iCloud Mail in the United States, so different privacy laws apply.
- Proton Mail encrypts mail end to end; iCloud Mail doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans, and iCloud Mail works in any mail app over IMAP.
- For extra addresses, Proton Mail has 10 addresses and iCloud Mail has hide my email.
Proton Mail and iCloud Mail: your questions
Which is more private, Proton Mail or iCloud Mail?
Proton Mail scores 5 out of 5 for privacy and iCloud Mail 0.5. Proton Mail gives you end-to-end encryption built in, your mailbox stored in Switzerland and open-source apps anyone can check.
Which is cheaper, Proton Mail or iCloud Mail?
iCloud Mail is cheaper. Its iCloud+ 50 GB plan is £0.99 a month, against $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly) for Proton Mail's Mail Plus. iCloud Mail and Proton Mail also have a free plan. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Do Proton Mail and iCloud Mail work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. Proton Mail: 1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one. iCloud Mail: Up to 5.
Where do Proton Mail and iCloud Mail keep my email?
Proton Mail keeps it in Switzerland. iCloud Mail keeps it in the United States and worldwide.
Do Proton Mail and iCloud Mail work in other mail apps?
Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans. iCloud Mail works in any mail app over IMAP.
Recent price changes
- 1 July 2023 iCloud Mail: £0.99 (UK price rise, 2023)
- 1 June 2023 iCloud Mail: £0.79
The latest headlines: Proton Mail news · iCloud Mail news.
Not sold on either? Try these
Proton Mail vs mailbox.org · iCloud Mail vs mailbox.org · Proton Mail vs Posteo · iCloud Mail vs Posteo · Proton Mail vs Tuta · iCloud Mail vs Tuta
Switching between them
Switching takes an evening to set up. Follow the steps for your direction: Proton Mail to iCloud Mail · iCloud Mail to Proton Mail.