Proton Mail vs AOL Mail
Proton Mail wins on privacy, AOL Mail wins on price and Proton Mail wins on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 23 October 2026.
Proton Mail or AOL Mail: which should you choose?
- Proton Mail suits you best if you want end-to-end encryption built in; your mail kept in Switzerland; and a company that isn't funded by advertising.
- AOL Mail is the better pick if you want a mailbox that costs nothing; freedom to use the mail app you already like; and a provider that's been going since 1993.
| Feature | Proton Mail | AOL Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.5 | 2.0 |
| Privacy | 5.0 | 0.0 |
| Price | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Mail Plus $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly) | Free Free |
| Free plan | Yes, 1 GB, no own domain | Yes |
| Storage | 15 GB | Not confirmed |
| Your own domain | ✓ 1 | No |
| End-to-end encryption | ✓ Built in | No |
| Company based in | Switzerland | United States |
| Your data is kept in | Switzerland | United States |
| Founded | 2014 | 1993 |
| Free trial | Free plan; 30-day refund on paid plans | Free |
| Funded by advertising | No | Yes, or its parent company is |
| Works in any mail app | With Proton Bridge on paid plans | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Aliases | 10 addresses | Yes |
| Open-source apps | ✓ Yes | No |
| Sign up without ID | ✓ Yes | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | Offer Proton's current deals | None |
| Last checked | 23 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
Where they differ
- On price: Proton Mail Mail Plus at $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly), against AOL Mail Free at Free.
- For free, Proton Mail gives you a free plan (1 GB, no own domain), and AOL Mail a free plan ().
- Proton Mail comes with 15 GB of storage and AOL Mail with storage not confirmed.
- Proton Mail keeps your mail in Switzerland, while AOL Mail keeps it in the United States.
- Proton Mail is based in Switzerland and AOL Mail in the United States, so different privacy laws apply.
- Proton Mail encrypts mail end to end; AOL Mail doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- Proton Mail lets you bring your own domain name; AOL Mail doesn't.
- Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans, and AOL Mail works in any mail app over IMAP.
- Only AOL Mail is part of an advertising business.
- For extra addresses, Proton Mail has 10 addresses and AOL Mail has yes.
Proton Mail and AOL Mail: your questions
Which is more private, Proton Mail or AOL Mail?
Proton Mail scores 5 out of 5 for privacy and AOL Mail 0. Proton Mail gives you end-to-end encryption built in, your mail kept in Switzerland and a company that isn't funded by advertising.
Which is cheaper, Proton Mail or AOL Mail?
AOL Mail costs nothing to start (Free). Proton Mail's cheapest plan, Mail Plus, is $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly). Proton Mail has a free plan too: 1 GB, no own domain.
Do Proton Mail and AOL Mail work with my own domain?
Only Proton Mail does (1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one). With AOL Mail your address stays on its own domain.
Where do Proton Mail and AOL Mail keep my email?
Proton Mail keeps it in Switzerland. AOL Mail keeps it in the United States.
Do Proton Mail and AOL Mail work in other mail apps?
Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans. AOL Mail works in any mail app over IMAP.
Price changes and news
Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Proton Mail news · AOL Mail news.
Alternatives to Proton Mail and AOL Mail
Proton Mail vs mailbox.org · AOL Mail vs mailbox.org · Proton Mail vs Posteo · AOL Mail vs Posteo · Proton Mail vs Tuta · AOL Mail vs Tuta
How to switch
Moving to Proton Mail · Moving from Proton Mail. Or see all my switching guides.