ProtonMail vs Startmail
A detailed comparison to help you choose between ProtonMail and Startmail.
ProtonMail End-to-end encrypted email | Startmail Private email from the creators of Startpage. | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6 (20000 reviews) | 4.0 (532 reviews) |
| Pricing Model | freemium | paid |
| Starting Price | From $0/mo | From $3.67/mo |
| Best For | Best encrypted email | Best for users seeking privacy and security tools |
| Free Tier | ||
| API Access | ||
| Team Features | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Tags | — | — |
ProtonMail
Pros
- + Automatic E2EE between Proton Mail users
- + Zero-access encryption for stored mailbox data
- + OpenPGP support for external encrypted email
- + Password-protected encrypted emails to anyone
- + Open-source client apps with published audits
- + Inbox tracking protection blocks pixels, hides IP
Cons
- - Not end-to-end encrypted to non-Proton by default
- - Metadata and headers aren’t fully encrypted
- - Can be compelled to log IP under Swiss orders
- - Free accounts may be deleted after 12 months inactive
Startmail
Pros
- + IMAP support for standard email clients
- + Unlimited aliases, including custom-domain aliases
- + Password-protected encrypted messages for any recipient
- + OpenPGP support for encryption and signing
- + Header stripping removes IP and client details
Cons
- - No POP3 support
- - Can’t send encrypted mail from aliases
- - Terms say cancellation doesn’t guarantee refunds
- - Some indexing updates only while logged in
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