Startmail vs Apple Mail (iCloud) Comparison (2026)

What are the differences between Startmail and Apple Mail (iCloud)?

Forward Email Team
Written by
Forward Email TeamVerified
Published
2/1/26
Time to read
Less than 5 minutes
We recommend Forward Email as the best alternative to Startmail. We also support webmail: https://mail.forwardemail.net

Email Service Comparison

20 facts in comparison
Startmailvs.Apple Mail (iCloud)

Startmail

Private email you can trust
"Private email you can trust"
  • Hardenize Test
  • Internet.nl Site Test
  • Internet.nl Mail Test
  • Mozilla HTTP Observatory Grade
  • Qualys SSL Labs SSL Server Test
vs.

Apple Mail (iCloud)

Private, secure, and personal email from Apple
"Private, secure, and personal email from Apple"
  • Hardenize Test
  • Internet.nl Site Test
  • Internet.nl Mail Test
  • Mozilla HTTP Observatory Grade
  • Qualys SSL Labs SSL Server Test
$7/moPricing$0.99
20 GBStorage50 GB pooled
25 MBAttachments20 MB
NoOpen-SourceNo
❌ Startmail claims to use a User Vault, but this statement has not been audited and their source code is closed-sourceSandboxed Encryption No
NoUnlimited DomainsNo
NoUnlimited AliasesNo
NoTTI No
YesSMTPYes
YesIMAPYes
YesPOP3❌ iCloud does not support POP3
NoAPINo
⚠️ Supported if both sender and recipient are using OpenPGPE2EE No
⚠️ Supports OpenPGP, but does not support WKDOpenPGP No
NoWKD No

Email Service Screenshots

Closed-source

Startmail

Startmail is a closed-source email service. Their website says: Private email you can trust

Startmail is a closed-source email service.
Photo by Forward Email
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Closed-source

Apple Mail (iCloud)

Apple Mail (iCloud) is a closed-source email service. Its description from its website is: Private, secure, and personal email from Apple

Apple Mail (iCloud) is a closed-source email service.
Photograph by Forward Email
Visit Website

Compare Startmail with 78 email services