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About Proton
What is Proton?
Proton provides end-to-end encrypted email, calendar, VPN, and cloud storage from a single Swiss-based account. Unlike traditional email providers, Proton cannot read your messages or sell your data because encryption happens on your device before anything reaches their servers. It also blocks email trackers and requires no phone number to sign up.
Who is it for?
Proton is ideal for privacy-conscious individuals, journalists, activists, and professionals handling sensitive communications. It is less suited for bulk promotional email senders, as that use case is not supported.
Real use cases
Journalists use Proton to communicate securely with sources. Businesses rely on custom domains and encrypted calendars to protect internal communications. Individuals use the free plan to escape data profiling by Gmail or Outlook.
Key features
- End-to-end encrypted email — Messages are encrypted on your device before sending; Proton cannot read them.
- Built-in VPN — Route your traffic through Swiss servers with a no-logs policy, up to 10 VPN connections on Unlimited.
- Encrypted calendar — Events and details encrypted end-to-end; Proton cannot see them.
- Proton Drive — Zero-access encrypted storage for photos, documents, and file sharing.
- Self-destructing messages — Set expiration times for sent emails.
- Custom domains — Use your own domain with paid plans.
- Easy Switch import — Import emails, calendars, and contacts from providers like Gmail.
Proton Pricing
Proton pricing: Free · from $3.99/mo for Mail Plus · from $9.99/mo for Proton Unlimited. Billing model: Freemium.
Proton Free – $0/mo
1 GB storage, 1 user, 1 encrypted email address, basic VPN access, and email tracker blocking.
Mail Plus – from $3.99/mo
15 GB storage, 10 email addresses, 1 custom domain, unlimited folders & labels, 10 hide-my-email aliases, priority customer support, and the Easy Switch import assistant.
Proton Unlimited – from $9.99/mo
500 GB storage, 15 email addresses, 3 custom domains, unlimited folders/labels/hide-my-email aliases, full VPN (20,000+ servers in 140+ countries), encrypted password manager, encrypted cloud storage, advanced account protection (Proton Sentinel), and dark web monitoring. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
Is Proton free?
Yes, Proton offers a free plan with 1 GB storage, 1 email address, and basic VPN access.
How much does Proton Mail cost?
Proton Mail starts free; Mail Plus is from $3.99/mo, and Proton Unlimited from $9.99/mo. All paid plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
What is Proton best for?
Proton is best for privacy-conscious individuals, journalists, activists, and professionals who need encrypted email, calendar, VPN, and storage under one account.
Does Proton have a VPN?
Yes, Proton includes a built-in VPN with a no-logs policy, Swiss servers, and up to 10 connections on the Unlimited plan.
What are the main alternatives to Proton?
Top alternatives include Tutanota (encrypted email), Fastmail (privacy-focused email), and NordVPN (standalone VPN) or Bitwarden (password manager), but Proton combines all services in one suite.
What is the biggest limitation of Proton?
Proton does not support bulk promotional or programmatic email sending. It is designed for personal and professional private communication, not mass marketing.
