Proton Mail vs GMX
On privacy it's Proton Mail. On price it's GMX. On features it's Proton Mail. Here's everything side by side, last checked 25 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Proton Mail suits you best if you want end-to-end encryption built in; a company that isn't funded by advertising; and to use your own domain, like you@yourname.co.uk.
- GMX is the better pick if you want a mailbox that costs nothing; more space for your mail: 65 GB; and to read your mail in any app, such as Apple Mail, Outlook or Thunderbird.
| Feature | Proton Mail | GMX |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Privacy | 5.0 | 2.0 |
| Price | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Mail Plus $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly) | Free Free (paid plans only for German and Austrian residents) |
| Free plan | Yes, 1 GB, no own domain | Yes, with adverts |
| Storage | 15 GB | 65 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ 1 | No |
| End-to-end encryption | ✓ Built in | No |
| Company based in | Switzerland | Germany |
| Your data is kept in | Switzerland | Germany (European data centres) |
| Founded | 2014 | 1997 |
| 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 | Up to 10 addresses |
| 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 |
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How Proton Mail and GMX differ
- Proton Mail's cheapest plan is Mail Plus ($3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly)); GMX's is Free (Free (paid plans only for German and Austrian residents)).
- For free, Proton Mail gives you a free plan (1 GB, no own domain), and GMX a free plan (with adverts).
- Proton Mail comes with 15 GB of storage and GMX with 65 GB of storage.
- Data location: Switzerland for Proton Mail, Germany (European data centres) for GMX.
- Proton Mail is based in Switzerland and GMX in Germany, so different privacy laws apply.
- Proton Mail encrypts mail end to end; GMX doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- Proton Mail lets you bring your own domain name; GMX doesn't.
- Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans, and GMX works in any mail app over IMAP.
- Only GMX is part of an advertising business.
- For extra addresses, Proton Mail has 10 addresses and GMX has up to 10 addresses.
Proton Mail and GMX: your questions
Which is more private, Proton Mail or GMX?
Proton Mail scores 5 out of 5 for privacy and GMX 2. Proton Mail gives you end-to-end encryption built in, a company that isn't funded by advertising and open-source apps anyone can check.
Which is cheaper, Proton Mail or GMX?
GMX costs nothing to start (Free (paid plans only for German and Austrian residents)). 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 GMX work with my own domain?
Only Proton Mail does (1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one). With GMX your address stays on its own domain.
Where do Proton Mail and GMX keep my email?
Proton Mail keeps it in Switzerland. GMX keeps it in Germany (European data centres).
Do Proton Mail and GMX work in other mail apps?
Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans. GMX works in any mail app over IMAP.
Prices and the latest news
I haven't seen either change its price since I started checking on 23 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Proton Mail news · GMX news.
Not sold on either? Try these
Proton Mail vs mailbox.org · GMX vs mailbox.org · Proton Mail vs Posteo · GMX vs Posteo · Proton Mail vs Tuta · GMX vs Tuta
Switching between them
Moving to Proton Mail · Moving from Proton Mail. Or see all my switching guides.