Proton Mail vs Mailfence
On privacy it's Proton Mail. On price it's a tie. On features it's a tie. Here's everything side by side, last checked 23 October 2026.
Proton Mail or Mailfence: which should you choose?
- Proton Mail suits you best if you want encryption that means even the provider can't read your mail; more space for your mail: 15 GB; and apps whose code is public.
- Mailfence is the better pick if you want to pay less: €3.50 a month; freedom to use the mail app you already like; and more built in, including POP3 as well as CalDAV and CardDAV sync.
| Feature | Proton Mail | Mailfence |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Privacy | 5.0 | 3.5 |
| Price | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Mail Plus $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly) | Entry €3.50 a month |
| Free plan | Yes, 1 GB, no own domain | Yes, 500 MB–1 GB, no own domain |
| Storage | 15 GB | 10 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ 1 | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | ✓ Built in | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) |
| Company based in | Switzerland | Belgium |
| Your data is kept in | Switzerland | Belgium |
| Founded | 2014 | 2013 |
| Free trial | Free plan; 30-day refund on paid plans | Free plan |
| Funded by advertising | No | No |
| 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 | None |
| Last checked | 23 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
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The key differences
- Cheapest plans: Proton Mail Mail Plus, $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly). Mailfence Entry, €3.50 a month.
- For free, Proton Mail gives you a free plan (1 GB, no own domain), and Mailfence a free plan (500 MB–1 GB, no own domain).
- Proton Mail comes with 15 GB of storage and Mailfence with 10 GB of storage.
- Proton Mail keeps your mail in Switzerland, while Mailfence keeps it in Belgium.
- Proton Mail is based in Switzerland and Mailfence in Belgium, so different privacy laws apply.
- Proton Mail encrypts mail end to end; Mailfence offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage).
- Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans, and Mailfence works in any mail app over IMAP.
- For extra addresses, Proton Mail has 10 addresses and Mailfence has yes.
Proton Mail and Mailfence: your questions
Which is more private, Proton Mail or Mailfence?
Proton Mail scores 5 out of 5 for privacy and Mailfence 3.5. Proton Mail gives you encryption that means even the provider can't read your mail, apps whose code is public and to sign up without proving who you are.
Which is cheaper, Proton Mail or Mailfence?
Mailfence is cheaper. Its Entry plan is €3.50 a month, against $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly) for Proton Mail's Mail Plus. Mailfence and Proton Mail also have a free plan. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Do Proton Mail and Mailfence work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. Proton Mail: 1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one. Mailfence: Yes.
Where do Proton Mail and Mailfence keep my email?
Proton Mail keeps it in Switzerland. Mailfence keeps it in Belgium.
Do Proton Mail and Mailfence work in other mail apps?
Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans. Mailfence 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 · Mailfence news.
Alternatives to Proton Mail and Mailfence
Proton Mail vs mailbox.org · Mailfence vs mailbox.org · Proton Mail vs Posteo · Mailfence vs Posteo · Proton Mail vs Tuta · Mailfence vs Tuta
Moving your email
Switching takes an evening to set up. Follow the steps for your direction: Proton Mail to Mailfence · Mailfence to Proton Mail.