If you use or have considered using ProtonMail, you've likely wondered how it stacks up against the best email solutions in 2024.

In this guide, we consider personal and business use, privacy, security and end-to-end encryption, domain requirements, compatibility across operating systems and devices, and functionality. 

What Is ProtonMail?

ProtonMail is an end-to-end encrypted email service launched in 2013 in Switzerland. ProtonMail has become one of the top free email service providers (alongside Gmail, iCloud, and Outlook) by distinguishing itself with its privacy and security features. 

ProtonMail secures data in a message before it’s sent to Proton servers, which distinguishes it from services like Gmail. 

While ProtonMail is generally received in a positive light, it isn’t without its flaws. It’s been subjected to DDoS attacks that have made its services inaccessible to some users. ProtonMail is also not well suited to high-volume use and its subject lines are not encrypted. To some, these issues may be trivial and others may wish to see what else may be available to them.

The Top 4 ProtonMail Alternatives

Let’s take a look at the best alternatives to ProtonMail so you can make the best choice for yourself and your team:

1. Tutanota

Tutanota is a strong frontrunner as an alternative to ProtonMail. They offer end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication, and protection from phishing attempts. It’s an open source platform for those that can appreciate that feature. 

They and their servers are based in Germany where they’ve put a focus on sustainability. Their offices and servers are powered by 100% renewable energy so you can remain secure and help out the planet. Tutanota offers both person and business-tiered packages to get the right fit for you.

Let’s take a look at the tier options. The free tier kicks things off with the standard 1GB of storage, one email address, and one calendar. Their Revolutionary tier boosts the storage up to 20GB, unlimited calendars, access to custom domain email addresses, calendar sharing, event invites, and autoresponders. The Legend tier includes everything from the previous tiers plus 500GB of storage, 30 extra email addresses, 10 custom domain email addresses of your own, and priority support.

Their business tiers include three options each, including unlimited calendars, unlimited custom domain addresses, shared mailboxes, and more. 

The Essential tier includes 50GB of storage, with 15 extra email addresses, and 3 custom domains. The Advanced tier includes 500GB of storage, 30 extra email addresses, and 10 custom domains. The final tier is the Unlimited which provides 1,000GB of storage, unlimited custom domains, email templates, custom branding, and a login widget to place on your website.

2. Fastmail

Fastmail is a great alternative to Protonmail because of its focus on security, but unlike other offerings, it doesn’t provide a free option. Fastmail’s approach to emailing will feel familiar to users of Gmail which can be beneficial with its ease of use. Their offerings focus on the personal and business side of email use with three tiers on each side.

The personal tiers range from 50GB, 100GB, and 300GB of storage in total. This means if you go with a tier that lets you have multiple addresses, you’ll be sharing that storage. The first tier offers a single inbox and the second tier offers a second inbox, perfect for you and someone else. The third tier is a family-style plan with up to six email boxes. With the mid and upper tiers, you can create private and shared calendars between you and your family.

The business tiers offer storage per user of 5GB, 50GB, and 100GB. Each tier offers personal support, shared calendars, and a shared company address book. The mid and upper tier offers access to schedule send and snooze features.

3. Mailbox.org

Mailbox.org is another German-based mail service with a focus on 100% renewable energy. They offer products to personal users, businesses, and the public sector. They offer a free 30-day trial to get started for those who need to try it before they buy it. One difference with Mailbox.org is the inclusion of cloud-based storage.

For personal email accounts, storage tiers provide 2GB, 10GB, and 20GB. The mid and upper tier get access to 5GB and 50GB of cloud storage, respectively. An interesting feature that Mailbox.org provides that other companies don’t is access to disposable email addresses and video chat.

Business customers can enjoy the same storage and cloud storage features at the same capacity as personal customers. The one exception is the highest tier which receives a 25GB storage limit. Video conferencing is an additional benefit of the mid and high tier of the business plans and the ability to pay for more storage incrementally makes them a great option to consider.

4. Mailfence

Mailfence puts emphasis on security by ensuring that their SSL/TLS certificate doesn’t include any US certification. The steps they’ve taken ensure that even they can’t read your emails or even open the private key used to open your email. They even provide the ability to send private emails that can only be opened by PGP encryption keys.

With their three personal tiers, the first one is free, you get 500MB, 5GB, and 10GB of email storage. They offer document storage separate from the email at 500MB, 6GB, and 30GB. Their free tier only gets access to a knowledge base for support but the paid plans get email support. 

The three business plans also see the split storage of email and documents. The tiers for email storage are 10GB, 30GB, and 60GB. For documents, the storage is 30GB, 48GB, and 165GB. For business support, the middle and upper tiers get email and telephone support, whereas the lower tier receives just email support.

Responding to Emails More Quickly

A secure email service makes it easy to go about your day without having to worry that your data is being exposed or landing somewhere it shouldn’t. While Protonmail is one option, there are other alternatives that may be a better fit for what you need.

The best email solution for you is about more than just security. Superhuman is the most productive email experience ever made, and it works seamlessly with Gmail and Outlook. Superhuman also offers end-to-end encryption, both at rest and in transit, so that you can rest assured that your data is protected. 

Use our Split Inbox feature to organize your inbox and focus on what matters most. Fly through your inbox with Superhuman AI. Get started now to empty your inbox and save 4 hours per week, every single week.