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Gmail vs Proton Mail

Free and everywhere versus private by design. Gmail gives 15 GB with ads and standard IMAP; Proton's free plan is 1 GB without ads, and Proton can't read your stored mail.

Which one to pick

Gmail logoPick Gmail if

  • You want the most free storage (15 GB, shared with Drive and Photos)
  • You want your free account to work in any mail app over IMAP
All Gmail facts

Proton Mail logoPick Proton Mail if

  • You want a provider that can't read your stored mail
  • You don't want ads, and don't want to give a phone number to sign up
  • You'll pay $47.88 a year for 15 GB and your own domain (Mail Plus)
All Proton Mail facts

Where they differ most

Cheapest paid plan

Gmail
$23.88/yr, Google One Basic (100 GB) (12 × monthly)
Proton Mail
$47.88/yr, Mail Plus

Cheapest with your own domain

Gmail
$84/yr, Google Workspace Business Starter
Proton Mail
$47.88/yr, Mail Plus

Provider can't read stored mail

Gmail
NoNo
Proton Mail
YesYes

Works in Apple Mail, Outlook, Thunderbird

Gmail
Yes, on every planYes, on every plan
Proton Mail
Only through the Bridge appOnly through the Bridge app

Free plan

Gmail
15 GB; Shared with Drive and Photos; ads in Promotions and Social tabs; sending limits apply (number not stated)
Proton Mail
1 GB; 1 address; 150 messages a day; no IMAP/SMTP (Bridge is paid only); no ads; no phone number needed

Ads on the free plan

Gmail
YesYes
Proton Mail
NoNo

Every fact, side by side

Open a row to see notes and sources. Highlighted rows differ.

Gmail logoGmail
Proton Mail logoProton Mail

Price

Who can read your mail

Who you're trusting

Apps and access

Addresses and features

Moving in and out

Sources (20)