Free
$0
/month
- + Proton Mail (1 GB, 1 address)
- + Proton VPN (1 device, 5 countries)
- + Proton Drive (5 GB)
- + Proton Pass (unlimited passwords)
Proton
Privacy-focused suite offering encrypted email, VPN, cloud storage, calendar, and password manager.
security-privacy
Our Score
4.5
Starting at $4.99 /month
Free Plan Available
Start with Proton Free →
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4.5
Excellent ChoiceProton Score
Ease of Use
4.6
Features
4.4
Value
4.6
Support
4.2
Based on our editorial review across usability, features, value, support, and integrations.
Best For
Privacy-conscious individuals replacing Google or Microsoft servicesJournalists, activists, and professionals handling sensitive communicationsSmall businesses needing GDPR-compliant email with custom domainsUsers who want a single privacy-focused ecosystem rather than piecing together separate toolsTeams that need a reliable VPN alongside encrypted email and storage
Best For
Privacy-conscious individuals replacing Google or Microsoft services
Free Trial
Yes
Standout Feature
End-to-end encrypted email with custom domain support and up to 15 email addresses
Track Record
Since 2014
What Problem It Solves
Proton solves the fundamental privacy problem of modern cloud services: when you use Gmail, Google Drive, or other mainstream services, the provider can access and scan all your data for advertising, AI training, and government compliance. Proton replaces these services with end-to-end encrypted alternatives where even Proton itself cannot read your emails, files, or calendar entries. For businesses, this means GDPR compliance by default, since encrypted data that the provider cannot access is inherently more private. Proton VPN solves the internet surveillance problem by encrypting all web traffic and hiding your IP address, with a strict no-log policy verified by independent audits. Proton Pass solves the password reuse problem with a privacy-respecting password manager that does not monetize your data. Together, the suite provides a coherent privacy-first alternative to the Google ecosystem.
Key Features
- End-to-end encrypted email with custom domain support and up to 15 email addresses
- Proton VPN with no-log policy, kill switch, Secure Core servers, and free unlimited tier
- Proton Drive encrypted cloud storage with file sharing and photo backup
- Proton Calendar with zero-access encryption and event sharing
- Proton Pass password manager with secure sharing and built-in 2FA authenticator
- Proton Sentinel advanced account protection with AI-driven threat detection
- Open-source clients independently audited by security researchers
Pros
- + Swiss jurisdiction provides strong legal privacy protection against foreign data requests
- + End-to-end encryption is real and independently audited, not just marketing
- + Genuinely usable free tier across all products including unlimited VPN
- + Single account gives access to email, VPN, storage, calendar, and password manager
- + Open-source code allows independent verification of security claims
Cons
- - Email search is slower than Gmail due to encryption limitations on server-side indexing
- - Far fewer third-party integrations compared to Google Workspace or Microsoft 365
- - Proton Drive lacks collaborative editing features like Google Docs
- - Customer support is email-only on free plans with no live chat or phone option
Pricing
Mail Plus
$4.99
/month
- + 15 GB storage
- + 10 email addresses
- + 1 custom domain
- + Auto-reply & filters
Proton Unlimited
$12.99
/month
- + 500 GB storage
- + VPN (13,000+ servers, 90+ countries)
- + 15 email addresses, 3 custom domains
- + Proton Pass Plus & Sentinel security
Proton Business
$12.99
/month
- + Per user/month
- + Custom domain email
- + Multi-user admin console
- + Priority business support
Starting at $4.99 /month
Free Plan Available
Start with Proton Free →
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Our Verdict
Proton — Highly Recommended
Proton has evolved from a single encrypted email product into a comprehensive privacy suite that can realistically replace most Google services for privacy-conscious users. Proton Mail remains the flagship, offering end-to-end encrypted email with a clean, modern interface that has improved dramatically since the early days. Proton VPN is one of the few VPNs that offers a genuinely unlimited free tier with no data caps, no ads, and no logs. Proton Drive provides encrypted cloud storage, and Proton Calendar handles scheduling with zero-access encryption.
The Proton ecosystem's biggest strength is integration. With a single Proton account, you get email, VPN, cloud storage, calendar, and a password manager that all work together under one privacy umbrella. The encryption is real and independently audited, and Swiss jurisdiction provides meaningful legal protection against data requests from other countries. For businesses, Proton for Business offers custom domain email, multi-user management, and organizational controls.
The tradeoffs are real, however. Proton Mail cannot match Gmail's search speed because end-to-end encryption limits server-side search capabilities. The ecosystem is smaller, with fewer third-party integrations than Google Workspace or Microsoft 365. Proton Drive storage is more limited and lacks the collaborative editing features of Google Drive. Customer support on free plans is email-only with slower response times. Proton Calendar is functional but basic compared to Google Calendar's feature depth. For users who prioritize privacy and are willing to accept some feature limitations in exchange, Proton is the most complete privacy-focused alternative available.
Related Tools
How much does Proton cost and what is included in the free plan?
Proton offers a generous free plan that includes Proton Mail (1 GB storage, 1 email address), Proton VPN (unlimited data on 1 device, servers in 5 countries), Proton Calendar (3 calendars), Proton Drive (5 GB storage), and Proton Pass (unlimited passwords). The Mail Plus plan costs $3.99/month (billed annually) for 15 GB storage and 10 email addresses. Proton Unlimited costs $9.99/month (billed annually) and includes 500 GB storage, Proton VPN Plus with 4,000+ servers in 90+ countries, Proton Pass Plus, and Proton Sentinel security. The Proton Family plan costs $29.99/month for up to 6 users. Business plans start at $12.99/month per user with custom domain support and admin controls.
Is Proton Mail actually more secure than Gmail?
For privacy, unambiguously yes. Proton Mail uses end-to-end encryption, meaning your emails are encrypted on your device before reaching Proton's servers and can only be decrypted by the intended recipient. Google encrypts Gmail in transit and at rest, but Google itself can access and scan your email content for advertising and AI features. Proton operates under Swiss privacy law, which requires a Swiss court order for data disclosure and does not recognize foreign court orders. The tradeoff is functionality: Gmail offers superior search, more storage on free plans, better integration with the Google ecosystem, and more advanced organizational tools. Proton Mail is more secure and private, while Gmail is more feature-rich and convenient. Both are secure against external attackers.
Can Proton replace Google Workspace for a business?
Proton for Business can replace the core email, calendar, storage, and VPN components of Google Workspace, but with limitations. Proton Business offers custom domain email, multi-user management, shared calendars, and encrypted cloud storage. It works well for businesses that prioritize privacy and GDPR compliance, particularly in industries like healthcare, legal, journalism, and finance. However, Proton does not offer equivalents to Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides, meaning you would need a separate office suite. The admin console is functional but less feature-rich than Google Workspace admin. Third-party integrations are more limited. For businesses where privacy is the top requirement, Proton is a strong choice. For businesses that depend on collaborative document editing and deep ecosystem integrations, Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 remains more practical.
Starting at $4.99 /month
Free Plan Available
Start with Proton Free →
Affiliate link
Start with Proton Free →
Affiliate link