# EssentialPIM vs Encrypted Email

The clearest difference is rating: Encrypted Email at 3.8 against EssentialPIM's 2.6. Encrypted Email also leads on review sentiment (42% vs 21%) and ratings volume (76 vs 12). EssentialPIM's advantage is monetization model (free vs freemium). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Encrypted Email holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 2.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Encrypted Email has 76 ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 21% of EssentialPIM's written reviews are positive against 42% of Encrypted Email's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | EssentialPIM | Encrypted Email |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.6 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essentialpim/id537150179/reviews) | **[3.8 (76 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/encrypted-email-mailfence/id1628808776/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 12 | **76** |
| Positive reviews | 21.1% of reviews | **41.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 15 MB | 34 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 13.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Astonsoft](https://appshunter.io/developer/397928091) | [Contactoffice Group](https://appshunter.io/developer/1563748897) |

## What reviewers say

### EssentialPIM

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essentialpim/id537150179)

Manage your personal information with this comprehensive organizer. It handles calendars, tasks, contacts, and passwords, with seamless synchronization across devices and platforms. Organize tasks hierarchically and securely store sensitive data.

**Highlights:** Calendar management, Task management with hierarchical structure, Contact organization, Secure password storage, Synchronization with Windows version, Synchronization with Google Tasks

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Encrypted Email

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/encrypted-email-mailfence/id1628808776)

This app provides a secure and private email service with integrated cloud storage, calendar, and contacts. It offers end-to-end encryption and password-protected emails for enhanced privacy. Ideal for individuals and businesses seeking a secure communication and collaboration platform.

**Highlights:** OpenPGP encrypted emails, Password-protected emails, Integrated cloud storage (Drive), Shared calendars and contacts, Workspaces for collaboration, No tracking or ads

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 Secure and private email
- 👍 Clean and simple interface
- 🚫 No ads, no spam
- 🇪🇺 European-based service
- ✨ Minimalist design

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent login issues
- 🐛 Emails going to spam
- 🐛 Unreliable notifications
- 🐛 Signup blocks privacy-minded users
- 🐛 Poor customer support for free users

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to reach servers on phone app
- App scrolls text off screen while typing
- Emails going to spam folder
- Login failures on iOS
- App doesn't recognize login/password after update

**Requested features**

- Allow account creation with VPNs/privacy tools
- More specific error messages during signup
- Grace period and human review for signup false positives
- Ability to mark emails as 'not spam'
- Folder creation within the app


## Frequently asked questions

### Is EssentialPIM free?

EssentialPIM is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Encrypted Email free?

Encrypted Email is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, EssentialPIM or Encrypted Email?

Encrypted Email is rated higher. EssentialPIM averages 2.6 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while Encrypted Email averages 3.8 from 76 ratings.

### Do EssentialPIM or Encrypted Email have ads?

Neither EssentialPIM nor Encrypted Email shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, EssentialPIM or Encrypted Email?

EssentialPIM ships an update every 2 months, and Encrypted Email every 2 months. Most recently, EssentialPIM was updated on October 6, 2026 and Encrypted Email on October 15, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*