Gmail vs Proton Mail for Business
In short: Proton Mail for Business wins on privacy, Gmail wins on price, and Proton Mail for Business wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 22 October 2026.
Gmail or Proton Mail for Business: which should you choose?
- Choose Gmail if you want email without paying for it; a free plan to start on; and freedom to use the mail app you already like.
- Proton Mail for Business is the better pick if you want mail that's encrypted end to end without any setup; your mail kept in Switzerland; and email from a company that doesn't make money from adverts.
| Feature | Gmail | Proton Mail for Business |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 4.0 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 4.5 |
| Price | 5.0 | 2.5 |
| Features | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Free (Google One 100 GB for more space) Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month | Mail Essentials $6.99 per user a month |
| Free plan | Yes, 15 GB shared with Drive | No |
| Storage | 15 GB | 15 GB |
| Your own domain | No | ✓ 3 |
| End-to-end encryption | No | ✓ Built in |
| Company based in | United States | Switzerland |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | Switzerland |
| Founded | 2004 | 2014 |
| Free trial | Free | 30-day refund |
| Funded by advertising | Yes, or its parent company is | No |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | With Proton Bridge on paid plans |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Aliases | Plus addressing only | Yes |
| Open-source apps | No | ✓ Yes |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
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Where they differ
- Cheapest plans: Gmail Free (Google One 100 GB for more space), Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month. Proton Mail for Business Mail Essentials, $6.99 per user a month.
- Gmail has a free plan (15 GB shared with Drive); Proton Mail for Business has no free plan.
- Gmail keeps your mail in the United States and worldwide, while Proton Mail for Business keeps it in Switzerland.
- The companies sit under different laws: Gmail in United States, Proton Mail for Business in Switzerland.
- On encryption, Gmail doesn't encrypt mail end to end, whereas Proton Mail for Business encrypts mail end to end.
- You can use your own domain with Proton Mail for Business, but not with Gmail.
- Mail apps: Gmail works in any mail app over IMAP; Proton Mail for Business works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans.
- Gmail (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; Proton Mail for Business doesn't.
- Aliases: Gmail offers plus addressing only, Proton Mail for Business yes.
Gmail and Proton Mail for Business: your questions
Is Gmail more private than Proton Mail for Business?
Proton Mail for Business scores 4.5 out of 5 for privacy and Gmail 0. Proton Mail for Business gives you mail that's encrypted end to end without any setup, your mail kept in Switzerland and email from a company that doesn't make money from adverts.
Is Gmail cheaper than Proton Mail for Business?
Gmail costs nothing to start (Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month). Proton Mail for Business's cheapest plan, Mail Essentials, is $6.99 per user a month.
Can I use my own domain with Gmail or Proton Mail for Business?
Only Proton Mail for Business does (3 domains on its cheapest plan that allows one). With Gmail your address stays on its own domain.
Where is my email stored with Gmail and Proton Mail for Business?
Gmail keeps it in the United States and worldwide. Proton Mail for Business keeps it in Switzerland.
Can I use Gmail and Proton Mail for Business in Apple Mail or Outlook?
Gmail works in any mail app over IMAP. Proton Mail for Business works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans.
Prices and the latest news
Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Gmail news · Proton Mail for Business news.
Alternatives to Gmail and Proton Mail for Business
Gmail vs mailbox.org · Proton Mail for Business vs mailbox.org · Gmail vs Posteo · Proton Mail for Business vs Posteo · Gmail vs Proton Mail · Proton Mail for Business vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
Moving to Gmail · Moving from Gmail. Or see all my switching guides.