Apple Challenges Google: Business Email is Now Free!

JAKARTA - Apple's steps are getting more aggressive: through the new Apple Business Mail service, the Cupertino giant is openly "attacking" the enterprise email market that has been dominated by Google.

This service is part of the Apple Business platform that will launch on April 14, 2026, allowing companies to create business emails complete with calendars and internal directories - without a basic fee or free.

With support for up to 500 users per organization, Apple Business Mail directly targets the small to medium business segment that has been relying on Google Workspace or Microsoft 365.

Apple relies on a classic but deadly approach: pricing. Each account will get 5GB of free storage through iCloud, with the option to upgrade to 2TB per paid user.

Interestingly, this service is not locked only to the Apple ecosystem. Apple Business Mail remains compatible with the IMAP protocol, meaning it can be used in various email clients - including Windows and Android. This is a clear signal: Apple is starting to open up in order to seize a wider market.

Users can also use custom domains, whether purchased from outside or directly through Apple, giving the impression of professionalism without the need for complex setup.

This move comes at the right time. In recent years, Google has gradually removed free packages for its business services - opening a gap that Apple is now trying to exploit.

By combining email, calendar, device management, and collaboration tools in one platform, Apple seems to be building a serious alternative to Google and Microsoft's dominance in the realm of work productivity.