Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Apple Inc. vs Fastmail
Apple Inc. vs Fastmail: the differences
| 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 | Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web browser |
| 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 |
| Protocols | Not confirmed | JMAP, IMAP, POP, SMTP, CalDAV, CardDAV, WebDAV, OAuth 2.0 |
| Open source | Not confirmed | No |
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Key differences
- Apple Inc. scores higher overall: 9.7 vs 9.3.
- Free plan: only Apple Inc..
- Platforms: only Apple Inc. offers IPadOS, VisionOS, TvOS.
- Platforms: only Fastmail offers Windows, Linux, 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 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 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. | 9.2The entry point of €4 sits under the site's median starting price of €6.84, so cost reads as fair rather than cheap. |
| Offer | 9.6Higher | 9.1 |
| Privacy | 10.0Higher | 9.6 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Apple Inc. | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| VPNs | 84 of 232 | 25 of 232 |
| Privacy tools | 60 of 280 | 23 of 280 |
| Secure email and messaging | 12 of 60 | 4 of 60 |
| Free VPNs | 63 of 189 | 21 of 189 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Apple Inc. | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States | Australia |
What we checked
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: 12 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Apple Inc. | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free, Budget | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Apple Inc. | Fastmail Pty Ltd (ACN 142 646 580) |
| 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 | €6 |
| Long-term plan price | Not confirmed | €4.67 |
| Devices | Not confirmed | 6 |
| Features | No logs, Travel | Not confirmed |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Business |
| Owner | Apple Inc. | Independent company, founder Rob Mueller |
| Longest plan (months) | Not confirmed | 36 months |
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
- 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 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
- 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 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
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 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
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.