Proton Mail review
End-to-end encrypted email from Switzerland
- Proton AG
- Free + paid plans
- iPhone & iPad, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, Web
Does it deserve #6?
The verdict
Proton Mail is the easiest way to move your email somewhere private. Messages are stored with zero-access encryption, emails between Proton users are end-to-end encrypted, and there's no ad-driven scanning of your inbox. Paid plans add custom domains, more addresses and more storage. The trade-offs are weaker search and fewer integrations than Gmail. Get it if privacy matters more than convenience.
- Zero-access encrypted storage
- End-to-end encryption between users
- Custom domains on paid plans
- Built-in encrypted calendar
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What we like
- Strong encryption with a privacy-first business model
- Free plan works well for a personal inbox
- Password-protected emails to non-Proton users
What could be better
- Search and filters are weaker than Gmail's
- Free plan has tight storage and feature limits
People who want private, encrypted email without giving up a modern inbox
you rely on Gmail-level search, add-ons and third-party integrations
Questions about Proton Mail
Is Proton Mail free?
Yes, the free plan gives you one address, a limited amount of storage and core encrypted email features. Paid plans add more storage and addresses, custom domains and tools like Proton Mail Bridge.
Can I send encrypted email to Gmail users with Proton Mail?
Yes, you can send a password-protected message that the recipient opens in their browser. Regular emails to Gmail are protected in transit but are not end-to-end encrypted.
What are the best alternatives to Proton Mail?
The closest alternatives are Proton VPN, Bitwarden and 1Password. See all of them ranked on our Proton Mail alternatives page.
Where does Proton Mail rank?
Proton Mail ranks #6 of 8 in our Privacy & Security ranking, with an overall score of 8.7 out of 10.