Proton Mail vs CounterMail
On privacy it's Proton Mail. On price it's a tie. On features it's Proton Mail. Here's everything side by side, last checked 25 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Choose Proton Mail if you want a cheaper plan, at $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly); a free plan to start on; and 15 GB of storage.
- CounterMail is the better pick if you want freedom to use the mail app you already like.
| Feature | Proton Mail | CounterMail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Privacy | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Price | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Mail Plus $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly) | Premium, 12 months $4 a month, paid yearly ($49) |
| Free plan | Yes, 1 GB, no own domain | No |
| Storage | 15 GB | 4 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ 1 | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | ✓ Built in | ✓ Built in |
| Company based in | Switzerland | Sweden |
| Your data is kept in | Switzerland | Sweden |
| Founded | 2014 | Unknown |
| Free trial | Free plan; 30-day refund on paid plans | Unknown |
| Funded by advertising | No | No |
| 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 | Unknown |
| Reader offer | Offer Proton's current deals | None |
| Last checked | 23 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
The key differences
- On price: Proton Mail Mail Plus at $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly), against CounterMail Premium, 12 months at $4 a month, paid yearly ($49).
- Proton Mail has a free plan (1 GB, no own domain); CounterMail has no free plan.
- Space: Proton Mail gives 15 GB of storage, CounterMail 4 GB of storage.
- Your mail is stored in Switzerland with Proton Mail, and in Sweden with CounterMail.
- The companies sit under different laws: Proton Mail in Switzerland, CounterMail in Sweden.
- Mail apps: Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans; CounterMail works in any mail app over IMAP.
- Aliases: Proton Mail offers 10 addresses, CounterMail yes.
Proton Mail and CounterMail: your questions
Is Proton Mail more private than CounterMail?
Proton Mail scores 5 out of 5 for privacy and CounterMail 4. Proton Mail gives you open-source apps anyone can check and sign-up without ID.
Is Proton Mail cheaper than CounterMail?
Proton Mail is cheaper. Its Mail Plus plan is $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly), against $4 a month, paid yearly ($49) for CounterMail's Premium, 12 months. Proton Mail also has a free plan. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Can I use my own domain with Proton Mail or CounterMail?
Yes, both do. Proton Mail: 1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one. CounterMail: Yes.
Where is my email stored with Proton Mail and CounterMail?
Proton Mail keeps it in Switzerland. CounterMail keeps it in Sweden.
Can I use Proton Mail and CounterMail in Apple Mail or Outlook?
Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans. CounterMail works in any mail app over IMAP.
Recent price changes
Neither price has changed since my first check on 23 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Proton Mail news · CounterMail news.
Also worth a look
Proton Mail vs mailbox.org · CounterMail vs mailbox.org · Proton Mail vs Posteo · CounterMail vs Posteo · Proton Mail vs Tuta · CounterMail vs Tuta
How to switch
Moving to Proton Mail · Moving from Proton Mail. Or see all my switching guides.