Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Apple Hide My Email vs Fastmail
Apple Hide My Email vs Fastmail: the differences
| Compare | Apple Hide My Email ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $0.99 | €4 |
| Free plan limits | Free 5GB iCloud plan excludes Hide My Email; it is included only with iCloud+ | No free plan; 30-day free trial |
| End-to-end encryption | None of the mail is end-to-end encrypted: aliases are relayed and forwarded by Apple, which states it does not read or process message content except spam filtering | No end-to-end encryption in Fastmail's own apps; PGP or S/MIME only via third-party apps |
| Jurisdiction | US | AU |
| Custom domains | No | YesHas it |
| Open source | Not confirmed | No |
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Key differences
- Apple Hide My Email scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.3.
- Custom domains: only Fastmail.
- Support channels: only Apple Hide My Email offers Phone, Community.
- Support channels: only Fastmail offers Email.
- Founded is lower at Apple Hide My Email: 1976 vs 1999.
Our verdict on each
Apple Hide My Email
Apple Hide My Email suits Apple users already inside iCloud+ who want an alias per shop or newsletter and will accept a free tier that excludes the feature. At $0.99 it is the cheapest paid entry in this group, though the relayed aliases carry no end to end encryption.
Fastmail
Fastmail is a paid email service for anyone who wants their own domain, standard protocols and a well supported inbox with no free plan. It suits solo users and small teams that will pay a subscription, with plans starting at €4 and a free trial to try first.
Score breakdown
| Area | Apple Hide My Email | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 10.0HigherEntry price of $0.99 sits under the category median of €4.38, and free keeps the base tier free. | 9.2The entry point of €4 sits under the site's median starting price of €6.84, so cost reads as fair rather than cheap. |
| Offer | 8.5 | 9.1Higher |
| Privacy | 10.0Higher | 9.6 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Apple Hide My Email | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States | Australia |
Pick Apple Hide My Email if, pick Fastmail if
Pick Apple Hide My Email if cost and privacy matter most.
Pick Fastmail if offer and custom domains matter most.
How they place
| Ranking | Apple Hide My Email | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 65 of 280 | 23 of 280 |
| Secure email and messaging | 14 of 60 | 4 of 60 |
Sources behind this comparison
Apple Hide My Email
- apple.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- support.apple.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Fastmail
- fastmail.com: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Apple Hide My Email | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Apple Inc. | Fastmail Pty Ltd (ACN 142 646 580) |
| Headquarters | United States | Australia |
| Founded | 1976Lower | 1999 |
| Support channels | Phone, Help centre, Community | Email, Help centre |
Privacy tools
| Fact | Apple Hide My Email | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | YesHas it | No |
| Platforms | iOS, IPadOS, MacOS, VisionOS, TvOS, WatchOS, Web | Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web browser |
| Protocols | Not confirmed | JMAP, IMAP, POP, SMTP, CalDAV, CardDAV, WebDAV, OAuth 2.0 |
| Logging policy | Apple does not read or process relayed message content except standard spam filtering; messages deleted from relay servers after delivery, usually within seconds | Logs technical data such as IP addresses and client identifiers for security, troubleshooting and auditing; IP logs retained for up to one year |
Pros and cons
Apple Hide My Email
Pros
- Entry price of $0.99 undercuts addy.io at $1 and Session at $2.99
- A free plan is listed and free marks the base tier as free
- Support covers phone, help centre and community, including phone and community
Cons
- Apple relays and forwards every alias, and states it processes content only for spam filtering, so the protection sits at the address level rather than the message level
- The free plan limits put Hide My Email beyond the free iCloud plan, with the feature reserved for iCloud+ subscribers
- Custom domains are not supported, so every alias sits on a domain Apple controls
Fastmail
Pros
- Monthly billing costs €6, and the long-term plan costs €4.67 with the longest term offered running 36.
- Standard clients keep working because the service speaks JMAP, IMAP and POP.
- Apps run on Windows, macOS and Linux, so one account covers a browser, desktops and phones.
Cons
- End-to-end encryption is available as PGP or S/MIME, and Fastmail's own apps leave that setup to third-party apps.
- Support runs on email and help centre only, with no chat or phone line listed.
- Technical data such as IP addresses and client identifiers is kept for security, troubleshooting and auditing, and IP logs are held for a period.
Who each suits
Apple Hide My Email
Who it suits
- Apple households already paying for iCloud+ who want an alias per store or newsletter
- Readers who want alias forwarding with no separate account to set up
- People who keep most browsing inside Apple platforms and want a native app
Who should look elsewhere
- Non-Apple households, where addy.io is a separate option at $1 and iOS, iPadOS and macOS centres on Apple devices and the web
- Readers who want a standalone alias subscription rather than a bundle, where Posteo sits at €1
- Teams needing end-to-end encrypted mail, since this relay forwards through Apple and keeps the message body on that path
Fastmail
Who it suits
- Solo users and small teams that want a work inbox on a domain they own.
- People who rely on their own mail software, since the standard protocols are supported.
- Subscribers ready to commit, since the long-term plan is priced below monthly billing.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers shopping on price alone: Apple Inc. lists $0.99 and Sinew Software Systems lists $1.99, both below Fastmail's €6.
- Anyone counting on device breadth rather than an inbox, where ESET Brasil covers 3 to 25.
Current offers
Apple Hide My Email
Current offer
Free trial
3 months of Apple One free: 3 months Apple One free
New and qualified returning subscribers only; offer good for three months after eligible device activation; plan automatically renews until cancelled; not available if previously accepted an Apple One three-months-free offer
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Fastmail
Current offer
Free trial
Free trial on signup: 30 days
Offered on all plans; no refunds for unused subscriptions
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
Pay yearly and save: EUR 12 (Individual), EUR 24 (Duo), EUR 36 (Family)
Applied when paying 12 months in advance on Individual, Duo, Family and business plans; all prices tax-inclusive
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
Apple Hide My Email
How much does Apple Hide My Email cost?+
Entry sits at $0.99 through iCloud+, and that subscription is the route to the alias feature. A free plan is listed, but the free plan limits keep Hide My Email outside the free iCloud plan, with the feature reserved for iCloud+ subscribers. Treat it as a paid add-on inside an Apple bundle rather than a standalone subscription.
Is Apple Hide My Email end to end encrypted?+
End-to-end encryption sits outside this product. Apple relays and forwards every alias, and states it processes content only for spam filtering, so the guarantee covers the address you publish rather than the body travelling through the relay. Aliases mask identity; they do not create a private mailbox.
Fastmail
What does Fastmail cost month to month?+
Fastmail's monthly plan costs €6, and the long-term plan is priced at €4.67 per month. Entry pricing starts at €4, and the longest commitment offered runs 36, so the term you pick drives most of the cost.
Is there a free plan or a free trial?+
There is no free plan on Fastmail, so every account is paid and a free trial is the only route in without paying first. Paid pricing begins at €4 a month, and the monthly plan itself costs €6.