Proton Mail Pricing: Plans, Features & What You Pay

The free tier gives you a functional encrypted email account with no credit card required. You get one Proton Mail address, 500MB of storage, and basic encryption features. This plan works well for individuals testing encrypted email or those with minimal email needs. You can send and receive messages with full end-to-end encryption, and your account includes protection against common threats. The free plan has limitations: you cannot create custom email addresses or use advanced features like calendar integration or VPN access. However, it's a legitimate way to experience Proton's security without spending money.

The Plus plan is the entry-level paid option, typically costing around $4.99 per month when billed annually. This tier includes 15GB of storage, support for up to 10 email addresses, and access to Proton Calendar and Proton Drive. You can create custom domain email addresses and benefit from priority customer support. The Plus plan suits small business owners, freelancers, or privacy-conscious individuals who need more storage and multiple email identities. You also get advanced security features like two-factor authentication and the ability to set expiring emails that automatically delete after a set time.

Professional plans target businesses and organizations requiring team collaboration. These tiers offer significantly more storage, typically 200GB or more, and support for multiple team members with separate accounts. Pricing scales based on the number of users and features needed. Business plans include advanced administrative controls, audit logs, and integration with existing business tools. Organizations can manage multiple domains, set user permissions, and monitor account activity. These plans are ideal for companies prioritizing data security and compliance requirements. Custom pricing is available for enterprise customers with specific needs.

Gmail offers free email with 15GB of storage but relies on ad-supported business models and data collection practices. Proton Mail's free tier provides less storage but emphasizes privacy with end-to-end encryption. Gmail's paid workspace plans start around $6 per month per user and include business features. Proton Mail Plus at $4.99 monthly is cheaper than Gmail Workspace but serves different use cases. Gmail excels for business collaboration and integration with Google services, while Proton Mail prioritizes privacy and security. The choice depends on whether you prioritize cost savings, privacy protection, or ecosystem integration.

Free Proton Mail accounts come with one standard Proton Mail address. Paid plans unlock the ability to create multiple addresses and use custom domains. The Plus plan allows up to 10 email addresses, useful for separating work, personal, and project-specific communications. You can set up aliases that forward to your main inbox or create entirely separate identities. Custom domain support means you can use your own domain name with Proton Mail's encryption infrastructure. This feature appeals to small business owners and professionals who want branded email addresses without managing their own mail servers.

Other encrypted email services include Tutanota, which offers a free tier with 1GB storage and paid plans starting around $1.20 monthly. Startmail provides encrypted email with a focus on simplicity, typically costing $5.99 monthly. Fastmail offers privacy-focused email at $3 to $9 monthly depending on features. Each alternative has different storage limits, encryption approaches, and pricing structures. Proton Mail remains competitive by bundling email with calendar, drive, and VPN services in higher tiers. Comparing these services requires evaluating storage needs, encryption standards, additional features, and long-term pricing stability.

Proton Mail offers discounts for annual billing compared to month-to-month subscriptions. Annual plans typically cost 20-30% less per month than paying monthly. For example, Plus plan annual billing might be $4.99 monthly when paid yearly, versus $7.99 if paying monthly. This pricing structure encourages longer commitments and helps Proton forecast revenue. Many users find annual billing worthwhile if they're confident about their email provider choice. You can change plans or cancel during your subscription period, though refund policies vary. Checking Proton's current promotional offers occasionally reveals discounts for new subscribers.