Proton Mail vs Google Workspace
In short: Proton Mail wins on privacy, Proton Mail wins on price, and Google Workspace wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 23 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Choose Proton Mail if you want mail that's encrypted end to end without any setup; your mail kept in Switzerland; and email from a company that doesn't make money from adverts.
- Google Workspace is the better pick if you want 30 GB of storage; to read your mail in any app, such as Apple Mail, Outlook or Thunderbird; and more built in, including POP3 as well as CalDAV and CardDAV sync.
| Feature | Proton Mail | Google Workspace |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.5 | 2.0 |
| Privacy | 5.0 | 0.0 |
| Price | 4.0 | 2.5 |
| Features | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Mail Plus $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly) | Business Starter £5.90 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT |
| Free plan | Yes, 1 GB, no own domain | No |
| Storage | 15 GB | 30 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ 1 | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | ✓ Built in | No |
| Company based in | Switzerland | United States |
| Your data is kept in | Switzerland | Choice of region only on Business Plus and above |
| Founded | 2014 | 2006 |
| Free trial | Free plan; 30-day refund on paid plans | 14 days 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 | Offer 10% off your first year |
| 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 Google Workspace Business Starter at £5.90 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT.
- Proton Mail has a free plan (1 GB, no own domain); Google Workspace has no free plan.
- Space: Proton Mail gives 15 GB of storage, Google Workspace 30 GB of storage.
- Proton Mail keeps your mail in Switzerland, while Google Workspace keeps it in Choice of region only on Business Plus and above.
- The companies sit under different laws: Proton Mail in Switzerland, Google Workspace in United States.
- On encryption, Proton Mail encrypts mail end to end, whereas Google Workspace doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- Mail apps: Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans; Google Workspace works in any mail app over IMAP.
- Google Workspace (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; Proton Mail doesn't.
- Aliases: Proton Mail offers 10 addresses, Google Workspace yes.
Common questions
Is Proton Mail more private than Google Workspace?
Proton Mail scores 5 out of 5 for privacy and Google Workspace 0. Proton Mail gives you mail that's encrypted end to end without any setup, your mail kept in Switzerland and email from a company that doesn't make money from adverts.
Is Proton Mail cheaper than Google Workspace?
Proton Mail is cheaper. Its Mail Plus plan is $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly), against £5.90 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT for Google Workspace's Business Starter. 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 Google Workspace?
Yes, both do. Proton Mail: 1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one. Google Workspace: Yes.
Where is my email stored with Proton Mail and Google Workspace?
Proton Mail keeps it in Switzerland. Google Workspace keeps it in Choice of region only on Business Plus and above.
Can I use Proton Mail and Google Workspace in Apple Mail or Outlook?
Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans. Google Workspace works in any mail app over IMAP.
Price changes and news
No price changes for either since 22 October 2026. I check regularly and add any change here with its date.
The latest headlines: Proton Mail news · Google Workspace news.
Also worth a look
Proton Mail vs mailbox.org · Google Workspace vs mailbox.org · Proton Mail vs Posteo · Google Workspace vs Posteo · Proton Mail vs Tuta · Google Workspace vs Tuta
Switching between them
Ready to move? My step-by-step guides cover your mail, contacts, forwarding and your own domain: Proton Mail to Google Workspace · Google Workspace to Proton Mail.