Proton Mail vs Posteo
Proton Mail wins on privacy, Posteo wins on price and Proton Mail wins on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 23 October 2026.
Should you pick Proton Mail or Posteo?
- Proton Mail is the better pick if you want mail that's encrypted end to end without any setup; a free plan before you pay anything; and to use your own domain, like you@yourname.co.uk.
- Posteo suits you best if you want to pay less: €1 a month; freedom to use the mail app you already like; and extras such as POP3 as well as CalDAV and CardDAV sync.
| Feature | Proton Mail | Posteo |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Privacy | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Price | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | 3.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Mail Plus $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly) | Posteo €1 a month |
| Free plan | Yes, 1 GB, no own domain | No |
| Storage | 15 GB | 4 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ 1 | No |
| End-to-end encryption | ✓ Built in | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) |
| Company based in | Switzerland | Germany |
| Your data is kept in | Switzerland | Germany |
| Founded | 2014 | 2009 |
| Free trial | Free plan; 30-day refund on paid plans | No, €1 a month from the start |
| 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 (posteo.de only) |
| Open-source apps | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Sign up without ID | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | Offer Proton's current deals | None |
| Last checked | 23 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
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How Proton Mail and Posteo differ
- On price: Proton Mail Mail Plus at $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly), against Posteo Posteo at €1 a month.
- For free, Proton Mail gives you a free plan (1 GB, no own domain), and Posteo no free plan.
- Proton Mail comes with 15 GB of storage and Posteo with 4 GB of storage.
- Proton Mail keeps your mail in Switzerland, while Posteo keeps it in Germany.
- Proton Mail is based in Switzerland and Posteo in Germany, so different privacy laws apply.
- Proton Mail encrypts mail end to end; Posteo offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage).
- Proton Mail lets you bring your own domain name; Posteo doesn't.
- Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans, and Posteo works in any mail app over IMAP.
- For extra addresses, Proton Mail has 10 addresses and Posteo has yes (posteo.de only).
Common questions
Which is more private, Proton Mail or Posteo?
Proton Mail scores 5 out of 5 for privacy and Posteo 4.5. Proton Mail gives you mail that's encrypted end to end without any setup.
Which is cheaper, Proton Mail or Posteo?
Posteo is cheaper. Its Posteo plan is €1 a month, 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 Posteo work with my own domain?
Only Proton Mail does (1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one). With Posteo your address stays on its own domain.
Where do Proton Mail and Posteo keep my email?
Proton Mail keeps it in Switzerland. Posteo keeps it in Germany.
Do Proton Mail and Posteo work in other mail apps?
Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans. Posteo works in any mail app over IMAP.
Price changes and news
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 · Posteo news.
Not sold on either? Try these
Proton Mail vs mailbox.org · Posteo vs mailbox.org · Proton Mail vs Tuta · Posteo vs Tuta · Proton Mail vs addy.io · Posteo vs addy.io
Switching between them
Switching takes an evening to set up. Follow the steps for your direction: Proton Mail to Posteo · Posteo to Proton Mail.