Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Apple Inc. vs Fastmail
Where Apple Inc. and Fastmail differ
| Compare | Apple Inc. ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $0.99 | €4 |
| Free plan | YesHas it | No |
| Free plan limits | Aliases via Sign in with Apple are free with an Apple Account; changing the Forward To address requires iCloud+ | No free plan; 30-day free trial |
| Platforms | iOS, IPadOS, MacOS, VisionOS, TvOS, WatchOS, Web | Web, iOS, Android |
| 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 |
| Jurisdiction | US | AU |
| Open source | Not confirmed | No |
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Key differences
- Apple Inc. scores higher overall: 9.7 vs 9.0.
- Free plan: only Apple Inc..
- Platforms: only Apple Inc. offers IPadOS, MacOS, VisionOS.
- Platforms: only Fastmail offers Android.
- Support channels: only Apple Inc. offers Phone, Chat, Community.
- Support channels: only Fastmail offers Email.
- Founded is lower at Apple Inc.: 1976 vs 1999.
Our verdict on each
Apple Inc.
Apple folds relay aliases, 5 gigabytes of free iCloud+ storage and passkeys into the platforms most people already own. It suits Apple only households wanting private storage in a single account, while readers who need storage they alone can read or end-to-end encrypted mail should look elsewhere.
Fastmail
Fastmail suits readers who want a custom domain and a quick mailbox at a mid-range price, not a privacy-first service with end-to-end encryption in its apps. It ranks 15 on price from among the brands compared here, and its own apps carry no end-to-end encryption.
Score breakdown
| Area | Apple Inc. | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.5HigherEntry starts at $0.99 and monthly runs $0.99, under the €7.89 site median, with storage at $119.88 per terabyte per year. | 9.3 |
| Offer | 9.6Higher | 8.7 |
| Privacy | 10.0Higher | 8.9 |
Where these facts come from
Apple Inc.
- apple.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- support.apple.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Fastmail
- fastmail.com: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Apple Inc. | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 60 of 280 | 37 of 280 |
| Secure email and messaging | 12 of 60 | 6 of 60 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Apple Inc. | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free, Budget | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Apple Inc. | Fastmail Pty Ltd |
| Headquarters | United States | Australia |
| Founded | 1976Lower | 1999 |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre, Community | Email, Help centre |
Password managers
| Fact | Apple Inc. | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Passkeys | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Encryption | Encryption and Data Protection | Not confirmed |
| Features | Screen time, Web filter | Not confirmed |
| Zero-knowledge encryption | No | Not confirmed |
VPN
| Fact | Apple Inc. | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $0.99 | Not confirmed |
| Features | No logs, Travel | Not confirmed |
| Owner | Apple Inc. | Not confirmed |
Secure email
| Fact | Apple Inc. | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Custom domains | No | YesHas it |
Encrypted storage
| Fact | Apple Inc. | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Free storage | 5 | Not confirmed |
| Price per TB per year | $119.88 | Not confirmed |
Parental controls
| Fact | Apple Inc. | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly price | $0 | Not confirmed |
Pros and cons
Apple Inc.
Pros
- Sign in with Apple issues relay aliases at no cost to Apple Account holders, so the free plan is a real starting point rather than a trial.
- Entry sits at $0.99, below the $19.99 and $14.99 starting prices of the two paid alternatives here.
- A single subscription spans iOS, iPadOS and macOS, so storage and aliases need no extra purchase per device.
Cons
- iCloud+ storage is not sealed so that only the account holder can read it, and what is stored stays within Apple's reach under Encryption and Data Protection.
- End-to-end encryption is not offered for alias mail, since Apple Inc. relays and forwards it, so an alias is not a private channel for sensitive messages.
- Custom domains are not available, so an alias cannot sit on a domain you own.
Fastmail
Pros
- Custom domains: yes, so mail runs on an address you own rather than a provider address.
- Platform coverage of web, ios and android means a single account works in a browser and on both mobile platforms.
- Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Australia, Fastmail Pty Ltd operates under AU terms.
Cons
- Technical data such as IP addresses and client identifiers is logged for security, troubleshooting and auditing, and IP logs are kept for a retention period.
- Phone support is not among its email and help centre.
Who each suits
Apple Inc.
Who it suits
- Apple households that already pay for iCloud+ and want more capacity plus relay aliases from the same account.
- Readers who want one subscription across iOS, iPadOS and macOS instead of separate tools per device family.
- People willing to trade storage their provider can still read for low entry pricing and broad platform reach.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who need end-to-end encrypted mail or storage only the account holder can read, since neither is part of what the plan includes.
- Buyers shopping for a free standalone security toolkit, since Token2 hands over an in-browser authenticator toolset and a QR decoder without creating an account.
- Shoppers who want a priced privacy product outside the Apple ecosystem, where EasyOptOuts at $19.99 and Vipre Security at $14.99 are the paid comparisons here.
Fastmail
Who it suits
- Readers who want mail on a domain they own, since custom domains are supported.
- People who want a single account on web, ios and android and a price to plan around at entry and again at renewal.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who compare entry prices with addy.io at $1 or Apple Hide My Email at $0.99 and want the smaller starting figure.
- Anyone who needs a standing no-cost tier, since the free plan is no and the only introductory offer is a trial.
Current offers
Apple Inc.
Current offer
Free trial
Get 3 months of Apple One free with any new iPhone, iPad, or Mac: 3 months free
New and qualified returning subscribers only. $21.95 or $27.95 or $39.95 per month after trial based on plan selected. Only one offer per Apple Account and per family. Not available if a previous three-months-free offer was accepted. Offer good for three months after eligible device activation. Plan automatically renews until cancelled.
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Fastmail
Current offer
Free trial
30-day free trial: 30 days free
Try free for up to 30 days; no refunds for unused subscriptions
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
Apple Inc.
What does iCloud+ cost to start?+
iCloud+ starts at $0.99, and the monthly rate is the same figure, $0.99. Storage is the only part that carries a charge; Sign in with Apple aliases stay at no cost to Apple Account holders. For context, the median entry price across the brands compared here is €6.84.
Is there a free plan and what does it cover?+
A free plan is part of the service. Sign in with Apple issues relay aliases at no cost to anyone holding an Apple Account, and free storage stands at 5 gigabytes with a yearly price of $0. The limit: repointing an alias at a different inbox needs iCloud+.
Fastmail
How much does Fastmail cost to start?+
The entry plan starts at €4. The free plan is no, and the free plan limits read No free plan; 30-day free trial, so the trial is the only no-cost look. Budget for the paid plan at entry and again at renewal.
Is there a free plan or a free trial?+
The free plan is no, and the free plan limits read No free plan; 30-day free trial, which lists the trial as the only no-cost entry. Nothing carries into a standing account at no charge, so readers who compare services on a permanent no-cost tier should set this one aside.