Proton Mail vs Runbox
In short: Proton Mail wins on privacy, they tie on price, and they tie on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 23 October 2026.
Proton Mail or Runbox: which should you choose?
- Proton Mail is the better pick if you want end-to-end encryption built in; a free plan to start on; and more room (15 GB, against 10 GB).
- Runbox suits you best if you want a cheaper plan, at $34.95 a year; the choice of any mail app over IMAP; and features the other lacks, like POP3 as well as CalDAV and CardDAV sync.
| Feature | Proton Mail | Runbox |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Privacy | 5.0 | 3.0 |
| Price | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Mail Plus $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly) | Mini $34.95 a year |
| Free plan | Yes, 1 GB, no own domain | No (30-day trial) |
| Storage | 15 GB | 10 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ 1 | ✓ Up to 5 |
| End-to-end encryption | ✓ Built in | No |
| Company based in | Switzerland | Norway |
| Your data is kept in | Switzerland | Norway |
| Founded | 2014 | 2000 |
| Free trial | Free plan; 30-day refund on paid plans | 30 days free, then a 60-day refund |
| 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 | 100 aliases |
| Open-source apps | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| 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
- Proton Mail's cheapest plan is Mail Plus ($3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly)); Runbox's is Mini ($34.95 a year).
- For free, Proton Mail gives you a free plan (1 GB, no own domain), and Runbox no free plan.
- Proton Mail comes with 15 GB of storage and Runbox with 10 GB of storage.
- Your mail is stored in Switzerland with Proton Mail, and in Norway with Runbox.
- Proton Mail is based in Switzerland and Runbox in Norway, so different privacy laws apply.
- Proton Mail encrypts mail end to end; Runbox doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans, and Runbox works in any mail app over IMAP.
- For extra addresses, Proton Mail has 10 addresses and Runbox has 100 aliases.
Questions people ask
Which is more private, Proton Mail or Runbox?
Proton Mail scores 5 out of 5 for privacy and Runbox 3. Proton Mail gives you end-to-end encryption built in and an account that doesn't need your phone number or ID.
Which is cheaper, Proton Mail or Runbox?
Runbox is cheaper. Its Mini plan is $34.95 a year, 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 Runbox work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. Proton Mail: 1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one. Runbox: Up to 5.
Where do Proton Mail and Runbox keep my email?
Proton Mail keeps it in Switzerland. Runbox keeps it in Norway.
Do Proton Mail and Runbox work in other mail apps?
Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans. Runbox works in any mail app over IMAP.
Prices and the latest news
I haven't seen either change its price since I started checking on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Proton Mail news · Runbox news.
Also worth a look
Proton Mail vs mailbox.org · Runbox vs mailbox.org · Proton Mail vs Posteo · Runbox vs Posteo · Proton Mail vs Tuta · Runbox vs Tuta
Switching between them
Decided? These guides take you through moving your mail, contacts and address: Proton Mail to Runbox · Runbox to Proton Mail.