Proton Mail vs Mailu
On privacy it's Proton Mail. On price it's Proton Mail. On features it's Proton Mail. Here's everything side by side, last checked 25 October 2026.
Should you pick Proton Mail or Mailu?
- Proton Mail is the better pick if you want encryption that means even the provider can't read your mail; your mail kept in Switzerland; and your diary and address book in one place with your email.
- Mailu is the better pick if you want to read your mail in any app, such as Apple Mail, Outlook or Thunderbird.
| Feature | Proton Mail | Mailu |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.5 | Not rated |
| Privacy | 5.0 | Not rated |
| Price | 4.0 | Not rated |
| Features | 4.5 | Not rated |
| Cheapest plan | Mail Plus $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly) | Open source Free |
| Free plan | Yes, 1 GB, no own domain | Yes, open source |
| Storage | 15 GB | Not confirmed |
| Your own domain | ✓ 1 | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | ✓ Built in | No |
| Company based in | Switzerland | Not confirmed |
| Your data is kept in | Switzerland | Your own server |
| Founded | 2014 | Unknown |
| Free trial | Free plan; 30-day refund on paid plans | Free to download |
| 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 | ✓ Yes |
| 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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The key differences
- Proton Mail's cheapest plan is Mail Plus ($3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly)); Mailu's is Open source (Free).
- For free, Proton Mail gives you a free plan (1 GB, no own domain), and Mailu a free plan (open source).
- Proton Mail comes with 15 GB of storage and Mailu with storage not confirmed.
- Proton Mail keeps your mail in Switzerland, while Mailu keeps it in Your own server.
- Proton Mail is based in Switzerland and Mailu in Not confirmed, so different privacy laws apply.
- Proton Mail encrypts mail end to end; Mailu doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans, and Mailu works in any mail app over IMAP.
- For extra addresses, Proton Mail has 10 addresses and Mailu has yes.
Common questions
Do Proton Mail and Mailu work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. Proton Mail: 1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one. Mailu: Yes.
Where do Proton Mail and Mailu keep my email?
Proton Mail keeps it in Switzerland. Mailu keeps it in Your own server.
Do Proton Mail and Mailu work in other mail apps?
Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans. Mailu works in any mail app over IMAP.
Price changes and news
Neither price has changed since my first check on 23 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Proton Mail news · Mailu news.
Alternatives to Proton Mail and Mailu
Proton Mail vs Tuta · Mailu vs Tuta · Proton Mail vs mailbox.org · Mailu vs mailbox.org · Proton Mail vs Posteo · Mailu vs Posteo
Moving your email
Moving to Proton Mail · Moving from Proton Mail. Or see all my switching guides.