FastMail, Dropbox, Apple iCloud (Photos, Keychain, etc)

Would definitely not recommend ecosystems. They can and do lock you out and you have more to lose.

I’m able to get ahold of a human for support with all products I mentioned. I’m unable to get ahold of a human at Google ever for any of their consumer offerings. I see lots of HN threads begging for Google support, I see no HN threads begging for support from any of the companies I listed.

You should always have backups, regardless of provider.

+1 for fastmail, it has built-in backup mechanisms.

Fastmail. But you have to pay.

Paying is fine. Makes me the customer, not the product. Was just wondering which alternatives were worth considering :) thanks

Proton.

100 percent use proton!

I am very happy with Apple and iCloud, seriously. I've got plenty of cloud space for a fair price, it integrates seamlessly with Apple devices, ships with a password manager, you can hide your mail addresses, and other goodies. I've never had a problem with it.

There are similar stories with Apple: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38625875

Do you or someone else know if Fastmail is any better? If I buy a Fastmail email, what protections exist that would stop them from accidentally or arbitrarily locking me out?

And note, I don't live in the US. I'm wondering about this question from a global perspective.

1. Use your own domain, to have a migration path out when needed.

2. Use JMAP/IMAP or https://www.fastmail.help/hc/en-us/articles/360060590573-Dow... and keep a copy of all your mail locally.

Last time I went to France, Apple locked my iCloud for the duration until I could get back and login from a USA IP address. They even cancelled my Apple Card. And France is not exactly a suspicious destination, and I go there 4 times every year. I don't think Apple account abuse systems work better than Google's.

postale.io

Requires your own domain.