Proton Mail vs IONOS Mail
Proton Mail wins on privacy, IONOS Mail wins on price and Proton Mail wins on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 23 October 2026.
Proton Mail or IONOS Mail: which should you choose?
- Proton Mail suits you best if you want encryption that means even the provider can't read your mail; to try it free first; and 15 GB of storage.
- IONOS Mail is the better pick if you want the lower price (About £1–£2 a month (not confirmed)); to read your mail in any app, such as Apple Mail, Outlook or Thunderbird; and more years of history: it started in 1988.
| Feature | Proton Mail | IONOS Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.5 | 3.0 |
| Privacy | 5.0 | 2.5 |
| Price | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Features | 4.5 | 3.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Mail Plus $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly) | Mail Basic About £1–£2 a month (not confirmed) |
| Free plan | Yes, 1 GB, no own domain | No |
| Storage | 15 GB | 2 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ 1 | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | ✓ Built in | No |
| Company based in | Switzerland | Germany |
| Your data is kept in | Switzerland | UK data centre in Worcester; where email sits not confirmed |
| Founded | 2014 | 1988 |
| Free trial | Free plan; 30-day refund on paid plans | Unknown |
| 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 | 22 October 2026 |
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How Proton Mail and IONOS Mail differ
- On price: Proton Mail Mail Plus at $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly), against IONOS Mail Mail Basic at About £1–£2 a month (not confirmed).
- For free, Proton Mail gives you a free plan (1 GB, no own domain), and IONOS Mail no free plan.
- Proton Mail comes with 15 GB of storage and IONOS Mail with 2 GB of storage.
- Proton Mail keeps your mail in Switzerland, while IONOS Mail keeps it in the UK data centre in Worcester; where email sits not confirmed.
- Proton Mail is based in Switzerland and IONOS Mail in Germany, so different privacy laws apply.
- Proton Mail encrypts mail end to end; IONOS Mail doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans, and IONOS Mail works in any mail app over IMAP.
- For extra addresses, Proton Mail has 10 addresses and IONOS Mail has yes.
Common questions
Which is more private, Proton Mail or IONOS Mail?
Proton Mail scores 5 out of 5 for privacy and IONOS Mail 2.5. Proton Mail gives you encryption that means even the provider can't read your mail, apps whose code is public and an account that doesn't need your phone number or ID.
Which is cheaper, Proton Mail or IONOS Mail?
IONOS Mail is cheaper. Its Mail Basic plan is About £1–£2 a month (not confirmed), 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.
Do Proton Mail and IONOS Mail work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. Proton Mail: 1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one. IONOS Mail: Yes.
Where do Proton Mail and IONOS Mail keep my email?
Proton Mail keeps it in Switzerland. IONOS Mail keeps it in the UK data centre in Worcester; where email sits not confirmed.
Do Proton Mail and IONOS Mail work in other mail apps?
Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans. IONOS Mail works in any mail app over IMAP.
Recent price changes
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 · IONOS Mail news.
Alternatives to Proton Mail and IONOS Mail
Proton Mail vs mailbox.org · IONOS Mail vs mailbox.org · Proton Mail vs Posteo · IONOS Mail vs Posteo · Proton Mail vs Tuta · IONOS Mail vs Tuta
How to switch
Moving to Proton Mail · Moving from Proton Mail. Or see all my switching guides.