Free Proton Mail alternatives

Top Email Clients & Providers like Proton Mail

Updated Oct 12, 2026

The most popular alternative to Proton Mail is Tuta, which has a free version. Other great alternatives to Proton Mail are Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, Zoho Mail, and Thunderbird.

Most alternatives to Proton Mail are in the Email Clients & Providers category, compared here by price, platform and features.

Proton Mail alternatives

All Free Open source

7 apps

Tuta
4.7(3.7K) · App Store
Tuta, formerly Tutanota, is an open-source encrypted email and calendar service based in Germany. It encrypts mailbox contents end to end, including subject lines and contacts, and uses post-quantum cryptography for new accounts. Because it relies on its own encryption, it works through Tuta's apps rather than IMAP clients. A free plan exists, and paid plans add custom domains and more aliases.
7 Tuta alternatives
Pros
Encrypts subjects and contacts, not just message bodies
Post-quantum cryptography for new accounts
Open source apps and a free plan, with servers in Germany
Cons
No IMAP support, so you must use Tuta’s own apps
Free plan is limited in storage and features
Fewer integrations and features than mainstream providers
Cost / License
FreemiumOpen source
Categories
Email Clients & Providers
Platforms
Web Windows Mac Linux iPhone Android
Features
Calendar view Custom email domain Email aliases End-to-end encryption GDPR compliant
Visit website More about Tuta
Gmail
4.7(2.4M) · App Store
Gmail is Google's email service, used through the web and mobile apps or any IMAP client. It offers automatic spam filtering, labels and inbox categories, fast search, scheduled sending and close links with Calendar, Drive and Meet. Personal accounts are free and share storage with Drive and Photos, while Google Workspace adds custom domains and admin tools; Gemini can draft and summarize emails.
12 Gmail alternatives
Pros
Excellent spam filtering and fast search
Tight links with Google Calendar, Drive and Meet
Free personal accounts on web, mobile and any IMAP client
Cons
Free storage is shared with Drive and Photos and fills up quickly
Google’s data practices raise privacy concerns
Custom domains require a paid Google Workspace plan
Cost / License
FreemiumProprietary
Categories
Email Clients & Providers
Platforms
Web iPhone Android
Features
AI assistant Custom email domain Offline mode Send later Two-factor authentication
Visit website More about Gmail
Microsoft Outlook
4.8(9.3M) · App Store
Microsoft Outlook is an email and calendar app available on Windows, Mac, mobile and the web, used with Outlook.com, Exchange and Microsoft 365 accounts as well as Gmail and other IMAP services. It combines mail with calendars, contacts and tasks, supports shared mailboxes and scheduled sending, and integrates with Teams for meetings. Copilot can draft replies and summarize threads on eligible plans.
12 Microsoft Outlook alternatives
Pros
Email, calendar, contacts and tasks in one app
Shared mailboxes and Teams integration for businesses
Available on Windows, Mac, mobile and the web
Cons
The move from classic to new Outlook on Windows has been disruptive
Free Outlook.com accounts show ads
Copilot features require an eligible paid plan
Cost / License
FreemiumProprietary
Categories
Email Clients & Providers Scheduling & Calendars
Platforms
Web Windows Mac iPhone Android
Features
AI assistant Calendar view Integrations Offline mode Send later Shared inbox
Visit website More about Microsoft Outlook
Zoho Mail
4.6(8K) · App Store
Zoho Mail is an ad-free business email service from Zoho that hosts mailboxes on your own domain, with calendar, contacts, tasks and notes included. Admins get a control panel for users, security policies and retention, and the service integrates with Zoho's office, CRM and collaboration apps through Zoho Workplace. A free plan is available for small teams, with paid plans adding more storage and features.
8 Zoho Mail alternatives
Pros
Ad-free business email on your own domain, with a free plan
Admin console for users, security policies and retention
Integrates with Zoho’s office, CRM and collaboration apps
Cons
Free plan lacks IMAP and POP access for desktop clients
Interface feels less polished than Gmail or Outlook
Cost / License
FreemiumProprietary
Categories
Email Clients & Providers
Platforms
Web iPhone Android
Features
Ad-free Calendar view Custom email domain Integrations Two-factor authentication
Visit website More about Zoho Mail
Thunderbird
Thunderbird is a free and open-source email client for Windows, macOS and Linux, with an Android app based on K-9 Mail. It manages multiple accounts in a unified inbox and includes a calendar, address book, chat and built-in OpenPGP encryption. Add-ons and themes customize it extensively, and it is developed by MZLA Technologies, a Mozilla Foundation subsidiary funded by user donations.
9 Thunderbird alternatives
Pros
Free and open source, funded by donations rather than ads
Built-in OpenPGP encryption, calendar and address book
Highly customizable with add-ons and themes
Cons
Interface feels busier than minimalist modern clients
Getting the most out of it takes some setup and add-ons
Cost / License
FreeOpen source
Categories
Email Clients & Providers
Platforms
Windows Mac Linux Android
Features
Ad-free Calendar view End-to-end encryption Offline mode Plugins & extensions Unified inbox
Visit website More about Thunderbird
Spark
4.6(82.7K) · App Store
Spark is an email client from Readdle that works with Gmail, Outlook, iCloud and other IMAP accounts on Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android. Its smart inbox separates personal mail, notifications and newsletters, and it supports send later, snoozing, a gatekeeper for new senders and AI writing help. Teams can share email threads, comment on them privately and draft replies together.
11 Spark alternatives
Pros
Smart inbox separates personal mail, notifications and newsletters
Shared threads and private comments for team email
Gatekeeper screens new senders before they reach the inbox
Cons
Sync relies on Readdle’s servers, which raises privacy questions
AI and team features require a paid plan
Cost / License
FreemiumProprietary
Categories
Email Clients & Providers
Platforms
Windows Mac iPhone Android
Features
AI assistant Send later Team collaboration Unified inbox
Visit website More about Spark
Apple Mail
Apple Mail is the email app included with macOS, iOS and iPadOS, supporting iCloud, Gmail, Exchange and other IMAP accounts in a unified inbox. It offers send later, follow-up reminders, smart search and Mail Privacy Protection, which hides your IP address and stops senders from seeing when you open messages. With iCloud+, Hide My Email creates random addresses that forward to your inbox.
9 Apple Mail alternatives
Pros
Free and preinstalled on Mac, iPhone and iPad
Mail Privacy Protection hides your IP and blocks open tracking
Unified inbox for iCloud, Gmail, Exchange and IMAP accounts
Cons
Only available on Apple devices
Few power-user features or extensions compared with dedicated clients
Hide My Email requires an iCloud+ subscription
Cost / License
FreeProprietary
Categories
Email Clients & Providers
Platforms
Mac iPhone
Features
Ad-free Email aliases Send later Tracker blocking Unified inbox
Visit website More about Apple Mail

Proton Mail vs its alternatives at a glance

Pricing, platforms and the key features of Proton Mail, compared with its most popular alternatives.

Proton Mail vs its alternatives at a glance
App	Pricing	Platforms
Proton Mail	FreemiumOpen source	Web, Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android
Tuta	FreemiumOpen source	Web, Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android
Gmail	Freemium	Web, iPhone, Android
Microsoft Outlook	Freemium	Web, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android
Zoho Mail	Freemium	Web, iPhone, Android
Thunderbird	FreeOpen source	Windows, Mac, Linux, Android

Proton Mail alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Proton Mail?

The most popular alternative to Proton Mail is Tuta: Encrypted email and calendar from Germany. Other great alternatives are Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, Zoho Mail, and Thunderbird.