Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Apple Inc. vs Runbox
Where Apple Inc. and Runbox differ
| Compare | Apple Inc. ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | Runbox ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $0.99 | €1.66 |
| 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+ | Free trial only (30 days): 1 GB email storage, 100 MB file storage, 20 recipients per day; no permanent free plan |
| Platforms | iOS, IPadOS, MacOS, VisionOS, TvOS, WatchOS, Web | Web, iOS, Android, Windows, Macos, Linux |
| 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 | Server logs for system administration only; email delivery logs kept 10 days, web interface usage logs 1 month; no third-party tracking, no web beacons |
| Jurisdiction | US | NO |
| Open source | Not confirmed | Yes |
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Key differences
- Apple Inc. scores higher overall: 9.7 vs 9.4.
- Free plan: only Apple Inc..
- Platforms: only Apple Inc. offers IPadOS, VisionOS, TvOS.
- Platforms: only Runbox offers Android, Windows, Linux.
- Support channels: only Apple Inc. offers Phone, Chat.
- Support channels: only Runbox offers Email.
- Founded is lower at Apple Inc.: 1976 vs 2000.
- Pricing model: only Apple Inc. offers Free.
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.
Runbox
Runbox suits readers who want a full inbox with a custom domain, open source code and apps across every major platform, and who can accept that mail is encrypted in transit rather than end to end by default. The budget plan starts at €1.66, and there is no permanent free tier.
Score breakdown
| Area | Apple Inc. | Runbox |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 9.7HigherBudget plan entry of €1.66 against a median of €6.84 and a long term median of €3.97. |
| Offer | 9.6Higher | 9.1 |
| Privacy | 10.0Higher | 9.3 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Apple Inc. | Runbox |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 60 of 280 | 68 of 280 |
| Secure email and messaging | 12 of 60 | 15 of 60 |
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
Runbox
- runbox.com: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- help.runbox.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Apple Inc. | Runbox |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free, BudgetCovers more | Budget |
| Legal entity | Apple Inc. | Runbox Solutions AS |
| Headquarters | United States | Norway |
| Founded | 1976Lower | 2000 |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre, Community | Email, Help centre, Community |
Password managers
| Fact | Apple Inc. | Runbox |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Runbox |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $0.99 | Not confirmed |
| Features | No logs, Travel | Not confirmed |
| Owner | Apple Inc. | Not confirmed |
Secure email
| Fact | Apple Inc. | Runbox |
|---|---|---|
| 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 default end-to-end encryption; email is encrypted in transit only, and true E2EE is opt-in per message via S/MIME or PGP between sender and recipient |
| Custom domains | No | YesHas it |
Encrypted storage
| Fact | Apple Inc. | Runbox |
|---|---|---|
| Free storage | 5 | Not confirmed |
| Price per TB per year | $119.88 | Not confirmed |
Parental controls
| Fact | Apple Inc. | Runbox |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Runbox
Pros
- Custom domains are supported, so the mailbox can run on an address on a domain the reader owns.
- The web interface is open source, so the client side can be read rather than taken on trust.
- Apps cover web, ios and android, so one mailbox works in a browser and on phones and desktops.
Cons
- End-to-end encryption is a per message setting: email is encrypted in transit, and true end-to-end encryption is opt-in per message via S/MIME or PGP between sender and recipient, so key handling falls to the reader on the budget plan at €1.66.
- Free plan: no, so the cheapest way in is a time-limited trial with a fixed allowance of mail and file storage and a cap on recipients per day, rather than a mailbox that stays free.
- Support runs on email, help centre and community only, so there is no live chat or phone line for anything urgent.
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.
Runbox
Who it suits
- Readers who want a full mailbox on a domain they own, with apps on web, ios and android and support on email, help centre and community.
- People who treat transport encryption as enough and will set up S/MIME or PGP for the conversations that need more.
- Long-standing account holders who value that the web interface is open source and that logs are kept for system administration only.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who needs end-to-end encryption switched on by default, since here it is opt-in per message through S/MIME or PGP between sender and recipient.
- Price-first readers who can live with something simpler: addy.io lists $1 and Apple Hide My Email lists $0.99, both under the budget plan at €1.66.
- Readers unwilling to start on a trial, since the free plan is no and the budget plan at €1.66 is the entry.
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
Runbox
Current offer
Free trial
30-day free trial of all plans: 30 days free, no credit card required
Every new Runbox account starts with a free 30-day trial so you can try the service before committing. No payment details are required to start.
Source, checked September 26, 2026
First period offer
First month free when subscribing during the trial: 1 month free
You can skip the trial and pay for your selected plan right after signing up, and still receive your first month free.
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
60-day full money back guarantee: 60 days
We also offer a 60-day full refund policy, so if you subscribe and change your mind you can request a full refund within 60 days.
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+.
Runbox
How much is Runbox at the start of a subscription?+
The budget plan starts at €1.66, and that is the entry figure used when comparing providers. Custom domains are supported on the plan, so the mailbox can run on an address the reader owns. For orientation, the median entry price across the brands compared is €6.84, which places Runbox below the middle of the group.
What happens to the price at renewal?+
The published figure is an entry price of €1.66 for the budget plan, with no separate renewal rate stated alongside it. Across the brands compared, the median long term price is €3.97 and the median first year price is €49.95. Check the plan terms before the first bill rather than assuming the entry figure carries over.