
<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 23.1

                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
                      ----------------------------------



We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on
Form S-8 of our report dated January 28, 1999, except as to the subsequent
events described in Note 9 which is as of March 26, 1999, relating to the
financial statements, which appears in the Registration Statement of Critical
Path, Inc. on Form S-1 dated June 1, 1999.


/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

San Jose, California
September 17, 1999


