Google Workspace vs Proton Mail for Business
On privacy it's Proton Mail for Business. On price it's a tie. On features it's Google Workspace. Here's everything side by side, last checked 22 October 2026.
Google Workspace or Proton Mail for Business: which should you choose?
- Choose Google Workspace if you want more room (30 GB, against 15 GB); to read your mail in any app, such as Apple Mail, Outlook or Thunderbird; and more built in, including POP3 as well as CalDAV and CardDAV sync.
- Choose Proton Mail for Business if you want mail that's encrypted end to end without any setup; your mail kept in Switzerland; and a company that isn't funded by advertising.
| Feature | Google Workspace | Proton Mail for Business |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.0 | 4.0 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 4.5 |
| Price | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Features | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Business Starter £5.90 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT | Mail Essentials $6.99 per user a month |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Storage | 30 GB | 15 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Yes | ✓ 3 |
| End-to-end encryption | No | ✓ Built in |
| Company based in | United States | Switzerland |
| Your data is kept in | Choice of region only on Business Plus and above | Switzerland |
| Founded | 2006 | 2014 |
| Free trial | 14 days 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Open-source apps | No | ✓ Yes |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | Offer 10% off your first year | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
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The key differences
- Cheapest plans: Google Workspace Business Starter, £5.90 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT. Proton Mail for Business Mail Essentials, $6.99 per user a month.
- Google Workspace comes with 30 GB of storage and Proton Mail for Business with 15 GB of storage.
- Data location: Choice of region only on Business Plus and above for Google Workspace, Switzerland for Proton Mail for Business.
- Google Workspace is based in the United States and Proton Mail for Business in Switzerland, so different privacy laws apply.
- Google Workspace doesn't encrypt mail end to end; Proton Mail for Business encrypts mail end to end.
- Google Workspace works in any mail app over IMAP, and Proton Mail for Business works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans.
- Only Google Workspace is part of an advertising business.
Google Workspace and Proton Mail for Business: your questions
Which is more private, Google Workspace or Proton Mail for Business?
Proton Mail for Business scores 4.5 out of 5 for privacy and Google Workspace 0. Proton Mail for Business gives you mail that's encrypted end to end without any setup, your mail kept in Switzerland and a company that isn't funded by advertising.
Which is cheaper, Google Workspace or Proton Mail for Business?
Proton Mail for Business is cheaper. Its Mail Essentials plan is $6.99 per user a month, against £5.90 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT for Google Workspace's Business Starter. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Do Google Workspace and Proton Mail for Business work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. Google Workspace: Yes. Proton Mail for Business: 3 domains on its cheapest plan that allows one.
Where do Google Workspace and Proton Mail for Business keep my email?
Google Workspace keeps it in Choice of region only on Business Plus and above. Proton Mail for Business keeps it in Switzerland.
Do Google Workspace and Proton Mail for Business work in other mail apps?
Google Workspace works in any mail app over IMAP. Proton Mail for Business works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans.
Recent price changes
I haven't seen either change its price since I started checking on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Google Workspace news · Proton Mail for Business news.
Also worth a look
Google Workspace vs mailbox.org · Proton Mail for Business vs mailbox.org · Google Workspace vs Posteo · Proton Mail for Business vs Posteo · Google Workspace vs Proton Mail · Proton Mail for Business vs Proton Mail
How to switch
Moving to Google Workspace · Moving from Google Workspace. Or see all my switching guides.