Zoho Mail vs Proton Mail for Business
In short: Proton Mail for Business wins on privacy, Zoho Mail wins on price, and they tie on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 22 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Go for Zoho Mail if you'd like a cheaper plan, at $1 per user a month, yearly; to try it free first; and the choice of any mail app over IMAP.
- Proton Mail for Business suits you best if you want end-to-end encryption built in; more space for your mail: 15 GB; and open-source apps.
| Feature | Zoho Mail | Proton Mail for Business |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Privacy | 1.5 | 4.5 |
| Price | 5.0 | 2.5 |
| Features | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Mail Lite $1 per user a month, yearly | Mail Essentials $6.99 per user a month |
| Free plan | Yes, up to 5 users, 5 GB, own domain | No |
| Storage | 5 GB | 15 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Yes | ✓ 3 |
| End-to-end encryption | No | ✓ Built in |
| Company based in | India | Switzerland |
| Your data is kept in | EU (Amsterdam, Dublin); UK data centre announced for 2026, not confirmed live | Switzerland |
| Founded | 2008 | 2014 |
| Free trial | 15 days free, and a free plan for small teams | 30-day refund |
| Funded by advertising | No | No |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | With Proton Bridge on paid plans |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Aliases | Yes | Yes |
| Open-source apps | No | ✓ Yes |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | Unknown | No |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
Where they differ
- On price: Zoho Mail Mail Lite at $1 per user a month, yearly, against Proton Mail for Business Mail Essentials at $6.99 per user a month.
- Zoho Mail has a free plan (up to 5 users, 5 GB, own domain); Proton Mail for Business has no free plan.
- Space: Zoho Mail gives 5 GB of storage, Proton Mail for Business 15 GB of storage.
- Your mail is stored in the EU (Amsterdam, Dublin); UK data centre announced for 2026, not confirmed live with Zoho Mail, and in Switzerland with Proton Mail for Business.
- The companies sit under different laws: Zoho Mail in India, Proton Mail for Business in Switzerland.
- On encryption, Zoho Mail doesn't encrypt mail end to end, whereas Proton Mail for Business encrypts mail end to end.
- Mail apps: Zoho Mail works in any mail app over IMAP; Proton Mail for Business works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans.
Zoho Mail and Proton Mail for Business: your questions
Is Zoho Mail more private than Proton Mail for Business?
Proton Mail for Business scores 4.5 out of 5 for privacy and Zoho Mail 1.5. Proton Mail for Business gives you end-to-end encryption built in and open-source apps.
Is Zoho Mail cheaper than Proton Mail for Business?
Zoho Mail is cheaper. Its Mail Lite plan is $1 per user a month, yearly, against $6.99 per user a month for Proton Mail for Business's Mail Essentials. Zoho Mail also has a free plan. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Can I use my own domain with Zoho Mail or Proton Mail for Business?
Yes, both do. Zoho Mail: Yes. Proton Mail for Business: 3 domains on its cheapest plan that allows one.
Where is my email stored with Zoho Mail and Proton Mail for Business?
Zoho Mail keeps it in the EU (Amsterdam, Dublin); UK data centre announced for 2026, not confirmed live. Proton Mail for Business keeps it in Switzerland.
Can I use Zoho Mail and Proton Mail for Business in Apple Mail or Outlook?
Zoho Mail works in any mail app over IMAP. Proton Mail for Business works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans.
Price changes and news
I haven't seen either change its price since I started checking on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Zoho Mail news · Proton Mail for Business news.
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Moving your email
Moving to Zoho Mail · Moving from Zoho Mail. Or see all my switching guides.