Proton Mail vs Hostinger Email
Proton Mail wins on privacy, Hostinger Email wins on price and Proton Mail wins on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 25 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Go for Proton Mail if you'd like end-to-end encryption built in; your email to stay in Switzerland; and to try it free first.
- Hostinger Email is the better pick if you want to pay less: $0.39 a month on a 48-month term, renews at $1.59; the choice of any mail app over IMAP; and a provider that's been going since 2004.
| Feature | Proton Mail | Hostinger Email |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.5 | 3.0 |
| Privacy | 5.0 | 1.5 |
| Price | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Features | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Mail Plus $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly) | Starter $0.39 a month on a 48-month term, renews at $1.59 |
| Free plan | Yes, 1 GB, no own domain | No |
| Storage | 15 GB | 5 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ 1 | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | ✓ Built in | No |
| Company based in | Switzerland | Lithuania |
| Your data is kept in | Switzerland | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2014 | 2004 |
| Free trial | Free plan; 30-day refund on paid plans | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Funded by advertising | No | No |
| Works in any mail app | With Proton Bridge on paid plans | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | No |
| 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 |
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How Proton Mail and Hostinger Email differ
- Cheapest plans: Proton Mail Mail Plus, $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly). Hostinger Email Starter, $0.39 a month on a 48-month term, renews at $1.59.
- Proton Mail has a free plan (1 GB, no own domain); Hostinger Email has no free plan.
- Space: Proton Mail gives 15 GB of storage, Hostinger Email 5 GB of storage.
- Data location: Switzerland for Proton Mail, Not confirmed for Hostinger Email.
- The companies sit under different laws: Proton Mail in Switzerland, Hostinger Email in Lithuania.
- On encryption, Proton Mail encrypts mail end to end, whereas Hostinger Email doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- Mail apps: Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans; Hostinger Email works in any mail app over IMAP.
- Aliases: Proton Mail offers 10 addresses, Hostinger Email yes.
Questions people ask
Is Proton Mail more private than Hostinger Email?
Proton Mail scores 5 out of 5 for privacy and Hostinger Email 1.5. Proton Mail gives you end-to-end encryption built in, your email to stay in Switzerland and open-source apps anyone can check.
Is Proton Mail cheaper than Hostinger Email?
Hostinger Email is cheaper. Its Starter plan is $0.39 a month on a 48-month term, renews at $1.59, against $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly) for Proton Mail's Mail Plus. 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 Hostinger Email?
Yes, both do. Proton Mail: 1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one. Hostinger Email: Yes.
Where is my email stored with Proton Mail and Hostinger Email?
Proton Mail keeps it in Switzerland. Hostinger Email keeps it in Not confirmed.
Can I use Proton Mail and Hostinger Email in Apple Mail or Outlook?
Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans. Hostinger Email works in any mail app over IMAP.
Price changes and news
I haven't seen either change its price since I started checking on 23 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Proton Mail news · Hostinger Email news.
Alternatives to Proton Mail and Hostinger Email
Proton Mail vs mailbox.org · Hostinger Email vs mailbox.org · Proton Mail vs Posteo · Hostinger Email vs Posteo · Proton Mail vs Tuta · Hostinger Email vs Tuta
Switching between them
Moving to Proton Mail · Moving from Proton Mail. Or see all my switching guides.