Proton Mail vs Outlook.com
In short: Proton Mail wins on privacy, Outlook.com wins on price, and Proton Mail wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 23 October 2026.
Should you pick Proton Mail or Outlook.com?
- Choose Proton Mail if you want end-to-end encryption built in; your mailbox stored in Switzerland; and a company that isn't funded by advertising.
- Outlook.com is the better pick if you want email without paying for it; freedom to use the mail app you already like; and more built in, including POP3 as well as API.
| Feature | Proton Mail | Outlook.com |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.5 | 2.5 |
| Privacy | 5.0 | 0.0 |
| Price | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Mail Plus $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly) | Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space) Free |
| Free plan | Yes, 1 GB, no own domain | Yes, 15 GB |
| Storage | 15 GB | 15 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ 1 | No |
| End-to-end encryption | ✓ Built in | No |
| Company based in | Switzerland | United States |
| Your data is kept in | Switzerland | United States and worldwide |
| Founded | 2014 | 1996 |
| Free trial | Free plan; 30-day refund on paid plans | 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 | None |
| Last checked | 23 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
Where they differ
- Cheapest plans: Proton Mail Mail Plus, $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly). Outlook.com Free (Microsoft 365 Basic for more space), Free.
- Proton Mail has a free plan (1 GB, no own domain); Outlook.com has a free plan (15 GB).
- Your mail is stored in Switzerland with Proton Mail, and in the United States and worldwide with Outlook.com.
- The companies sit under different laws: Proton Mail in Switzerland, Outlook.com in United States.
- On encryption, Proton Mail encrypts mail end to end, whereas Outlook.com doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- You can use your own domain with Proton Mail, but not with Outlook.com.
- Mail apps: Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans; Outlook.com works in any mail app over IMAP.
- Outlook.com (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; Proton Mail doesn't.
- Aliases: Proton Mail offers 10 addresses, Outlook.com yes.
Proton Mail and Outlook.com: your questions
Is Proton Mail more private than Outlook.com?
Proton Mail scores 5 out of 5 for privacy and Outlook.com 0. Proton Mail gives you end-to-end encryption built in, your mailbox stored in Switzerland and a company that isn't funded by advertising.
Is Proton Mail cheaper than Outlook.com?
Outlook.com costs nothing to start (Free). Proton Mail's cheapest plan, Mail Plus, is $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly). Proton Mail has a free plan too: 1 GB, no own domain.
Can I use my own domain with Proton Mail or Outlook.com?
Only Proton Mail does (1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one). With Outlook.com your address stays on its own domain.
Where is my email stored with Proton Mail and Outlook.com?
Proton Mail keeps it in Switzerland. Outlook.com keeps it in the United States and worldwide.
Can I use Proton Mail and Outlook.com in Apple Mail or Outlook?
Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans. Outlook.com works in any mail app over IMAP.
Price changes and news
I haven't seen either change its price since I started checking on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Proton Mail news · Outlook.com news.
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Moving your email
Switching takes an evening to set up. Follow the steps for your direction: Proton Mail to Outlook.com · Outlook.com to Proton Mail.