Dive into the world of Proton Mail, where email security and privacy aren’t just buzzwords—they’re a way of life. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll unravel the features that make Proton Mail a fortress for your digital communications.
From its Swiss jurisdiction to end-to-end encryption, discover why this email service could be the missing piece in your cybersecurity puzzle. With Proton Mail, you’re not just sending emails—you’re making a statement for privacy and security !
Read further to learn more about Proton Mail, in our review we will detail its features, pros and cons with our rating, and a conclusion about why you should use it.
Click on “open” if you want to see exactly what we will talk about in the rest of this article.
Overview
What is Proton Mail?
Proton Mail is a Switzerland-based encrypted email service that prioritizes user privacy and data security. With over 100 million users, it offers end-to-end encryption and zero-access encryption, ensuring that only the user can access their messages.
The service is available on multiple platforms including Web, iOS, and Android. Proton Mail is free to use, with optional paid upgrades for additional features. It operates under strict Swiss privacy laws, providing an extra layer of legal protection for user data.
The platform also offers mobile apps and a bridge feature to integrate with other email clients, all while maintaining its encryption standards.
Proton Mail specifications
Features | Address verification / Alternative Routing / Custom Domains / Customization Features / End-to-End Encryption / Key Pinning / Keyboard Shortcuts / Labeling / Link Protection / Open-Source Transparency / Password-Protected Emails / Real-time anti-phishing / Secured with Encryption to Protect User Privacy / Swiss Privacy Laws / Third-party security audits / Tracking Protection / Two-Factor Authentication / Zero-Access Encryption |
Best suited for | Individuals, Freelancers, Small businesses, Mid size businesses, Large enterprises |
Website languages | Deutsch / English / French / Italian / Nederlands / Polsky / Portuguese / Română / Russian / Spanish / Turkish |
Website URL | Visit official website |
Support link | Support page |
Live chat | No |
Company address | Switzerland |
Year founded | 2014 |
Pricing
Proton Mail pricing: How much does Proton Mail cost?
Step into the world of Proton Mail, where email security meets affordability. With pricing plans ranging from $0 to $12.99 per month, there’s a perfect fit for everyone—from the individual seeking basic privacy features to the business requiring a full suite of advanced functionalities.
Explore our detailed guide to find the plan that aligns seamlessly with your needs and budget !
Pricing range | From $4.99 to $12.99 per month |
Pricing types | Monthly subscription |
Free plan | Yes |
Free trial | No |
Money back guarantee | Yes, 30 days |
Pricing page link | See plans |
Proton Mail pricing plans
Proton Free
- Cost: $0 per month
- Storage: Provides up to 1 GB of total storage for your emails and attachments.
- Email Addresses: You get one free email address.
- Message Limit: Allows you to send up to 150 messages per day.
- Calendars: Comes with 3 calendars for organizing your schedule.
- Device Sync: Enables syncing across multiple devices.
- File Sharing: Offers encrypted file sharing capabilities.
Mail Plus
- Cost: $3.99 per month, with an option to save by paying $47.88 for 12 months.
- Storage: Expands storage to 15 GB, accommodating more emails and larger files.
- Email Addresses: Allows you to have up to 10 different email addresses.
- Message Limit: Offers unlimited messaging, removing the daily cap.
- Custom Domain: Supports one custom email domain, ideal for businesses or professionals.
- Calendars: Provides 25 calendars for more intricate scheduling needs.
- Calendar Sharing: Enables sharing of calendars with others.
- Device Sync: Syncing across devices is supported.
- File Sharing: Encrypted file sharing is available.
Proton Unlimited (Popular)
- Cost: $9.99 per month, with an option to save by paying $119.88 for 12 months.
- Storage: Skyrockets storage to 500 GB, suitable for heavy users.
- Email Addresses: Permits up to 15 email addresses.
- Message Limit: Offers unlimited messaging.
- Custom Domains: Supports up to 3 custom email domains.
- Folders and Labels: Provides unlimited folders, labels, and filters for better email organization.
- Calendars: Comes with 25 calendars.
- Calendar Sharing: Allows calendar sharing.
- Device Sync: Supports syncing across all your devices.
- File Sharing: Offers encrypted file sharing with version history.
These are the primary pricing plans offered by Proton Mail, each designed to meet different user needs for secure and private email communication.
Features
Proton Mail features: What can you do with it?
Proton Mail is a secure email platform that offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to protect your privacy and data. From end-to-end encryption to advanced tracking protection, each feature is meticulously crafted to provide an unparalleled level of security.
End-to-End Encryption
End-to-end encryption ensures that your email content is encrypted on your device before it is sent to Proton Mail servers. This encryption is automatic and doesn’t require any special software or technical skills.
Only you and your intended recipient have the ability to decrypt and read the email, making it secure against unauthorized access.
Zero-Access Encryption
In zero-access encryption, even Proton Mail cannot access your emails. When you receive emails from other service providers, they are instantly encrypted on Proton Mail servers using your public key.
This architecture ensures that Proton Mail does not have the technical capability to decrypt your messages.
Password-Protected Emails
This feature allows you to send secure emails to people who don’t use the platform. Before sending the email, you can select a password in the composer. The email will then be encrypted and can only be accessed by someone who has the password, ensuring additional security.
Two-Factor Authentication with Hardware Security Keys
Two-factor authentication (2FA) with hardware security keys like YubiKey provides an additional layer of security. These physical keys are immune to online phishing attacks, and they eliminate the need to use an authenticator app on your phone.
Enhanced Tracking Protection
Proton Mail automatically blocks tracking pixels and hides your IP address when you read emails. This prevents advertisers from building a profile on you or serving you ads based on your email activity.
Proton Sentinel Program
This is an account protection program designed for high-risk individuals like journalists and activists. It uses AI systems and human specialists to monitor for malicious activities and security threats, providing an extra layer of security.
Open Source and Audited
All Proton Mail’s apps are open source, allowing anyone to inspect, use, and improve them. They have also been independently audited by third-party security experts, and the results are publicly available, ensuring transparency and trust.
Hardware-Level Security
Proton Mail owns its server hardware located in Switzerland. These data centers are highly secure and require biometric access. The servers use fully encrypted hard disks with multiple password layers, adding an extra layer of security.
Built-in PGP Support
Proton Mail supports Pretty Good Privacy (PGP), allowing you to send end-to-end encrypted emails even to non-Proton Mail users. This feature automatically encrypts messages using the recipient’s public key.
Address Verification and Key Pinning
Address verification and key pinning are features that perform client-side verification of encryption keys. This adds an optional control layer over key management and protects against man-in-the-middle attacks.
PhishGuard and Link Protection
PhishGuard is designed to protect against phishing attacks, while link protection ensures that malicious links are flagged. These features add several layers of defense against social engineering attacks and human error.
Onion Address and Alternative Routing
Proton Mail offers an Onion address for access over the Tor network, providing an extra layer of anonymity. The alternative routing feature helps you access your email even if Proton Mail is blocked by your government.
Community Contributions
Proton Mail is actively involved in the security community. They maintain the world’s most widely used open-source OpenPGP library and offer a bug bounty program to encourage security researchers to find and report vulnerabilities.
Additional Features of Proton Mail
Customize Your Inbox’s Appearance
Proton Mail offers a range of customization options for your inbox. Choose from different layouts, folder colors, and themes to make your inbox truly your own. Dark mode is also available for those who prefer it.
Stay Organized
The platform provides a variety of organizational tools like labels, folders, subfolders, and filters. These features help you keep your inbox neat and tidy. You can also set up filters to automatically sort incoming emails into designated folders or labels.
Manage Your Online Identities
Proton Mail allows you to have multiple email addresses linked to a single account. This feature enables you to manage, send, and filter emails from different addresses effortlessly, providing a unified but flexible email management experience.
Switch to Proton in One Click
The Easy Switch tool in Proton Mail simplifies the process of moving to a more secure email platform. With just a single click, you can transfer all your existing emails, contacts, and calendars from your current service to Proton Mail.
This feature is designed to make the transition as smooth as possible, eliminating the need for manual data migration.
Migrate to Proton Mail
For those who are switching from other email services, Proton Mail has a dedicated migration feature. This ensures that all your essential emails, contacts, and other data are securely transferred to your new Proton Mail account.
The migration is encrypted, maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of your data throughout the process.
Find Anything with Advanced Search
The advanced search feature in Proton Mail allows you to quickly locate specific emails by searching through the entire content. What sets this apart is that the search operation is performed on your device, ensuring that your data remains encrypted and secure at all times.
Quickly Unsubscribe from Newsletters
If your inbox is cluttered with newsletters that you no longer read, Proton Mail offers a one-click unsubscribe feature. This allows you to remove yourself from mailing lists instantly while ensuring that the process does not compromise the encryption of your email data.
Your Own Address with Your Own Domain Name
For a more personalized email experience, Proton Mail allows you to set up email addresses using your own domain.
This is particularly useful for businesses and professionals who want a customized email address. If you prefer, you can also use a @proton.me address for a more standardized option.
Work Faster with Keyboard Shortcuts
Proton Mail is designed to enhance user efficiency with a set of optimized keyboard shortcuts. These shortcuts allow you to navigate through your inbox, compose new emails, and manage your folders and labels more quickly, streamlining your email management tasks.
Use Your Favorite Email Client
With the Proton Mail Bridge feature, you can integrate Proton Mail with popular desktop email clients like Microsoft Outlook, Apple Mail, or Mozilla Thunderbird. This allows you to enjoy the convenience of your preferred client while benefiting from Proton Mail’s end-to-end encryption.
Conclusion
Proton Mail review: Why you should use it?
Proton Mail is a secure email service that offers end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only you and your recipient can access the email content. Even Proton Mail itself cannot read your emails, maintaining your anonymity and privacy.
The service is based in Switzerland, a jurisdiction known for its stringent privacy laws, further enhancing its credibility.
Additionally, it offers two-factor authentication, adding an extra layer of security to your account. Proton Mail is not just about security; it also offers a user-friendly interface and is compatible with both iOS and Android devices.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Swiss Jurisdiction: Being based in Switzerland means that Proton Mail is subject to one of the world’s most privacy-friendly legal frameworks.
- End-to-End Encryption: This feature ensures that only you and the recipient can read the email, making it almost impossible for third parties to intercept your communications.
- Mobile App Availability: Proton Mail provides apps for both iOS and Android, making it convenient for users who are always on the go.
- Open-Source: The web client and encryption algorithm are open-source, allowing for community contributions and scrutiny.
- Custom Domain Support: You can personalize your email address by using a custom domain, which is especially useful for businesses.
Cons
- Personal Information Requirement: To verify new accounts, some personal information is required, which might be a concern for those seeking complete anonymity.
- No Subject Line Encryption: The service does not encrypt email subject lines, which could be a potential vulnerability.
- Package Clarity: Some users find the pricing packages to be unclear and expensive, although this is subjective.
By weighing these pros and cons, you can make an informed decision on whether Proton Mail aligns with your needs for secure and private email communication.
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