Proton Mail vs Gmail
Gmail is the inbox most people already have, free and tied to their Google account. Proton Mail comes from a Swiss company that makes its money from subscriptions and designs its encryption so that it cannot open what you store.
Where we earn from a click, it says so under the button.
Proton Mail
Encrypted email without ads, which Proton itself cannot read
Gmail
Google's free inbox, with an AI setting worth switching off.
Prices last checked on
| Feature | Proton Mail | Gmail |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 4.4 / 5 | n/a |
| Price | From €3.99/mo | From €1.99/mo |
| Free plan | ||
| Best for | Anyone leaving an ad-funded inbox | Anyone comparing Gmail to encrypted email |
| Category | Private AI and encrypted apps | Private AI and encrypted apps |
| Provider | Proton AG | Google LLC |
| Visit Proton Mail | Visit Gmail |
Our verdict
If you want your mail kept away from the company that stores it, Proton Mail is the better choice. Its zero-access encryption locks Proton itself out of your messages, free plan included, and no ads are built on what you write.
Gmail encrypts mail in transit with TLS, but the setup where "not even Google" can open a message is client-side encryption, offered to work or school accounts. Gmail also shows ads chosen from your activity while signed in to Google, although Google says it does not read your messages to pick them.
Gmail does come out ahead on free storage, since a Google account holds 15 GB across Gmail, Drive and Photos while Proton Free stops at 1 GB. The paid step up, Mail Plus, is billed at €47.88 once a year, which works out to €3.99 a month.
“A sensible pick if you want email that is never scanned for ads. Encryption covers every plan, the free one included, and the AI writing help stays off until you switch it on. The catch: the free tier's 1 GB and single address fill up fast.”Editorial team, on Proton Mail
Frequently asked questions
Does Google read my Gmail emails?
Not to show you ads, according to Google: "We will not scan or read your Gmail messages to show you ads." Your mail content does feed Gmail's smart features, such as Smart Compose, Smart Reply, the sorting into Primary, Social and Promotions, and package-tracking cards. In the European Economic Area, the UK, Switzerland and Japan those features start switched off. Elsewhere, check Settings, See all settings, General, Smart features.
Is Proton Mail more private than Gmail?
Yes, for the content of your mail. Proton uses zero-access and end-to-end encryption, so the company cannot read your inbox, and its income comes from subscriptions instead of ads. Gmail protects messages in transit with TLS and keeps its ad system away from your messages, Google says, but you still see ads selected from your activity while signed in to Google.
How much does Proton Mail cost compared to Gmail?
Both start free. Proton Free gives you 1 GB and one address; every Google account gets up to 15 GB shared across Gmail, Drive and Photos. Proton Mail Plus costs €4.99 month to month, or €47.88 a year, which saves you €12. Paying Google gets you more room, not more privacy: Google One Basic, from €1.99 a month, adds storage and nothing else.
Can I keep Gmail and still protect my privacy?
Partly, yes. Gmail spots phishing emails automatically and either shows a warning or moves them to Spam. Turn off smart features if you do not want your mail content used for them, and switch off Ads Personalization in Google's Ads Settings; you will still see ads, just not based on your account data. For a sensitive message, confidential mode adds an expiry date and a passcode.