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Proton Mail

Proton Mail review

Swiss-encrypted email that keeps your inbox private — free to start, no ads, no tracking.

Proton Mail costs from $4.99/mo · 3 plans · Free plan available

By Ciroapp Editorial Team · Updated Nov 9, 2026
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Proton Mail homepage screenshot

At a glance

Quick overview for Proton Mail: rating, pricing summary, key features, and highlights.
Vendor page checked Nov 9, 2026

Ciroapp score

4.2/ 5

Proton Mail backs its privacy promises with real substance: end-to-end encryption on every plan, open-source apps that are independently audited, tracker blocking, and a one-click switch from Gmail. The trade-offs are thin free storage, a 25 MB attachment cap, and rates tied to yearly billing. Overall, it's a recommendable pick for anyone who wants private email without technical fuss.

Pros

  • End-to-end and zero-access encryption applies to every plan, including the free tier, so not even Proton can read your messages — and it runs in the background with no technical configuration.
  • Easy Switch imports messages, contacts, and calendars from Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo in one click, and Gmail users can keep syncing new mail and send from their old Gmail address inside Proton.
  • Built-in tracker blocking stops senders from monitoring what you read and click, while PhishGuard flags phishing attempts and link confirmation verifies destinations before you click.

Cons

  • The advertised rates require a 12-month commitment — Mail Plus bills $47.88 yearly and Proton Unlimited $119.88 yearly, which won't suit month-to-month budgets.
  • The free plan caps you at 1 GB of storage (500 MB to start) and a single email address, so heavy attachment users and anyone needing custom domains must upgrade.
  • Connecting third-party clients like Outlook, Apple Mail, or Thunderbird requires Proton Mail Bridge, which is available only on paid plans — free users are limited to Proton's own apps.
Best for
  • Privacy-minded individuals who don't want their inbox scanned for ads or AI training
  • Gmail users who want a simple exit without losing old messages
  • Journalists, activists, and professionals handling sensitive communications
Money-back guarantee
Yes — 30 days
This section is a summary. Detailed sections about features, use cases, pricing, and reviews follow below.

What is Proton Mail?

Most "free" email services scan your inbox and use your messages for ads or AI training. Proton Mail works differently: it's funded by subscribers, not your data. With end-to-end and zero-access encryption, tracker blocking, and a real free plan, your email stays yours — no technical skills needed.

Proton Mail is an encrypted email service from Switzerland and the world's largest end-to-end encrypted email provider. Over 100 million people and 100,000 businesses use it, including journalists and activists. Encryption runs quietly in the background, so no technical skill is needed.

It fits everyday users who want to leave Gmail behind, professionals handling sensitive messages, and companies needing encrypted email with custom domains.

Should you choose Proton Mail?

Quick buyer guidance before you compare plans or click through.

Choose it if

  • People who want encryption that works in the background with zero technical setup
  • Users tired of email trackers following their reading and clicks
  • Buyers who value open-source apps and independent security audits
  • Multi-device users — apps cover web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iPhone
  • Households that can use the Family plan's 3 TB of shared storage

Skip it if

  • The cheapest rates require a 12-month commitment — Mail Plus bills $47.88 yearly and Unlimited bills $119.88 yearly, which won't suit month-to-month budgets
  • The free plan caps you at 1 GB of storage and one email address, so heavy users will likely need to pay
  • Connecting third-party desktop clients requires Proton Bridge, a separate add-on whose cost isn't shown on this page
  • Proton is positioned as a replacement for Gmail and Microsoft 365, not a companion — deep integration with those ecosystems isn't the pitch
  • Custom domains and extra addresses only arrive on paid plans, so the free tier won't cover branded email needs

Next steps before buying

  1. 1Compare monthly vs 12-month pricing on Proton's pricing page — the advertised discounts apply only to annual billing
  2. 2Start on Proton Free to test the inbox first; no credit card is required
  3. 3Run Easy Switch with your current provider to confirm imports and, for Gmail, ongoing sync work for your setup
  4. 4Read the 30-day money-back guarantee terms before paying for Mail Plus or Unlimited
  5. 5Decide between Mail Plus and Unlimited by checking whether you'd actually use the bundled VPN, cloud storage, and password manager

Ease of use

Setup looks simple. Proton says encryption works in the background, so beginners don't need technical skills. The Easy Switch tool imports email, contacts, and calendars in one click, and Gmail users can keep syncing new messages automatically. The free plan requires no credit card, and paid plans add priority or dedicated support. This assessment is based on the site's onboarding information, not hands-on testing.

Proton Mail Key Features

🔒 Encryption that stays out of your way

Your messages stay yours. End-to-end and zero-access encryption mean not even Proton can read your email — and that protection comes on every plan, including the free one. It all runs quietly in the background, so there's nothing to configure or learn.

Just write, send, and know only you and your recipient can read what you share.

✨ Switch providers without losing a thing

Moving inboxes usually means losing history. Easy Switch fixes that. Import your messages, contacts, and calendars from Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and more in one click.

Gmail users get ongoing sync too, so new mail keeps arriving — and you can send and receive from your Gmail address inside Proton. Use it when you're ready to leave, without leaving anything behind.

🛡️ Trackers blocked, phishing flagged

Email trackers tell senders what you read and click, then follow you around the web. Proton Mail blocks them automatically, so companies can't monitor you. On the safety side, PhishGuard flags known phishing attempts and alerts you to suspicious emails.

Link confirmation checks where a link really leads before you click.

✨ A familiar inbox, just private

Privacy doesn't mean giving up conveniences. Your inbox stays tidy and works the way you expect, across web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iPhone. Helpful touches include:

Use Cases

🔄 Switching from Gmail without losing anything

You're leaving Gmail but want your history. Run Easy Switch, sign in, and your messages, contacts, and calendars import in one click. For Gmail, new emails keep syncing, and you can send from your old address inside Proton.

Expected outcome: your old mail is ready and waiting in your new inbox.

🛡️ Handling sensitive conversations

You're a journalist, activist, or professional who can't risk exposure. End-to-end and zero-access encryption mean not even Proton can read your messages, and it all runs in the background. Expected outcome: private communication with zero technical setup.

🏢 Branded email for your small business

You want email at your own domain. Mail Plus supports one custom domain with 10 extra addresses; Unlimited supports three. Both carry the same encryption and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Tip: choose Unlimited only if you'd use the VPN and storage too.

🙈 Signing up for websites without spam

You're tired of junk after every signup. Create a hide-my-email alias for each site, keep your real address hidden, and cut off any alias that attracts junk. Tracker blocking stops senders from following what you read.

Tip: Unlimited includes unlimited aliases; Mail Plus includes 10.

Proton Mail pricing

Pricing changed on Nov 9, 2026.

From$4.99/mo

  • 3 plans
  • Free plan available
  • Save up to 23% with annual billing

Vendor page checked on Nov 9, 2026; confirm current prices on Proton Mail's pricing page

Proton Mail pricing page screenshotView pricing page screenshot
PlanBilled monthlyBilled annuallyIncludes
Proton Free
Free
—
1 GB storage, 1 email address, 25 MB attachments
  • 1 GB storage (500 MB to start)
  • 1 user, 1 encrypted email address
  • End-to-end and zero-access encryption
  • Unlimited messages per day, folders, labels, and filters
  • Easy Switch import assistant
  • +1
Mail Plus
$4.99/mo
$3.99/mo
$47.88 per year
Save up to 20% with annual billing
15 GB storage, 1 custom domain, 10 aliases, 25 MB attachments
  • 15 GB storage
  • 10 extra email addresses with @pm.me address
  • Support for 1 custom email domain
  • 10 hide-my-email aliases, unlimited folders and labels
  • Priority customer support
  • +1
Proton Unlimited
$12.99/mo
$9.99/mo
$119.88 per year
Save up to 23% with annual billing
1 user, 3 custom email domains, 25 MB attachments
  • 500 GB encrypted storage
  • 15 extra email addresses, 3 custom email domains
  • Unlimited hide-my-email aliases
  • Dedicated customer support
  • Proton VPN, Pass password manager, and Drive cloud storage
  • +1

Price history

  1. Nov 2026Unlimited $9.99 → $6.49

Pricing types: Free plan, Monthly subscription, Yearly subscription

Pricing notes

Proton Mail offers a genuinely free plan plus two paid tiers. Mail Plus runs $3.99/month (normally $4.99) billed yearly at $47.88, and Proton Unlimited runs $9.99/month (normally $12.99) billed yearly at $119.88.

Both paid plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Proton Mail costs between $0 and $9.99 per month with three plans: Proton Free at $0.00, Mail Plus at $3.99 per month, and Proton Unlimited at $9.99 per month — both paid plans are billed every 12 months and discounted from their monthly rates.

Here's a quick tour of each plan so you can find your fit.

Proton Free

Price: $0.00/month Other Features:

  • 1 GB storage (start with 500 MB, expand to 1 GB with the get-started checklist)
  • 1 user, 1 encrypted email address
  • End-to-end and zero-access encryption, unlimited messages per day
  • Easy Switch import assistant for Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo
  • No credit card required

Proton Free is the right pick if you want private email without paying anything. It's not a stripped-down demo — Proton says the same encryption protects every plan, and the free plan will always exist. The trade-off is one address and 1 GB of storage, which feels tight if you handle lots of attachments.

Mail Plus

Price: $3.99/month, billed at $47.88 every 12 months (normally $4.99/month) Refund Policy: 30-day money-back guarantee Other Features:

  • 15 GB storage
  • 10 extra email addresses, including a short @pm.me address
  • Support for 1 custom email domain
  • 10 hide-my-email aliases, unlimited folders and labels
  • Priority support, auto-reply, catch-all, and IMAP/SMTP desktop access via Proton Mail Bridge

Mail Plus covers most people's needs. You get a custom domain, real storage headroom, and extras like calendar sharing and up to 25 personal calendars. If you mainly want a better inbox than Gmail, this tier is the sweet spot — and the 20% annual discount saves you $12.

Proton Unlimited

Price: $9.99/month, billed at $119.88 every 12 months (normally $12.99/month) Refund Policy: 30-day money-back guarantee Other Features:

  • 500 GB of encrypted storage
  • 15 extra email addresses and support for 3 custom email domains
  • Unlimited hide-my-email aliases and dedicated customer support
  • The full Proton suite: VPN, encrypted password manager, and cloud storage
  • Extras like Secure Core servers, Tor over VPN, and Drive version history

Choose Unlimited when you want every Proton app in one subscription. The fast VPN, password manager, and 500 GB of storage justify the price jump for heavy users. If you only need encrypted email, Mail Plus does that job for less — so don't pay for tools you won't open.

Every paid plan renews at its standard monthly rate without the annual commitment, and you can cancel anytime. Proton also offers a permanent free plan (no credit card needed) plus a 30-day money-back guarantee on paid tiers. Need more room? The FAQ notes Proton Family shares up to 3 TB with up to six people, while teams should look at the separate business plans.

Cost calculator

Estimate what Proton Mail costs for your team.

Billing
Per month
$4.99
Per year
$59.88

Mail Plus has a flat price: the number of seats does not change the total. Estimate based on published list prices, before taxes, add-ons and discounts.

How to pay less for Proton Mail

  • Pay annually: saves up to 23% compared with monthly billing.
  • Start on the free plan and upgrade only when you hit its limits.
  • 30-day money-back guarantee if it does not fit.
  • Cheaper tools in this category start at $3/mo.
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What's new

  1. price change
    Proton Mail pricing updated

    Unlimited: $9.99/mo → $6.49/mo (-35%)

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Why use Proton Mail?

Your inbox holds some of your most personal information — and Proton Mail is built so only you can read it. Here's why it stands out:

  • You're the only reader. End-to-end and zero-access encryption mean not even Proton can see your messages — on every plan, including the free one.
  • Swiss privacy protection. Proton is headquartered in Switzerland, so your data falls under some of the world's strictest privacy laws.
  • Switching is genuinely easy. Easy Switch imports your messages, contacts, and calendars in one click. Gmail users get ongoing sync and can even send and receive from their old address inside Proton.
  • Trackers and phishing get blocked. Proton stops email trackers that follow you around the web, and PhishGuard flags suspicious messages and confirms links before you click.
  • It's open and audited. All apps are open source and independently audited for security — you don't have to take Proton's word for it.
  • Free is actually usable. The free plan costs nothing, needs no credit card, and carries the same encryption as paid plans. Upgrades add storage, aliases, and custom domains, backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Try it nowView pricing

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Proton Mail FAQ

How much does Proton Mail cost?

Proton Mail's cheapest paid plan, Mail Plus, costs $4.99 per month. Paid plans range from $4.99 to $12.99 per month.

Does Proton Mail have a free plan?

Yes. Proton Mail has a free plan (Proton Free); paid plans start at $4.99 per month.

Does Proton Mail offer a free trial or a money-back guarantee?

It has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

How much do you save with annual billing on Proton Mail?

Paying annually saves up to 23% compared with monthly billing, based on Proton Mail's list prices.

Has Proton Mail's price changed recently?

Yes. We detected a price change on Nov 2026: Unlimited: $9.99 → $6.49.

Can I use Proton Mail with Outlook, Apple Mail, or Thunderbird?

Yes, via Proton Mail Bridge, which adds IMAP/SMTP support for paid plans. Gmail users get extra flexibility too — Easy Switch can keep new mail syncing and let you send from your old Gmail address inside Proton.

What kind of customer support comes with paid plans?

Mail Plus includes priority customer support, and Proton Unlimited adds dedicated support. If fast, guaranteed response times matter to you, review Proton's support terms before you commit to a plan.

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