Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Cloaked vs Runbox
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Cloaked | Runbox ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $14.99 | €1.66 |
| Free plan limits | Free one-time data exposure scan | Free trial only (30 days): 1 GB email storage, 100 MB file storage, 20 recipients per day; no permanent free plan |
| End-to-end encryption | All messages, emails and texts are encrypted inside Cloaked; zero-knowledge architecture with a separate encrypted database per user | 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 |
| Jurisdiction | US | NO |
| Custom domains | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Open source | Not confirmed | Yes |
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Key differences
- Runbox scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 8.2.
- Support channels: only Runbox offers Community.
- Founded is lower at Runbox: 2000 vs 2020.
- Pricing model: only Cloaked offers Free.
- Pricing model: only Runbox offers Budget.
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.
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 | Cloaked | Runbox |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.1Monthly is $14.99, annual is $119.99, and the Family plan is $29.99 a month for the whole group. | 9.7HigherBudget plan entry of €1.66 against a median of €6.84 and a long term median of €3.97. |
| Offer | 8.3 | 9.1Higher |
| Privacy | 8.0 | 9.3Higher |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Cloaked | Runbox |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States | Norway |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Cloaked | Runbox |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 56 of 280 | 68 of 280 |
| Secure email and messaging | 10 of 60 | 15 of 60 |
Where these facts come from
Cloaked
- cloaked.com: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Runbox
- runbox.com: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- help.runbox.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Cloaked | Runbox |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Budget |
| Legal entity | Cloaked, Inc. | Runbox Solutions AS |
| Headquarters | United States | Norway |
| Founded | 2020 | 2000Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Email, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Password managers
| Fact | Cloaked | Runbox |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | No |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Chrome extension | Web, iOS, Android, Windows, Macos, Linux |
| 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 | Runbox |
|---|---|---|
| Logging policy | End-to-end encrypted with zero-knowledge architecture; no browsing history collected for Cloaked VPN; no advertising cookies; data never sold | 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 |
Data removal
| Fact | Cloaked | Runbox |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Runbox |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $14.99 | Not confirmed |
| 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.
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
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.
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
Cloaked
Current offer
Free trial
14 Days Free: 14 days free
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
Country by country
| Country | Cloaked | Runbox |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
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.