Outlook.com vs Proton Mail for Business
In short: Proton Mail for Business wins on privacy, Outlook.com wins on price, and Proton Mail for Business wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 22 October 2026.
Should you pick Outlook.com or Proton Mail for Business?
- Choose Outlook.com if you want a mailbox that costs nothing; a free plan to start on; and to read your mail in any app, such as Apple Mail, Outlook or Thunderbird.
- Go for Proton Mail for Business if you'd like encryption that means even the provider can't read your mail; your mailbox stored in Switzerland; and a provider with no advertising business behind it.
| Feature | Outlook.com | 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 (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space) Free | Mail Essentials $6.99 per user a month |
| Free plan | Yes, 15 GB | 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 | 1996 | 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 | Yes | 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
- Outlook.com's cheapest plan is Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space) (Free); Proton Mail for Business's is Mail Essentials ($6.99 per user a month).
- For free, Outlook.com gives you a free plan (15 GB), and Proton Mail for Business no free plan.
- Data location: United States and worldwide for Outlook.com, Switzerland for Proton Mail for Business.
- Outlook.com is based in the United States and Proton Mail for Business in Switzerland, so different privacy laws apply.
- Outlook.com doesn't encrypt mail end to end; Proton Mail for Business encrypts mail end to end.
- Proton Mail for Business lets you bring your own domain name; Outlook.com doesn't.
- Outlook.com works in any mail app over IMAP, and Proton Mail for Business works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans.
- Only Outlook.com is part of an advertising business.
Questions people ask
Which is more private, Outlook.com or Proton Mail for Business?
Proton Mail for Business scores 4.5 out of 5 for privacy and Outlook.com 0. Proton Mail for Business gives you encryption that means even the provider can't read your mail, your mailbox stored in Switzerland and a provider with no advertising business behind it.
Which is cheaper, Outlook.com or Proton Mail for Business?
Outlook.com costs nothing to start (Free). Proton Mail for Business's cheapest plan, Mail Essentials, is $6.99 per user a month.
Do Outlook.com and Proton Mail for Business work with my own domain?
Only Proton Mail for Business does (3 domains on its cheapest plan that allows one). With Outlook.com your address stays on its own domain.
Where do Outlook.com and Proton Mail for Business keep my email?
Outlook.com keeps it in the United States and worldwide. Proton Mail for Business keeps it in Switzerland.
Do Outlook.com and Proton Mail for Business work in other mail apps?
Outlook.com works in any mail app over IMAP. Proton Mail for Business works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans.
Price changes and news
No price changes for either since 22 October 2026. I check regularly and add any change here with its date.
The latest headlines: Outlook.com news · Proton Mail for Business news.
Alternatives to Outlook.com and Proton Mail for Business
Outlook.com vs mailbox.org · Proton Mail for Business vs mailbox.org · Outlook.com vs Posteo · Proton Mail for Business vs Posteo · Outlook.com vs Proton Mail · Proton Mail for Business vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
Moving to Outlook.com · Moving from Outlook.com. Or see all my switching guides.