Proton Mail vs Gmail
On privacy it's Proton Mail. On price it's Gmail. On features it's Proton Mail. Here's everything side by side, last checked 23 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Proton Mail is the better pick if you want encryption that means even the provider can't read your mail; your email to stay in Switzerland; and email from a company that doesn't make money from adverts.
- Gmail is the better pick if you want a mailbox that costs nothing; to read your mail in any app, such as Apple Mail, Outlook or Thunderbird; and features the other lacks, like POP3 as well as CalDAV and CardDAV sync.
| Feature | Proton Mail | Gmail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.5 | 2.5 |
| Privacy | 5.0 | 0.0 |
| Price | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Mail Plus $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly) | Free (Google One 100 GB for more space) Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month |
| Free plan | Yes, 1 GB, no own domain | Yes, 15 GB shared with Drive |
| Storage | 15 GB | 15 GB |
| 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 and worldwide |
| Founded | 2014 | 2004 |
| 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 | Plus addressing only |
| 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 |
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The key differences
- On price: Proton Mail Mail Plus at $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly), against Gmail Free (Google One 100 GB for more space) at Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month.
- For free, Proton Mail gives you a free plan (1 GB, no own domain), and Gmail a free plan (15 GB shared with Drive).
- Data location: Switzerland for Proton Mail, United States and worldwide for Gmail.
- Proton Mail is based in Switzerland and Gmail in the United States, so different privacy laws apply.
- Proton Mail encrypts mail end to end; Gmail doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- Proton Mail lets you bring your own domain name; Gmail doesn't.
- Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans, and Gmail works in any mail app over IMAP.
- Only Gmail is part of an advertising business.
- For extra addresses, Proton Mail has 10 addresses and Gmail has plus addressing only.
Common questions
Which is more private, Proton Mail or Gmail?
Proton Mail scores 5 out of 5 for privacy and Gmail 0. Proton Mail gives you encryption that means even the provider can't read your mail, your email to stay in Switzerland and email from a company that doesn't make money from adverts.
Which is cheaper, Proton Mail or Gmail?
Gmail costs nothing to start (Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month). 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 Gmail work with my own domain?
Only Proton Mail does (1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one). With Gmail your address stays on its own domain.
Where do Proton Mail and Gmail keep my email?
Proton Mail keeps it in Switzerland. Gmail keeps it in the United States and worldwide.
Do Proton Mail and Gmail work in other mail apps?
Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans. Gmail works in any mail app over IMAP.
Recent price changes
Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Proton Mail news · Gmail news.
Alternatives to Proton Mail and Gmail
Proton Mail vs mailbox.org · Gmail vs mailbox.org · Proton Mail vs Posteo · Gmail vs Posteo · Proton Mail vs Tuta · Gmail vs Tuta
Switching between them
Switching takes an evening to set up. Follow the steps for your direction: Proton Mail to Gmail · Gmail to Proton Mail.