Nowadays, anyone can easily obtain a free email address from providers such as Google (Gmail), Apple (icloud.com), Microsoft (Outlook), and Yahoo!.
In addition to these, there are many other free email services available. Among them, Proton Mail stands out by offering end-to-end encryption for email communication, making it highly recommended for users who prioritize privacy and security.
According to the official FAQ on the Proton Mail website, the service is promoted as being “more secure than Gmail.”
It is available through dedicated applications for all major operating systems (Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android) as well as via web browsers. Beyond its security features, it also includes a wide range of functions designed to streamline and improve the efficiency of everyday email management.
In this article, we will explain the key features of Proton Mail and how to use it.
Table of Contents
- What Is Proton Mail?
- Getting Started with Proton Mail
- Free and Paid Plans
- How to Use Proton Mail with Your Current Email App
- Secure Email Services Other Than Proton Mail
- Conclusion
What Is Proton Mail?
Proton Mail is an open-source, secure email service provided by Proton AG in Switzerland. Unlike services subject to the authority of the United States or the European Union, it operates under Switzerland’s strong privacy protection laws. Since its launch in 2014, Proton Mail has been used by more than 100 million people worldwide.
Proton Mail ensures security by automatically encrypting email communication between users with end-to-end encryption based on PGP. It employs a combination of public-key and symmetric-key cryptography, allowing encrypted communication even with non–Proton Mail users who also utilize PGP. In addition, the service supports two-factor authentication, further strengthening account security.
Beyond its focus on privacy, Proton Mail also offers a variety of features and functions that help users process and manage their emails more efficiently, such as those outlined below.
- No advertisements, even with the free plan
- Available via web browsers and dedicated apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android
- Blocks email trackers
- Blocks phishing emails
- Password protection for emails
- One-click unsubscription from mailing lists
- Scheduled email sending
- Snooze for incoming emails
Proton Mail also offers a free plan, so we encourage you to give it a try.
A Full Range of Services Beyond Email
In addition to Proton Mail, Proton AG also provides other secure services. All of them are available free of charge, so if you are interested, be sure to take a look.
By subscribing to a paid Proton Mail plan, you can also gain access to the following services.
- Proton Calendar
A secure calendar with end-to-end encryption. - Proton Drive
Encrypted and secure cloud storage, with up to 5 GB available on the free plan. - Proton VPN
An encrypted virtual private network that protects your internet connection. - Proton Pass
Secure password management with encryption, featuring efficient sign-ins through autofill and the ability to generate strong passwords. - Proton Wallet
A wallet application for managing and sending/receiving cryptocurrencies. - Proton Authenticator
A two-factor authentication app that securely manages and generates login codes. - Proton Meet
Encrypted video conferencing.
Getting Started with Proton Mail
When you create an account with Proton Mail, you can use an @proton.me email address free of charge.
Email can be sent and received through web browsers on all major operating systems (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux) or via dedicated applications.
Creating an Account
To use Proton Mail, you first need to create an account.
You can create an account either on the official Proton Mail website or after installing the dedicated app for your operating system.
Once your account is created through the website or an app, you can sign in with the same credentials on any other device and access your emails in the same environment.
Creating an Account from a Web Browser
When creating a free account from the official Proton Mail website, click “Create a free account” or “Get Proton Mail”. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to choose a plan and complete your account setup.
After completing the account setup, you will be able to send and receive emails from a screen like the one shown below.
Creating an Account from the dedicated apps
You can also install the app for each OS (iOS / Android / Windows / macOS / Linux) and create an account.
Please download the app for your preferred OS from the Proton Mail official website download page. Alternatively, you can search for “Proton Mail” in App Store or Google Play Store.
Easy Migration from Other Services
By using the Proton Easy Switch feature, you can easily import emails, calendars, contacts, and more from services you have previously used, such as Google (Gmail), into Proton.
After signing in at https://mail.proton.me/ in your web browser, go to Settings (gear icon in the top right corner) > All settings > Import via Easy Switch to start the import process.
On the Import via Easy Switch screen, you can also set up automatic forwarding of emails received in other services, such as Gmail, to Proton Mail.
For detailed instructions on importing with Proton Easy Switch, please refer to the following page.
Free and Paid Plans
Proton Mail offers not only a free plan but also three paid plans (Mail Plus / Proton Unlimited / Proton Duo).
The free plan, Proton Free, has certain limitations such as a maximum of 150 messages per day and 1 GB of storage.
With the paid plans, you can enjoy unlimited daily messages, increased storage, and access to other Proton services (Proton Calendar, Proton VPN, Proton Drive, Proton Pass, Proton Wallet) in addition to Proton Mail.
There is also a Proton Duo plan available, which can be used by multiple users.
The following outlines the main features of each individual plan, but for more detailed information, please refer to the official Proton Mail website.
Proton Free
- Free
- 1 GB storage
- 1 user
- 1 email address
- 150 messages per day
Mail Plus
- €3.99/month
- 15 GB storage
- 1 user
- 10 extra email addresses
- 1 custom email domain
- Other Supported Service
Proton Calendar
Proton Unlimited
- €9.99/month
- 500 GB storage
- 1 user
- 15 extra email addresses
- 3 custom email domain
- Unlimited Folders / Labels / Filters
- Other Supported Services
Proton Calendar / Proton VPN / Proton Drive / Proton Pass / Proton Wallet
Proton Duo
- €14.99/month
- 1 TB storage
- 2 Up to 2 users
- 30 extra email addresses
- 3 custom email domain
- Unlimited Folders / Labels / Filters
- Other Supported Services
Proton Calendar / Proton VPN / Proton Drive / Proton Pass / Proton Wallet
Proton Mail for Business
The above is a plan for individual users, but a business plan, Proton Mail for Business, is also available for use by multiple users within an organization.
How to Use Proton Mail with Your Current Email App
By installing the Proton Mail Bridge application, you can use your encrypted Proton Mail account with your preferred email clients, such as Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird, and Apple Mail.
Currently, Proton Mail Bridge is only available for desktop PCs running Windows, macOS, or Linux. On iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, Proton Mail cannot be used with other email apps.
For more details about Proton Mail Bridge, please refer to the following page.
Secure Email Services Other Than Proton Mail
There are several other secure email services with encryption besides Proton Mail. While Proton Mail is highly recommended, some of these services also offer free plans or free trial periods, so feel free to try them if you are interested.
- Tuta Mail (formerly Tutanota)
An email service based in Germany. Offers a free plan. Includes calendar and contact management features. It claims to provide stronger encryption than other email services such as Proton Mail, and even its free plan is said to be highly functional. - Mailfence
An email service based in Belgium. Offers a free plan. Includes features such as calendar, documents, and contact management. - mailbox.org
A secure email service based in Germany. Does not offer a free plan, but a 30-day free trial is available. Includes cloud storage, an online office suite (documents, spreadsheets, presentations), and video conferencing. - Zoho Mail
A service that provides business-oriented email and office suite solutions. Offers a free plan.
Conclusion
In recent years, with the widespread use of services like LINE, opportunities for individuals to use email have decreased. Nevertheless, situations such as online shopping still require an email address.
The free plan of Proton Mail has certain limitations, such as a maximum of 150 messages per day and 1 GB of storage, but it does not display ads and is more than sufficient for personal use. It can also be used as a secondary email address.
With the paid plans, various restrictions are lifted, and additional features become available. Moreover, you gain access to other Proton services beyond Proton Mail, such as calendar, cloud storage, VPN, password manager, and wallet, making it a cost-effective option.
For those who value privacy, this is an ideal email service. Start by creating a free account and try it out for yourself.
