Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Apple Inc. vs MEGA
Apple Inc.
Higher score in this comparison
MEGA
What sets them apart
| Compare | Apple Inc.ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | MEGAReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $0.99 | €15 |
| Free plan limits | Aliases via Sign in with Apple are free with an Apple Account; changing the Forward To address requires iCloud+ | 20 GB storage, limited transfer |
| Platforms | iOS, IPadOS, MacOS, VisionOS, TvOS, WatchOS, Web | Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS, Web |
| 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 | Zero-knowledge: cannot decrypt files or chats; retains unencrypted metadata such as IP address, device ID, browser and OS type, file sizes, chat times and participants |
| Jurisdiction | US | HU |
| Open source | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Privacy tool type | Not confirmed | Ad blocker |
Same on both: Free plan (Yes).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- Apple Inc. scores higher overall: 9.7 vs 9.5.
- Platforms: only Apple Inc. offers IPadOS, VisionOS, TvOS.
- Platforms: only MEGA offers Android, Windows.
- Support channels: only Apple Inc. offers Phone, Chat, Community.
- Support channels: only MEGA offers Email.
- Founded is lower at Apple Inc.: 1976 vs 2013.
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.
MEGA
MEGA suits people who want generous encrypted storage with a VPN and an ad-blocker folded in, and who will read the metadata clause before paying. Storage costs €15 per TB per year, and the free tier gives 20 to try before committing.
Score breakdown
| Area | Apple Inc. | MEGA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.5Entry starts at $0.99 and monthly runs $0.99, under the €7.89 site median, with storage at $119.88 per terabyte per year. | 9.9HigherStorage at €15 per TB per year and 20 of free storage keep the entry cost low. |
| Offer | 9.6Higher | 9.3Wide bundle: kill switch and split tunnelling, Android, iOS and Windows and an ad-blocker on the storage account. |
| Privacy | 10.0Higher | 9.1 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Apple Inc. | MEGA |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States | Hungary |
How they place
| Ranking | Apple Inc. | MEGA |
|---|---|---|
| VPNs | 63 of 232 | 64 of 232 |
| Privacy tools | 43 of 281 | 48 of 281 |
| Secure cloud storage and backup | 11 of 70 | 13 of 70 |
| Free VPNs | 42 of 189 | 43 of 189 |
Choosing between them
Pick Apple Inc. if offer and privacy matter most.
Pick MEGA if cost matter most.
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Apple Inc. | MEGA |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free, Budget | Free, Budget |
| Legal entity | Apple Inc. | MEGA Privacy Kft |
| Headquarters | United States | Hungary |
| Founded | 1976Lower | 2013 |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre, Community | Email, Help centre |
Password managers
| Fact | Apple Inc. | MEGA |
|---|---|---|
| Passkeys | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Encryption | Encryption and Data Protection | Zero-knowledge (user-controlled) end-to-end encryption |
| Features | Screen time, Web filter | Kill switch, Split tunnelling |
| Zero-knowledge encryption | No | YesHas it |
VPN
| Fact | Apple Inc. | MEGA |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $0.99Lower | $3.99 |
| Long-term plan price | Not confirmed | $1.67 |
| Devices | Not confirmed | 10 |
| Features | No logs, TravelCovers more | No logs |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Business |
| Renewal price | Not confirmed | $3.99 |
| Owner | Apple Inc. | MEGA Networks LLC |
| Longest plan (months) | Not confirmed | 24 months |
Secure email
| Fact | Apple Inc. | MEGA |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Not confirmed |
| Custom domains | No | Not confirmed |
Encrypted storage
| Fact | Apple Inc. | MEGA |
|---|---|---|
| Free storage | 5 | 20Higher |
| Price per TB per year | $119.88 | €15 |
Parental controls
| Fact | Apple Inc. | MEGA |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
MEGA
Pros
- The free plan is usable rather than token: 20 of storage, with the stated limits 20 GB storage, limited transfer.
- Encryption is user-controlled and end-to-end, listed as yes, the app is open source, and the same account carries the VPN and the ad-blocker.
- A VPN that covers 10 devices and adds kill switch and split tunnelling on top of the storage.
Cons
- Transfers on the free tier are capped, with the stated limits 20 GB storage, limited transfer, so it works as a working folder rather than an archive.
- The MEGA VPN monthly plan renews at $3.99 while the long-term plan sits at $1.67, so the low figure comes with a longer commitment.
- Support runs on email and help centre only, with no live chat or phone line in the mix.
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.
MEGA
Who it suits
- People who want storage, a VPN and an ad-blocker under a single login rather than separate subscriptions.
- Readers who weigh entry price and free allowance before they look at anything else.
- Business users, the audience MEGA names for its VPN, working across 10 devices.
Who should look elsewhere
- Apple users who only want 5 of synced space inside the ecosystem they already own.
- Degoo shoppers after a plain backup bucket priced at $23.98 per TB per year and nothing more to learn.
- Acronis users who want 50 of free space or full system imaging, where MEGA's free allowance is smaller.
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
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+.
MEGA
What does MEGA cost for storage and for the VPN?+
Storage starts at €15 and works out at €15 per TB per year. The VPN is priced separately: $3.99 monthly, with a long-term rate of $1.67. A free plan sits alongside both, so the bundle can be checked before any of those figures reach a card.
How much space do I get on the free plan?+
The free plan comes with 20 of storage, and the stated limits are 20 GB storage, limited transfer. Transfer is the part that ends first, so treat it as a working folder rather than an archive. For comparison, Apple hands out 5 and Acronis 50 at no cost.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Apple Inc.
MEGA