Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Cloaked vs Fastmail
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Cloaked |  Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $14.99 | €4 |
| Free plan limits | Free one-time data exposure scan | No free plan; 30-day free trial |
| End-to-end encryption | All messages, emails and texts are encrypted inside Cloaked; zero-knowledge architecture with a separate encrypted database per user | No end-to-end encryption in Fastmail's own apps; PGP or S/MIME only via third-party apps |
| Jurisdiction | US | AU |
| Custom domains | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Open source | Not confirmed | No |
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Key differences
- Fastmail scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 8.2.
- Founded is lower at Fastmail: 1999 vs 2020.
Our verdict on each
Cloaked
Cloaked puts an encrypted alias inbox, data broker removal and identity monitoring behind a single subscription, which suits readers in US and CA who prefer their privacy tools bundled. Identity cover comes at $1,000,000, and there is no free tier to fall back on.
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 | Cloaked | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.1Monthly is $14.99, annual is $119.99, and the Family plan is $29.99 a month for the whole group. | 9.2HigherThe entry point of €4 sits under the site's median starting price of €6.84, so cost reads as fair rather than cheap. |
| Offer | 8.3 | 9.1Higher |
| Privacy | 8.0 | 9.6Higher |
Licences and countries
| Country | Cloaked | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States | Australia |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Cloaked | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 56 of 280 | 23 of 280 |
| Secure email and messaging | 10 of 60 | 4 of 60 |
Where these facts come from
Cloaked
- cloaked.com: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Fastmail
- fastmail.com: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Cloaked | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Cloaked, Inc. | Fastmail Pty Ltd (ACN 142 646 580) |
| Headquarters | United States | Australia |
| Founded | 2020 | 1999Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Email, Help centre |
Password managers
| Fact | Cloaked | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | No |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Chrome extension | Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web browser |
| Family plan | Family: you + 3, $29.99/month or $299.99/year | Not confirmed |
| Security audit | SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, ISO 27701, PCI DSS v4.0.1 | Not confirmed |
| Encryption | End-to-end encrypted, zero-knowledge architecture | Not confirmed |
| Features | TOTP | Not confirmed |
Privacy tools
| Fact | Cloaked | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Protocols | Not confirmed | JMAP, IMAP, POP, SMTP, CalDAV, CardDAV, WebDAV, OAuth 2.0 |
| Logging policy | End-to-end encrypted with zero-knowledge architecture; no browsing history collected for Cloaked VPN; no advertising cookies; data never sold | Logs technical data such as IP addresses and client identifiers for security, troubleshooting and auditing; IP logs retained for up to one year |
Data removal
| Fact | Cloaked | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly price | $119.99 | Not confirmed |
| Data brokers covered | from 1,000 | Not confirmed |
| Countries covered | United States, Canada | Not confirmed |
| Removal frequency | Always-on continuous monitoring and re-removal in the background | Not confirmed |
Identity protection
| Fact | Cloaked | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $14.99 | €6 |
| Insurance amount | $1,000,000 | Not confirmed |
| Family plan price | $29.99 | Not confirmed |
| Free trial length | 14 days | Not confirmed |
Pros and cons
Cloaked
Pros
- Removal runs always-on, monitoring and re-removing in the background across from 1,000 data brokers.
- Messages, emails and texts are encrypted inside the app, each user with a separate encrypted database, under End-to-end encrypted, zero-knowledge architecture.
- Independent audits listed as SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, ISO 27701, PCI DSS v4.0.1.
Cons
- There is no free plan, only Free one-time data exposure scan.
- Entry pricing of $14.99 for the standard plan sits above the secure-email group median of €4.38.
- Coverage is limited to US and CA, and support runs on email and help centre.
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
Cloaked
Who it suits
- Readers in US and CA who want broker removal next to encrypted mail instead of separate subscriptions.
- Households ready to pay $29.99 a month on the Family plan.
- People who check certifications before paying, with SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, ISO 27701, PCI DSS v4.0.1 listed.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who want only an alias: Apple Hide My Email starts at $0.99.
- Budget-first buyers, since addy.io starts at $1 against Cloaked at $14.99.
- Apple Inc. customers after an alias and nothing more, listed at $0.99.
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
Cloaked
Current offer
Free trial
14 Days Free: 14 days free
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
Country by country
| Country | Cloaked | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | Yes | No |
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Cloaked
How much does Cloaked cost at entry and on renewal?+
Plans start at $14.99. The monthly rate is $14.99 and the annual rate is $119.99, so the annual figure is what to budget for once the first billing period is done. For context, the secure-email group median is €6.47 a month.
Is there a free plan or a free trial?+
There is no free plan. The only no-cost piece is Free one-time data exposure scan, a single check rather than ongoing monitoring. Paid access can be tried first on a free trial of 14 days, and the subscription then covers always-on removal and encrypted mail on iOS, Android and Chrome extension.
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.