Apple Mail vs iCloud Mail

Apple Mail9.3Visit iCloud Mail8.9Visit

Higher score Apple Mail #2 in Email Apps 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Apple Mail

vs

iCloud Mail #6 in Email Apps 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Apple

• Apple Mail fits best

  Apple users managing several email accounts

• iCloud Mail fits best

  Apple users wanting integrated personal email

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Side by side

Feature	Apple Mail 9.3/10 Visit ↗	iCloud Mail 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.9
Ranking	#2 in Email Apps	#6 in Email Apps
Best for	Apple users managing several email accounts	Apple users wanting integrated personal email
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Free plan	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	macOS, iOS	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS
Integrations	5 integrations	2 integrations
Features Apple Mail 1/3 · iCloud Mail 1/3
Unified inbox	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
End-to-end encryption	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Custom domains	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Accounts supported	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Platforms	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Included storage	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Combines multiple providers in one All Inboxes view Supports scheduled sending and Mail Drop for large files Includes Mail Privacy Protection and Apple Intelligence features	Syncs mail and settings across Apple devices, Windows, and iCloud.com Includes folders, filtering rules, junk-mail management, and up to three aliases Mail Drop supports attachments up to 5 GB
Cons	Native Mail apps are limited to macOS and iOS Some features depend on device, system, provider, language, or region Support channels are community and documentation	The free 5 GB of storage is shared with other iCloud data Custom email domains require an iCloud+ plan Its platform coverage is narrower than services available across more ecosystems
Our verdict	Apple Mail is a free email client included with Apple devices, aimed at people who want to manage several accounts in one application. It is available on macOS and iOS, and supports accounts from iCloud, Gmail, Microsoft Exchange, Yahoo,… Read the review →	With an @icloud.com address and mail synchronization across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows, and iCloud.com, iCloud Mail is aimed at people who want personal email connected to Apple’s ecosystem. It includes folders, filtering rules, junk-mail… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Apple Mail — where it wins

  • Combines multiple providers in one All Inboxes view
  • Supports scheduled sending and Mail Drop for large files
  • Includes Mail Privacy Protection and Apple Intelligence features

  Where it doesn't

  • Native Mail apps are limited to macOS and iOS
  • Some features depend on device, system, provider, language, or region
  • Support channels are community and documentation

• iCloud Mail — where it wins

  • Syncs mail and settings across Apple devices, Windows, and iCloud.com
  • Includes folders, filtering rules, junk-mail management, and up to three aliases
  • Mail Drop supports attachments up to 5 GB

  Where it doesn't

  • The free 5 GB of storage is shared with other iCloud data
  • Custom email domains require an iCloud+ plan
  • Its platform coverage is narrower than services available across more ecosystems

• Apple Mail9.3/10 · Free plan

  A free Apple email app with a unified inbox, scheduled sending, and provider support.

  Visit Apple MailFull verdict →
• iCloud Mail8.9/10 · Free plan

  A free personal email service with cross-device sync and optional iCloud+ features.

  Visit AppleFull verdict →