Proton Mail vs DuckDuckGo Email Protection
On privacy it's Proton Mail. On price it's DuckDuckGo Email Protection. On features it's Proton Mail. Here's everything side by side, last checked 25 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Proton Mail is the better pick if you want end-to-end encryption built in; your mail kept in Switzerland; and a company that isn't funded by advertising.
- DuckDuckGo Email Protection suits you best if you want a mailbox that costs nothing.
| Feature | Proton Mail | DuckDuckGo Email Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.5 | 2.0 |
| Privacy | 5.0 | 0.0 |
| Price | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | Not rated |
| Cheapest plan | Mail Plus $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly) | Free Free |
| Free plan | Yes, 1 GB, no own domain | Yes, unlimited @duck.com aliases |
| Storage | 15 GB | Forwards only |
| 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 | 2021 |
| 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 | No, its own apps only |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | No |
| Aliases | 10 addresses | Unlimited aliases |
| 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 | 25 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
Where they differ
- Proton Mail's cheapest plan is Mail Plus ($3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly)); DuckDuckGo Email Protection's is Free (Free).
- For free, Proton Mail gives you a free plan (1 GB, no own domain), and DuckDuckGo Email Protection a free plan (unlimited @duck.com aliases).
- Proton Mail comes with 15 GB of storage and DuckDuckGo Email Protection with no storage, as it forwards mail on.
- Proton Mail keeps your mail in Switzerland, while DuckDuckGo Email Protection keeps it in the United States.
- Proton Mail is based in Switzerland and DuckDuckGo Email Protection in the United States, so different privacy laws apply.
- Proton Mail encrypts mail end to end; DuckDuckGo Email Protection doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- Proton Mail lets you bring your own domain name; DuckDuckGo Email Protection doesn't.
- Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans, and DuckDuckGo Email Protection only works in its own apps.
- Only DuckDuckGo Email Protection is part of an advertising business.
- For extra addresses, Proton Mail has 10 addresses and DuckDuckGo Email Protection has unlimited aliases.
Proton Mail and DuckDuckGo Email Protection: your questions
Which is more private, Proton Mail or DuckDuckGo Email Protection?
Proton Mail scores 5 out of 5 for privacy and DuckDuckGo Email Protection 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 DuckDuckGo Email Protection?
DuckDuckGo Email Protection 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 DuckDuckGo Email Protection work with my own domain?
Only Proton Mail does (1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one). With DuckDuckGo Email Protection your address stays on its own domain.
Where do Proton Mail and DuckDuckGo Email Protection keep my email?
Proton Mail keeps it in Switzerland. DuckDuckGo Email Protection keeps it in the United States.
Do Proton Mail and DuckDuckGo Email Protection work in other mail apps?
Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans. DuckDuckGo Email Protection only works in its own apps.
Recent price changes
No price changes for either since 23 October 2026. I check regularly and add any change here with its date.
The latest headlines: Proton Mail news · DuckDuckGo Email Protection news.
Also worth a look
Proton Mail vs mailbox.org · DuckDuckGo Email Protection vs mailbox.org · Proton Mail vs Posteo · DuckDuckGo Email Protection vs Posteo · Proton Mail vs Tuta · DuckDuckGo Email Protection vs Tuta
How to switch
Moving to Proton Mail · Moving from Proton Mail. Or see all my switching guides.