StartMail vs Proton Mail 2025: Which Service is Right for You?

In the realm of secure email services, choosing the right provider can be a daunting task. StartMail and Proton Mail are two prominent contenders, each offering unique features tailored to enhance user privacy and security. So who comes out on top in a StartMail vs Proton Mail competition?

Free email services like Gmail prioritize accessibility. But they can also give themselves access to your data. In a world where it seems everything is tracking you, it is refreshing to know that StartMail and Proton Mail both focus on user privacy and security, offering features that enhance protection against data tracking and intrusion.

We recommend both email services, recognizing their strengths in providing secure email communications. However, our testing indicates that Proton Mail, alongside Proton VPN and other integrated Proton products, offers an overall superior experience.

Feature comparison

Both Proton Mail and StartMail offer similar services aimed at enhancing user privacy and security. Here's a summary of the key features of each:

Key Features	StartMail	Proton Mail
Encrypted email for users and non-users	Yes	Yes
Email Aliases	Yes	Yes
Self-destructing Aliases	Yes	No
Contact Manager	Yes	Yes
Calendar	No	Yes
Spam and Tracker Protection	Yes	Yes
Auto-replies	Yes	Yes

Now let's look at each service's features in more depth.

StartMail overview

StartMail provides a range of features designed to enhance privacy and security for its users. Here are some key features:

• Supported platforms: StartMail does not provide any native mobile or desktop apps. It works in your Web browser and supports IMAP so that you can connect your account to various third-party apps.

• End-to-end encryption: StartMail uses end-to-end (E2E) PGP encryption to secure emails, which requires everyone involved to manage their own public and private keys for encrypted communications.

• Email aliases: StartMail offers unlimited aliases so you can create temporary or permanent email addresses.

• Self-destructing burner aliases: These aliases automatically delete after one hour, eliminating the need to manually dispose of temporary addresses.

• Custom domains: Stay organized by handling all your own domains within StartMail.

• Private spam filter: The private spam filter learns from your interactions, improving its accuracy over time to block unwanted emails more effectively.

• Tracking protection: StartMail blocks tracking pixels and hides external images, protecting you from online threats.

• IP address protection: StartMail protects your privacy by hiding your IP address in the emails you send.

• Two-factor authentication (2FA): StartMail prevents unauthorized access to your account with support for the widely used Time-based One-Time Password (TOTP) authentication method.

• Auto-reply: Let's StartMail automatically send “out of office” notifications or another standard message in response to incoming messages.

These features make StartMail a secure email service option for users who prioritize privacy and straightforward email management.

Proton Mail overview

Proton Mail includes a more comprehensive set of features than StartMail. Key features include:

• Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Web browsers. Also IMAP and SMTP support.

• End-to-end encryption: Proton Mail provides E2E encryption that doesn’t require users to manage public or private encryption keys.

• Email aliases: Generate and manage email aliases within Proton Mail or with the Proton Pass browser extension.

• Custom domains: Manage your other email accounts within Proton Mail.

• User-friendly interface: The intuitive and polished interface makes it easy for you to manage your messages.

• Secure cloud storage with Proton Drive: Offers encrypted cloud storage so you can store and manage files securely.

• Two-factor authentication (2FA): Enhances account security by requiring both a password and a code from an authenticator app.

• Automatic spam filter: Automatic spam filtering with Spam, Allow, and Block lists.

• Tracking protection: Proton Mail blocks tracking pixels and hides external images.

• Calendar functionality: Proton Mail integrates with the encrypted Proton Calendar so you can easily keep track of events and emailed invitations.

• IP address protection: Your IP address doesn't appear in the emails you send.

• Auto-reply: Automatically sends replies to incoming messages.

• Proton VPN integration: Provides secure, private web browsing, plus an additional layer of privacy for your email. Proton VPN is one of our favorite VPN services.

• Responsive customer support: Offers comprehensive support channels, including live chat, email, and a dedicated help desk, ensuring timely assistance for users.

These features make Proton Mail a well-rounded and secure email provider, appealing to users looking for comprehensive security and privacy tools.

Crucial differences

Comparing the above StartMail vs Proton Mail features, we found several areas where StartMail lagged. Specifically, StartMail has:

• Limited platform support: StartMail does not have native desktop or mobile apps, while Proton Mail provides a full set of those.

Platforms	StartMail	Proton Mail
Windows	No	Yes
macOS	No	Yes
Linux	No	Yes
iOS	No	Yes
Android	No	Yes
Web browser	Yes	Yes
IMAP	Yes	Yes*
SMTP	No	Yes*
POP3	No	No

• No file storage: StartMail does not provide a cloud storage capability for files. Proton Mail integrates with Proton Drive.

• No calendar: StartMail does not have an integrated calendar feature. Proton Mail integrates with Proton Calendar.

• No password manager: StartMail does not have an integrated password manager. Proton Mail integrates with Proton Pass.

• Complex key management: StartMail’s PGP encryption requires you and the people you communicate with to manage public and private encryption keys. Proton Mail just needs each participant in the conversation to use a previously agreed password to both encrypt and decrypt messages.

One place where Proton Mail lags StartMail is in aliases. StartMail’s Burner Aliases automatically self-destruct after one hour, while you must manually delete any Proton Mail aliases you want to use temporarily.

Encryption methods

Email security is crucial in today’s digital world, and both StartMail and Proton Mail offer strong encryption solutions with distinct approaches. StartMail has two ways of sending encrypted messages. For StartMail users and others whose email app supports PGP encryption, StartMail uses PGP encryption with automatic key generation, using a shared private key to unlock encrypted messages and ensure user privacy.

They also offer password-protected messages, which are less secure but ideal when communicating with people whose email app does not support PGP.

Proton Mail also supports password protected and PGP-encrypted messages. Messages sent to other Proton Mail users are automatically encrypted while in transit, and decrypted in the recipient's Inbox.

When sending an encrypted message to someone who is not using Proton Mail, the default is a password-protected message. The recipient receives an email message that can only be opened using a previously shared password. Entering the password takes the recipient to a secure Proton Mail Mailbox where they can read the message and reply through an encrypted connection.

Custom domains

Businesses and professionals value custom domains for maintaining a branded email presence. Both StartMail and Proton Mail support custom domains. While this capability can be very useful, setting it up requires a fairly complicated series of DNS configuration steps. Happily, both services provide support resources for setting up custom domains.

Ease of use

StartMail’s user interface is functional, although not particularly interesting to look at. It includes some nice features, such as the ability to designate certain contacts as Favorites. While not flashy, it will get the job done.

Contrast that to the Proton Mail user interface. Proton Mail's interface is functional and provides easy access to features. It is also more visually interesting and polished. You also have easy access to the integrated Proton apps through the icon circled in red on the image below.

Sending email with StartMail

Let's take a quick look at what it is like to send email using StartMail.

1. Launch StartMail and navigate to the Inbox. Once there, click the Compose button (circled in red in the image below). This opens the Compose window.

2. Select the email address you wish to use from the dropdown box in the From: field. You can instead click the Create alias link to create an alias to use for this message. Fill in the To: and Subject: fields as well.

3. Create your message using the tools in the message box.
4. Before sending your message, decide whether you want to Sign the message using your PGP passphrase, Encrypt the message with a shared password, or send the message without any protection.
5. Click the Send button (circled in red below) to send your message.

Reading Email in StartMail

Reading email in StartMail is even easier. With the Inbox (or any other StartMail folder) selected, click the message you want to read in the message pane. The message will open and look something like this:

You can click the Compose button to reply to the email, or use any of the icons at the top of the message to manage it.

Now let's see what it is like sending and receiving email in Proton Mail.

Sending email with Proton Mail

The process of sending email using Proton Mail is very similar to that of StartMail:

1. Launch Proton Mail and navigate to the Inbox. Once there, click the New message button (circled in red in the image below). This opens the New message window.

2. Select the email address you wish to use by clicking the down arrow in the From field. Fill in the To and Subject fields as well.

3. Create your message using the tools in the New message box.
4. If you are going to send the message to someone who is not a Proton Mail user, decide whether or not you want to encrypt the message and click the External encryption button if you do. By default, this will send the message using password protection, as shown here:

5. Click the Send button (circled in red below) to send your message. Note that you can click the down arrow on the right side of the button to open the Schedule send window where you can control when your message will be sent.

Reading Email in Proton Mail

Reading email in Proton Mail is basically the same as for StartMail. With the Inbox (or any other Proton Mail folder) selected, click a message in the message pane. The message will open and look something like this:

As we have just seen, both products have useful, well-designed interfaces that make it easy to use the services.

Account setup

Setting up a StartMail email account involves selecting a display name, email address, password, payment details, and a recovery email. The process is straightforward and does not require a phone number for verification. During the setup process, StartMail will display a one-time recovery code. Make sure to record this as it is the only way you can recover your account if you lose your password.

Similarly, when creating a Proton Mail account, users select a username, password, display name, payment details, and an optional recovery phone number or email. Proton Mail further bolsters security by offering the option to enable two-factor authentication, adding an extra layer of protection to the account setup.

Security and privacy

Features	StartMail	Proton Mail
E2E Encryption	Yes, PGP, Password	Yes, Password, PGP*
2FA	TOTP	TOTP, U2F, FIDO2
Spam Filter	Yes	Yes
Hides IP Address	Yes	Yes
Blocks Tracking Pixels	Yes	Yes

Security and privacy are the bedrock of any secure email provider. StartMail and Proton Mail both offer comprehensive security features to protect sensitive data.

End-to-end encryption (E2EE)

End-to-end (E2E) encryption is critical for ensuring that only the intended recipient can read an email.

StartMail uses E2E PGP encryption, which requires you to manage public and private encryption keys for encrypted messages. If you send a message to someone who doesn't use StartMail, and you have previously imported the recipient's PGP key, StartMail will send the message using PGP. However, if it doesn't find a PGP key for the recipient, it will send the message using a password you define.

Proton Mail also implements end-to-end encryption. But it simplifies the process. When exchanging email with another Proton Mail user, it automatically uses E2E encryption without requiring you to do anything. If you send a message to someone who isn't using Proton Mail, the app will send it encrypted and password-protected. It also has an option to use standard PGP keys if necessary.

Two-factor authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to email accounts. StartMail uses Time-based One-Time Passwords (TOTPs) compatible with various authenticator apps like Google Authenticator and Microsoft Authenticator. Proton Mail also supports TOTP 2FA, as well as U2F and FIDO2 security keys.

Anti-spam and tracking protection

StartMail offers a private spam filter that learns from user interactions, improving its accuracy over time. It also blocks tracking pixels by hiding external images and warns users against clicking external links, showing the full web address to enhance security. Additionally, StartMail hides the user’s IP address in sent emails to protect their privacy further.

Proton Mail provides similar anti-spam and tracking protection features, including blocking tracking pixels and strong spam filters. To hide your IP address, you can activate your free Proton VPN account and connect to a VPN server in another location before sending your message.

Both services excel in fighting spam and ensuring secure email communications, but StartMail’s emphasis on user-controlled privacy settings gives it a slight edge in this area.

Pricing and plans

Understanding the cost and available plans is essential when choosing an email service. StartMail and Proton Mail offer different pricing models, catering to various user needs.

Subscription plans

The subscription plans for the two services differ significantly, but both services offer you a price break if you use our discount coupon.

StartMail pricing

StartMail's best pricing for both their Personal plan and their Business plan comes with their one-year subscriptions and our discount coupons. Here's what those deals look like:

Plan	First year with our coupon	Renews at
Personal	$2.50/month (billed at $29.94/year)*	$4.99/month (billed at $59.88/year)
Business	$3.50/month (billed at $41.94/year)	$6.99/month (billed at $83.88/year)

Note: StartMail offers a 7-day free trial for the Personal plan.

Proton Mail pricing

Proton Mail's best deals come when you sign up for their 24-month plans. Here's what the pricing looks like for their individual plans when you use our Proton Mail discount coupon.

Individual Plan	24 months with our coupon	Renews at
Mail Plus	$3.49/month (billed at $83.76 for 24 months)	$3.49/month (billed at $83.76 for 24 months)
Proton Unlimited	$7.99/month (billed at $191.76 for 24 months)	$7.99/month (billed at $191.76 for 24 months)

Proton Mail offers several subscription plans, including Proton Duo, a 2-person plan; Proton Family, a 6-person plan; and several business plans.

Note: Instead of a limited-time free trial, Proton Mail has a free plan with very limited capabilities. In most cases, you will want to choose one of several paid plans with more advanced features and capabilities.

Proton Mail's wide range of plans lets you get the exact level of service you need, while StartMail's limited choices make choosing a plan easy.

Payment options

	StartMail	Proton Mail
Credit / Debit Cards	Yes	Yes
PayPal	Yes	Yes
Bitcoin / Crypto	Yes*	Yes
Bank Transfers	No	Yes
Cash	No	Yes

StartMail supports a variety of payment options, including credit and debit cards, PayPal, and cryptocurrencies. Note that if you wish to pay this way, you must email StartMail support for instructions on how to do so before signing up for an account.

In addition to the above, Proton Mail also accepts bank transfers and even cash!

As you can see, both services allow you to choose the payment method that best fits your privacy and convenience preferences.

Refund policies

Although it is not clear from looking at their website, StartMail customer support says, “if StartMail is not a fit for you, we will grant a refund upon request.” Proton Mail offers a pro-rated refund during the first 30 days of your subscription. That means they will refund the unused portion of your subscription within the first 30 days.

Customer support

StartMail provides email support and a contact form on their website. Proton Mail, however, offers a more comprehensive range of support channels, including live chat and a dedicated help desk.

• Support channels: Proton Mail offers a variety of support channels, including live chat, email, and a dedicated help desk. In contrast, StartMail does not offer live chat support, which can limit its responsiveness.

• Response times: StartMail aims to respond to customer inquiries within 24 hours. However, actual response times may vary based on the volume of inquiries. Proton Mail typically responds faster, often within a few hours.

• Resource availability: Proton Mail features an FAQ section as well as a community forum where users can discuss issues and share solutions. StartMail offers an FAQ section but does not have a community forum.

Additional features and capabilities

Beyond the core features, additional features and capabilities can significantly enhance the usability of an email service. StartMail and Proton Mail offer various extra features that cater to different user needs.

Integration with other services

If you are looking to maximize your online security and privacy, the ability to integrate your email app with other capabilities is essential. Both Proton Mail and StartMail can connect to other email services, allowing you to manage your various email accounts from a single app. As noted earlier, Proton Mail also integrates with several other security and privacy services from its parent company, Proton. StartMail does not integrate with non-email services.

Email and file storage

Plan	Storage
StartMail Personal	20GB
StartMail Business	30GB
Proton Mail Plus	15GB*
Proton Unlimited	500GB*

Proton Mail and StartMail both need space to store email messages and attached files. The amount of storage space included with your account is an important consideration. StartMail personal accounts include a 20GB mailbox, while StartMail business accounts have a 30GB mailbox. Things are a little less straightforward with Proton Mail.

Proton Mail accounts share storage space with Proton Calendar and Proton Drive. You need to take this into consideration if you plan to use these services as well. Keeping that in mind, a Proton Mail Plus plan gives you 15GB of storage, while a Proton Unlimited account gives you 500GB of total storage.

Migration and account recovery

Both services provide tools and guides for switching to them from a different email service. Both also provide tools for account recovery.

User ratings

User feedback provides valuable insights into the real-world performance and satisfaction levels of email services. To get this kind of info, we look at the ratings of each service in the Google Play store and the US Apple App store. We also look for ratings on the G2 and Capterra professional review sites.

Proton Mail receives positive feedback in Google Play and the Apple App stores. It also receives good reviews on G2 and Capterra:

Proton Mail Rated on:	Rating	# of Reviews
Google Play	4.6 stars	70.3k
Apple App Store US	4.6 stars	27.7k
Capterra	4.4 stars	128
G2	4.6 stars	115

Unfortunately, this approach didn't work for StartMail. Since the service does not have any mobile apps, Google Play and the Apple App store have no ratings. G2 and Capterra also did not have any StartMail reviews, probably due to the relatively small user base of StartMail.

Choosing the right encrypted email service

When it comes to choosing the right encrypted email service, several factors can guide your decision. Here are the categories we evaluated and the respective winners:

Category	Winner
Feature comparison	Tie
Ease of use	Proton Mail
Security and privacy	Tie
Pricing and plans	Tie
Customer support	Proton Mail
Additional features and capabilities	Proton Mail
User ratings	Proton Mail

Choosing between StartMail and Proton Mail can be tough. Both are high-quality secure email providers, and which one you choose depends on your specific needs and preferences.

Proton Mail, with its comprehensive feature set, user-friendly interface, integration with other Proton security and privacy products, and responsive support, provides a more polished and integrated experience. For most people it is the best option in this StartMail vs Proton Mail challenge.

But if Proton Mail doesn't suit your needs for some reason, StartMail is a great alternative. It offers some great email alias features, straightforward custom domain management, and affordable pricing. However, it lacks some advanced features and its interface is not as visually appealing as that of Proton Mail.

Both services are high-quality secure email providers, and whichever you choose, you can be confident in the protection of your sensitive data.

StartMail vs Proton Mail FAQ

This StartMail vs Proton Mail comparison was last updated on March 2, 2025.