You think Gmail, Outlook or Yahoo are free. But what if the hidden price wasn’t money, but your privacy, your identity, your freedom? Every search you type, every email you send, every photo you store becomes part of a profile you never agreed to. This invisible file decides what ads you see, what news reaches you, even how companies and governments perceive you.
And here’s the truth nobody likes to admit: when it comes to Big Tech, if you’re not paying, you’re the product. That’s why Proton Mail vs Gmail is not just about comparing features : it’s about choosing who you trust with your life online.
👉 Proton, created by scientists at CERN in Switzerland, was built with one radical idea: your inbox, your files, your data should belong only to you. No ads. No surveillance. No hidden backdoors. Just strong encryption, Swiss privacy laws, and tools designed to protect, not exploit.
- This isn’t simply about switching email providers.
- It’s about taking back control.
It’s time to de-Google your life.
Proton pricing: from Free to $1 first month
Proton Free – $0 (free forever)
A secure email adress completely free forever, giving you 1 GB of encrypted storage. Afterwards, you benefit from end-to-end encryption, so only you and your recipients can read your emails. Moreover, the plan is ad-free, meaning your inbox stays clean and private.
➡️ The easiest way to test Proton Mail without risk, start for free today!
Proton Mail Plus – $4.99/month ($3.99/month annual, -20%)
15 GB of encrypted storage for your emails and files. In addition, you can create 10 aliases and connect 1 custom domain, which makes it ideal for professionals and small businesses. The plan includes unlimited folders and filters, ensuring that you can organize your inbox without limits. It comes with Proton Mail and Proton Calendar, plus priority support whenever you need assistance. Finally, every subscription is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it without any risk.
➡️ The perfect plan for individuals who want more storage, custom domains, and professional features.
Proton Unlimited – $1 first month, then $12.99/month ($9.99 annual, -23%)
500 GB of secure storage, which is ideal for both personal and professional use. In addition, it unlocks all Proton services in one plan: Mail, Calendar, Drive, VPN, Pass, and Docs. Moreover, you can create up to 15 aliases and connect 3 custom domains, offering flexibility for multiple identities or business emails. You gain access to Proton VPN with Secure Core, Kill Switch, and Tor via VPN, ensuring advanced online protection. The plan also includes Proton Pass, a fully encrypted password manager, and encrypted cloud storage for your files and photos.
Finally, every subscription comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it with confidence.
➡️ This is the most popular Proton plan, risk-free with the $1 trial.
Proton Duo – $19.99/month ($14.99 annual, -25%)
1 TB of encrypted storage, making it a powerful upgrade for heavier users. In addition, the plan supports up to 2 users, so it’s perfect for couples, business partners or small teams. Moreover, you can create up to 30 aliases, giving you more ways to separate work, family and personal emails. The plan unlocks all Proton services, Mail, Calendar, Drive, VPN, Pass and Docs, in a single subscription. Finally, it even includes Proton Scribe, the AI writing assistant, to help you save time and improve productivity.
Every Duo subscription is protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee, ensuring peace of mind.
➡️ An ideal choice for couples, freelancers or small teams who need both privacy and collaboration.
Proton Family – $29.99/month ($23.99 annual, -20%)
3 TB of shared encrypted storage, giving every member plenty of space for emails, files, and photos. In addition, the plan supports up to 6 users, which makes it ideal for households or even small teams. Moreover, you can create up to 90 aliases, allowing each user to protect multiple identities and manage inboxes securely. The subscription unlocks all Proton services : Mail, Calendar, Drive, VPN, Pass, and Docs, under one plan. Finally, you benefit from priority support, ensuring faster help whenever you need it most.
As with all Proton paid plans, you are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there is no risk in trying.
➡️ One subscription is enough to protect your entire family with Swiss-grade privacy.
Proton Mail vs Gmail, Outlook and Yahoo
| Features | Proton Mail | Gmail | Outlook | Yahoo Mail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / Plus / Unlimited / Duo / Family | Free (but you pay with your data) | Free (but you pay with your data) | Free (but you pay with your data) |
| No ads | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| No data collection | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| End-to-end encryption | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| VPN included | ✅ (Unlimited, Duo, Family) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| AI assistant | ✅ (Proton Scribe) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Swiss privacy laws | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
👉 Unlike Gmail and other Big Tech email, Proton is designed for privacy.
Proton Mail vs Gmail: why Proton is different
- Proton offers end-to-end encryption with zero access, not even Proton itself can read your emails.
- Its open-source code and independent audits guarantee real transparency.
- Swiss-based protection gives you the world’s strictest privacy laws.
- Unlike Gmail and Big Tech, Proton delivers a clean inbox with no ads and no trackers.
- Aliases such as @pm.me and hide-my-email help you protect your identity online.
- Catch-all addresses and one-click unsubscribe put you back in full control of your inbox.
- Proton Sentinel and Dark Web Monitoring offer advanced security against phishing and leaks.
- More than 100M users worldwide already trust Proton, proving this is more than a niche choice.
- Being founded at CERN, the birthplace of the web, shows Proton’s roots in trust and science.
Testimonials
“Proton Mail is my favorite email service.” Jack Dorsey, Twitter co-founder
“I love my ProtonMail.” Mark Ruffalo, actor
“I imported 20 years of Gmail into Proton and deleted Google forever.” @hexnobody
“With Big Tech, if it’s free, you are the product. Not with Proton.” Deborah, user
Why switch to an encrypted email service now?
- Free plan $0 forever → risk-free start.
- Unlimited $1 first month → test the full ecosystem.
- Duo & Family plans → privacy for teams & families.
- 30-day money-back guarantee → cancel anytime.
Conclusion
In fact, Gmail, Outlook and Yahoo cost you your privacy. With Proton, you finally have a choice:
Privacy is not a luxury. It’s a right. And Proton makes it accessible to everyone.
FAQ
Is Proton Mail really free?
Absolutely, the Free plan is $0 forever with 1 GB storage, 1 address, encryption and no ads. (Proton Free)
What is the $1 trial?
Proton Unlimited is $1 for your first month, then $12.99/month or $9.99 annual. (Plan and pricing)
What happens after the trial?
Your subscription renews automatically, but you can cancel anytime.
What is Proton Duo?
$19.99/month (or $14.99 annual) plan for 2 users with 1 TB storage and Proton Scribe AI assistant. (Plan and pricing)
Does Proton include a VPN?
Proton VPN comes with Unlimited, Duo, Family. Features: Secure Core, NetShield, Tor via VPN, Kill Switch.
Does Proton offer extra security?
Absolutely, Proton Sentinel & Dark Web Monitoring protect against phishing and leaks.
Is Proton open source?
All Proton apps are open source and audited.
Can I import from Gmail?
Easy Switch transfers emails, contacts, calendars in minutes.
Does Proton offer refunds?
Yes. All paid plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Who created Proton?
Scientists at CERN, birthplace of the web. Now trusted by 100M+ users.
In conclusion : Your data, your rules. Don’t let Google, Outlook or Yahoo own your digital life. As a result, take back control today with Proton Mail : the real privacy choice.
