Proton Mail vs SiteGround
In short: Proton Mail wins on privacy, they tie on price, and Proton Mail wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 25 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Proton Mail suits you best if you want encryption that means even the provider can't read your mail; your mailbox stored in Switzerland; and to try it free first.
- SiteGround suits you best if you want to pay less: From $2.99 a month for the first year, with web hosting and to read your mail in any app, such as Apple Mail, Outlook or Thunderbird.
| Feature | Proton Mail | SiteGround |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.5 | 2.5 |
| Privacy | 5.0 | 1.5 |
| Price | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Mail Plus $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly) | StartUp hosting From $2.99 a month for the first year, with web hosting |
| Free plan | Yes, 1 GB, no own domain | No |
| Storage | 15 GB | Not confirmed |
| Your own domain | ✓ 1 | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | ✓ Built in | No |
| Company based in | Switzerland | Bulgaria |
| Your data is kept in | Switzerland | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2014 | Unknown |
| Free trial | Free plan; 30-day refund on paid plans | Unknown |
| 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 | No |
| 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 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
The key differences
- Proton Mail's cheapest plan is Mail Plus ($3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly)); SiteGround's is StartUp hosting (From $2.99 a month for the first year, with web hosting).
- For free, Proton Mail gives you a free plan (1 GB, no own domain), and SiteGround no free plan.
- Proton Mail comes with 15 GB of storage and SiteGround with storage not confirmed.
- Your mail is stored in Switzerland with Proton Mail, and in Not confirmed with SiteGround.
- Proton Mail is based in Switzerland and SiteGround in Bulgaria, so different privacy laws apply.
- Proton Mail encrypts mail end to end; SiteGround doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans, and SiteGround works in any mail app over IMAP.
- For extra addresses, Proton Mail has 10 addresses and SiteGround has yes.
Questions people ask
Which is more private, Proton Mail or SiteGround?
Proton Mail scores 5 out of 5 for privacy and SiteGround 1.5. Proton Mail gives you encryption that means even the provider can't read your mail, your mailbox stored in Switzerland and open-source apps.
Which is cheaper, Proton Mail or SiteGround?
SiteGround is cheaper. Its StartUp hosting plan is From $2.99 a month for the first year, with web hosting, 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 SiteGround work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. Proton Mail: 1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one. SiteGround: Yes.
Where do Proton Mail and SiteGround keep my email?
Proton Mail keeps it in Switzerland. SiteGround keeps it in Not confirmed.
Do Proton Mail and SiteGround work in other mail apps?
Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans. SiteGround works in any mail app over IMAP.
Recent price changes
No price changes for either since 23 October 2026. I check regularly and add any change here with its date.
The latest headlines: Proton Mail news · SiteGround news.
Alternatives to Proton Mail and SiteGround
Proton Mail vs mailbox.org · SiteGround vs mailbox.org · Proton Mail vs Posteo · SiteGround vs Posteo · Proton Mail vs Tuta · SiteGround vs Tuta
How to switch
Moving to Proton Mail · Moving from Proton Mail. Or see all my switching guides.