Proton Mail vs Zoho Mail
On privacy it's Proton Mail. On price it's Zoho Mail. On features it's a tie. Here's everything side by side, last checked 23 October 2026.
Should you pick Proton Mail or Zoho Mail?
- Proton Mail is the better pick if you want encryption that means even the provider can't read your mail; more space for your mail: 15 GB; and open-source apps.
- Zoho Mail suits you best if you want the lower price ($1 per user a month, yearly); to read your mail in any app, such as Apple Mail, Outlook or Thunderbird; and more built in, including POP3 as well as CalDAV and CardDAV sync.
| Feature | Proton Mail | Zoho Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.5 | 3.0 |
| Privacy | 5.0 | 1.5 |
| Price | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Mail Plus $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly) | Mail Lite $1 per user a month, yearly |
| Free plan | Yes, 1 GB, no own domain | Yes, up to 5 users, 5 GB, own domain |
| Storage | 15 GB | 5 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ 1 | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | ✓ Built in | No |
| Company based in | Switzerland | India |
| Your data is kept in | Switzerland | EU (Amsterdam, Dublin); UK data centre announced for 2026, not confirmed live |
| Founded | 2014 | 2008 |
| Free trial | Free plan; 30-day refund on paid plans | 15 days free, and a free plan for small teams |
| 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 |
| 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 | 22 October 2026 |
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Where they differ
- Cheapest plans: Proton Mail Mail Plus, $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly). Zoho Mail Mail Lite, $1 per user a month, yearly.
- For free, Proton Mail gives you a free plan (1 GB, no own domain), and Zoho Mail a free plan (up to 5 users, 5 GB, own domain).
- Proton Mail comes with 15 GB of storage and Zoho Mail with 5 GB of storage.
- Your mail is stored in Switzerland with Proton Mail, and in the EU (Amsterdam, Dublin); UK data centre announced for 2026, not confirmed live with Zoho Mail.
- Proton Mail is based in Switzerland and Zoho Mail in India, so different privacy laws apply.
- Proton Mail encrypts mail end to end; Zoho Mail doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans, and Zoho Mail works in any mail app over IMAP.
- For extra addresses, Proton Mail has 10 addresses and Zoho Mail has yes.
Questions people ask
Which is more private, Proton Mail or Zoho Mail?
Proton Mail scores 5 out of 5 for privacy and Zoho Mail 1.5. Proton Mail gives you encryption that means even the provider can't read your mail, open-source apps and an account that doesn't need your phone number or ID.
Which is cheaper, Proton Mail or Zoho Mail?
Zoho Mail is cheaper. Its Mail Lite plan is $1 per user a month, yearly, against $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly) for Proton Mail's Mail Plus. Zoho Mail and Proton Mail also have a free plan. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Do Proton Mail and Zoho Mail work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. Proton Mail: 1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one. Zoho Mail: Yes.
Where do Proton Mail and Zoho Mail keep my email?
Proton Mail keeps it in Switzerland. Zoho Mail keeps it in the EU (Amsterdam, Dublin); UK data centre announced for 2026, not confirmed live.
Do Proton Mail and Zoho Mail work in other mail apps?
Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans. Zoho Mail works in any mail app over IMAP.
Recent price changes
I haven't seen either change its price since I started checking on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Proton Mail news · Zoho Mail news.
Not sold on either? Try these
Proton Mail vs mailbox.org · Zoho Mail vs mailbox.org · Proton Mail vs Posteo · Zoho Mail vs Posteo · Proton Mail vs Tuta · Zoho Mail vs Tuta
Switching between them
Decided? These guides take you through moving your mail, contacts and address: Proton Mail to Zoho Mail · Zoho Mail to Proton Mail.