10 Best Private and Secure Email Services for 2025

It is past time for everyone to learn about secure email services. Unless you are using a secure email service, your email messages and attachments are probably being scanned by the large corporations that provide your free email service. Gmail, Yahoo, and others have been criticized for not fully respecting the privacy of your inbox. These providers have been found in the past to engage in practices that can compromise user privacy. For example:

• Google is adding ever more advertisements into your Gmail Promotions section. We’re also seeing reports that some people are finding ads interspersed between messages within their Gmail Inbox.
• Gmail was caught giving third parties full access to user emails and also tracking all of your purchases.
• Advertisers have been allowed to scan Yahoo and AOL accounts to “identify and segment potential customers by picking up on contextual buying signals, and past purchases.”
• Yahoo was previously caught scanning emails in real time for US surveillance agencies.

Many major email services, despite investing heavily in security, remain attractive targets for hackers and are not immune to breaches. For instance, thousands of Microsoft Exchange email servers have been compromised in the past, and services like Hotmail, AOL Mail, Yahoo Mail, and Mail.ru have also faced hacking incidents. Getting your email exposed like this can be a disaster, and recovering from them a time-consuming nightmare.

Opting for a smaller, lesser-known secure email service can offer better protection. Hackers targeting major services like Microsoft Outlook are less likely to focus on smaller, secure email providers.

If you want to ensure your emails and attachments remain secure and private, it's time to switch to a secure email service. This guide profiles the top secure email providers for 2025, helping you choose the best one for your needs.

What is the best secure email service in 2025?

With so many different types of users, there is no single “best secure email” service that will be the top choice for everyone. While some may prioritize maximum security and strong encryption, others may want convenience and simplicity with user-friendly apps for all devices.

With that being said, here are our top recommendations:

1. Proton Mail – Best all-around secure email service based in Switzerland [40% off coupon]
2. StartMail – Private email hosted in The Netherlands with unlimited aliases [50% off coupon]
3. Mailfence – Secure email for professionals and teams
4. Tuta Mail – Secure Email for Any Device
5. Mailbox.org – Affordable private German email service
6. Posteo – Reliable anonymous email service
7. Runbox – Private email in Norway
8. Zoho Mail – Secure business email service
9. Kolab Now – Swiss email, compliant with GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI
10. Soverin – Basic private email service

We also have a guide on encrypted email services here.

Factors to consider when choosing the best secure email service for your needs

Here are just a few factors to consider when switching to a secure email provider:

• Jurisdiction – Where is the service located? Where is your data physically stored?
• PGP support – Some secure email providers support PGP, while others use alternative types of encryption.
• Import feature – Can you import your existing emails and contacts?
• Email apps – Many secure email services cannot be used with third-party email clients, but some also offer dedicated apps.
• Encryption – Are the emails end-to-end encrypted in transit? Are emails and attachments encrypted at rest?
• External communication – Can the service communicate securely with people who use a different service? How?
• Features – Features to consider are contacts, calendars, file storage, inbox search, collaboration tools, and support for DAV services.
• Security – What are the provider's safety standards and policies?
• Privacy – How does the service protect your privacy? What data is being collected, for how long, and why?
• Threat model – How much privacy and security do you need and which service best fits those needs?

Here are the secure email services we think you should consider in 2025.

1. Proton Mail – Best all-around secure email service

Proton Mail is a popular secure email service under Swiss jurisdiction. It uses the PGP encryption standards for email and stores all messages and attachments encrypted at rest on Swiss servers. Proton Mail simplifies the process of sending an encrypted message, making it accessible even to users without technical expertise.

Proton Mail can send “self-destructing messages”, and uses address verification to eliminate certain kinds of attacks that could compromise your security. It is an easy-to-use service with an attractive user interface as you can see below:

Additional Proton Mail features and related tools:

• Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Web browsers. Also IMAP and SMTP.
• End-to-end encryption: E2E encryption managed automatically by Proton Mail.
• Email aliases: Keep your real email private by using aliases.
• Custom domains: Manage your other email accounts within Proton Mail.
• Two-factor authentication (2FA): Boost your security by requiring a password and an authenticator app code.
• Automatic spam filter: Automatic spam filtering.
• Tracking protection: Blocks tracking pixels and hides external images.
• Calendar: Integrates with the encrypted Proton Calendar app.
• IP address protection: Keeps your IP address out of messages.
• Auto-reply: Automatically reply to incoming messages.
• Messaging non-users – Sends encrypted, password-protected messages to non-users for secure communication.

• Proton Mail Bridge – A connection to other email services.
• Proton Drive – Cloud storage for messages and mores.
• Proton VPN – Keep your IP address secret from even Proton Mail.

See all Proton Mail features here >

Proton mail encryption

With end-to-end and zero-access encryption, even Proton Mail cannot read your messages. However, Proton Mail does not encrypt the subject lines of emails or certain metadata. This is a limitation of the PGP standard that Proton Mail uses.

Overall Proton Mail is a well-regarded email provider and should be a great secure email option for most users.

See our Proton Mail review for more info.

---

---

2. StartMail – Private email hosted in The Netherlands with unlimited aliases

StartMail is a well-established secure email provider founded in 2013, based in the Netherlands. Known for its robust security features, StartMail supports two-factor authentication and offers end-to-end PGP encryption, ensuring your emails are protected from threats.

A standout feature is its offering of unlimited aliases, allowing you to create multiple email identities under one account for enhanced privacy. You can set time limits for these aliases, ranging from single-use to indefinite, providing flexibility and control over your email privacy.

This secure email provider relies on your web browser or IMAP-capable third-party email apps since it does not have any native desktop or mobile apps. With end-to-end PGP encryption, StartMail ensures that your emails are secure from the moment you hit send until they reach the recipient.

StartMail is based in the Netherlands, which is a good jurisdiction for privacy. In addition, StartMail aims to keep as little data as possible to run their operations. Unlike most other secure email providers, StartMail handles encryption server-side, rather than in the browser – see their white paper explaining why.

StartMail employs PGP encryption to secure emails at rest on their Dutch servers. This ensures that your messages are protected from unauthorized access. The service is designed to be user-friendly, allowing you to encrypt and sign your emails with just a single click, providing an extra layer of security and peace of mind.

NOTE: StartMail shares a history with StartPage, a private search engine. However, there is a notable difference in that StartPage is now owned by a US company called System1, whereas StartMail remains entirely independent, operating in The Netherlands, with no ties to System1.

StartMail’s strong encryption features and unlimited email aliases make it a great option for moving sensitive data by email. If you’re looking for a secure email provider that offers robust encryption and the convenience of managing multiple email identities, StartMail could be the perfect fit for you.

Compare StartMail to our top recommendation, Proton Mail, in this extensive comparison article.

See our StartMail review for more info.

---

---

3. Mailfence – Secure email for professionals and teams

Mailfence is a fully-featured secure email provider offering calendar, contacts, file storage, and PGP encryption. It is based in Belgium, which is a solid privacy jurisdiction with strict data protection laws.

The core of Mailfence’s security is its powerful end-to-end encryption and digital signatures using OpenPGP. OpenPGP, or Open Pretty Good Privacy, is a non-proprietary protocol based on the original PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) software. While the names may be different, you get the same level of privacy that the original PGP offers.

While many secure email services sacrifice features and functionality for security, you can have it all with Mailfence. This makes Mailfence a great alternative to full email and productivity suites, such as G Suite or Office 365.

Mailfence supports all standard protocols like POP, IMAP, SMTP, WebDav. It also integrates a calendar, document storage, workspaces, and a chat which enable real time sharing of data and group collaboration, making it an ideal choice for professionals and teams. The user-friendly interface of Mailfence ensures that even users who are not tech-savvy can navigate the platform with ease.

While Mailfence does log IP addresses and some other data, the logging is part of Mailfence’s commitment to transparency. This information is only kept for a short period and is primarily used to maintain the quality and safety of the service.

Another privacy feature is that Mailfence accepts cryptocurrency payments, which eliminates the need to share the kind of personal information a credit card transaction requires.

Mailfence has native mobile apps for both iOS and Android platforms. This is in addition to the Progressive Web App (PWA) that was already available.

When I did an in-depth test for the Mailfence review, I found it to be very intuitive, sporting a slick interface with a tons of features. Its performance was smooth and I didn’t encounter any bugs. But, in case you experience any problems, you can always turn to their responsive email and phone support.

Note: Due to financial requirements imposed by Google, Mailfence has dropped support for POP/IMAP connections to Gmail servers.

See our Mailfence review for more info.

---

---

4. Tuta Mail – Private and secure email in Germany

Tuta Mail (formerly Tutanota) is a Germany-based secure email service run by a small team of privacy enthusiasts, with no outside investors or owners. Although it is not as well known as Proton Mail, Tuta is a serious player in the secure email space. Its hybrid encryption system overcomes some of the drawbacks of PGP, and your privacy rights are protected by the GDPR and other pro-privacy EU regulations.

Note: Tuta is in the process of rolling out TutaCrypt, their quantum-safe encryption algorithm. The company believes that not even a quantum computer can break TutaCrypt. You can learn more about TutaCrypt here.

Tuta's encryption system

All messages in your inbox, contacts, and calendar are encrypted at rest on servers in Germany. For sending encrypted emails with Tuta, you have two options:

1. When emailing another Tuta user, all of your emails are automatically encrypted (asymmetric encryption).
2. When sending an email to someone with another email provider, the user receives a link to the message and a password key for encryption/decryption purposes (symmetric encryption).Tuta Mail establishes an external mailbox for that particular contact, where all the exchanged messages are securely encrypted. This proves to be quite useful, especially if you are using it for business.

While Tuta uses high-end encryption and is arguably one of the most secure email providers anywhere, there are also some downsides. This includes no support for PGP, IMAP, POP, or SMTP. Additionally, you cannot import existing emails into your encrypted Tuta inbox.

To make up for the lack of IMAP support, Tuta Mail has built open source desktop clients for Windows, Linux, and macOS. They also have offline mode, so you can open your emails, calendars, and contacts even when not having access to the web.

All in all, Tuta Mail is a transparent, high-security email provider that just may take your privacy to a whole other level. just may take your privacy to a whole other level.

Website: https://Tuta.com

See our Tuta Mail review for more info.

---

---

5. Mailbox.org – Affordable private German email service

Mailbox.org is a German secure email service that you should definitely consider. It is among the top secure email service providers and delivers strong security for your email. It also functions as an all-inclusive productivity suite, similar to Microsoft 365. It offers a huge lineup of features, including Mail, Calendar, Address Book, Drive (cloud storage), Tasks, Portal, Text, Spreadsheet, Presentation, and Webchat. Impressively, Mailbox.org still has a user-friendly interface and sharp design.

When looking for a highly secure email provider, you often have to decide between features and security. With Mailbox.org, you can arguably get the best of both worlds. From the security and encryption side, it offers full PGP support and can easily encrypt all your data at rest on their secure servers in Germany. You can also use Mailbox.org with mobile apps and third-party email clients.

Lastly, Mailbox.org is very affordable, with basic plans starting at only €1 per month. You can pick up a free 30-day trial if you want to test-drive this privacy-focused email provider.

Note: Mailbox.org does receive requests for information from “public authorities.” In 2024, they received 83 requests for information, and ultimately rejected 25 of them. They responded to the rest of them as required by law.

Website: https://Mailbox.org/

Check out our Mailbox.org review for more details.

---

---

6. Posteo – Privacy-focused email in Germany

Posteo is another German email service that prioritizes privacy and security, similar to Mailbox.org. Both offer comprehensive email solutions with PGP encryption and are priced similarly. However, Posteo stands out in a few key areas:

• It does not support custom domains.
• There are no trial or free versions, which is somewhat offset by its reasonable pricing.

Posteo provides secure emails using AES-256 bit encryption and multi-factor authentication, ensuring enhanced protection for its users. This highly secure email service is dedicated to maintaining user privacy by automatically stripping IP addresses from emails and keeping no logs. Their strong encryption standards emphasize security and privacy.

Posteo supports anonymous registration and payments, even allowing cash transactions to maintain privacy. This mirrors trends seen with VPN services. If you choose to pay digitally, they separate account details from payment info for added privacy.

Overall, Posteo is an affordable, customizable, and secure option for budget-conscious users.

Website: https://Posteo.de/

See the Posteo review for more info.

---

---

7. Runbox – Private and sustainable email in Norway

Runbox is a Norwegian secure email service provider with over 20 years of experience. Based in Norway, known for its strong privacy laws, Runbox hosts its servers in secure data centers powered by renewable hydropower. It offers secure file sharing with encryption and access controls.

A notable feature is the provision of 100 alias email addresses per account, along with full support for SMTP, POP, and IMAP protocols, allowing compatibility with third-party email clients. Although Runbox 7 has been in beta for years, progress seems slow.

Unlike some secure email providers, Runbox does not offer built-in encryption for the entire mailbox. While PGP can be used, it is not fully integrated. The service also lacks a built-in calendar, which may be added with the release of Version 7.

Runbox offers a 30-day free trial and provides easy guides for importing existing emails. They also have a 60-day money-back guarantee, allowing users to evaluate the service before committing to a subscription.

Website: https://Runbox.com

Check out our Runbox review here.

---

---

8. Zoho Mail – Secure and feature-rich email for businesses

Zoho Mail is a business email service that features a built-in AI, and ensures secure access, data protection, with the utmost privacy for your encrypted emails. Zoho Mail offers a range of features designed to enhance productivity and collaboration. Users can take advantage of integrated tools such as Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Notes, and Bookmarks, all accessible within the inbox. The platform also includes Zoho Streams, a social media-style collaboration tool that allows team members to share emails, comment, and tag each other, streamlining communication and project management.

Zoho Mail also protects sensitive data through robust security measures, making it ideal for fields like journalism, healthcare, and activism.

In terms of security, Zoho Mail provides robust measures to protect user data. Emails are encrypted both at rest and in transit, ensuring that sensitive information remains confidential. The service supports S/MIME for end-to-end encryption and offers two-factor authentication (TFA) to add an extra layer of account security. Additionally, Zoho Mail’s data centers are equipped with top-notch security and surveillance, safeguarding against unauthorized access and physical breaches.

Zoho Mail offers a Forever Free Plan that includes up to five users, each with 5GB of storage, and a 25MB attachment limit. This plan provides web access and free mobile apps, making it suitable for small businesses or personal use. For organizations requiring more advanced features, Zoho Mail provides premium plans with additional storage, support for custom domains, and enhanced security options.

While Zoho Mail excels in providing a comprehensive suite of tools and robust security features, it is primarily tailored for business use. Individuals seeking a personal email service with advanced security might find Zoho Mail’s offerings more than sufficient, but the platform truly shines when utilized for professional purposes.

Website: https://Zoho.com/mail/

---

---

9. Kolab Now – Fully-featured Swiss email

Based in	Switzerland
Storage	5 GB+
Price	$5.47/mo.
Free Tier	30 day trial
Website	KolabNow.com

Based in Switzerland, Kolab Now is a private email service offering lots of features and full email suite functionality. A Kolab Now subscription includes email, contacts, calendars, scheduling, collaboration/sharing tools, and cloud file storage. Right now they are also running a public beta of their voice and video conferencing system. All of these features make Kolab Now an excellent choice for business users, teams, and privacy-focused individuals.

The service does have a stylish and intuitive interface that makes it easy to organize yourself. There's also a strong cross-platform support, so you can use Kolab Now on your computers, tablets, and smartphones. It can work in tandem with other email services, like Apple mail, Outlook, and Thunderbird.

While Kolab Now does offer numerous features and support for all major operating systems and devices, it does not provide the highest levels of security. End-to-end encryption for emails is available via Perfect Forward Secrecy and they are stored encrypted at rest.

The price is also on the higher end, especially if you want access to all features and unlock more storage. However, for those wanting a feature-rich email suite hosted in Switzerland, Kolab Now may be a good fit.

Website: https://KolabNow.com

---

---

10. Soverin – Basic private email in the Netherlands

Soverin offers a straightforward private email service, focusing on user privacy and data protection. With end-to-end encryption and a user-friendly interface, Soverin is an excellent choice for users who want a simple and secure email service. Moreover, Soverin's user interface is designed to be intuitive, making it easy for both tech-savvy users and those less familiar with digital technologies to navigate their email accounts with ease.

NOTE: Soverin does not store email encrypted at rest. They rely on their policies, the security of their servers, and the pro-privacy laws of their jurisdiction to provide your email security.

Website: https://Soverin.net

---

---

Jurisdictions matter

The jurisdiction in which your email service is located can seriously impact the security of your data. Depending on your threat model, this could be a major consideration. For an in-depth overview of jurisdiction and privacy, you may want to read our article on the Five/9/14 Eyes surveillance alliances.

Here are some reasons why you should pay attention to jurisdiction.

Surveillance in the United States (leading member of the Five Eyes)

US tech companies can be compelled to allow government access to their servers for extensive surveillance on communications and stored data, as seen in the PRISM surveillance program. These requests often come with gag orders that prevent the company from informing users (see also National Security Letters).

Instances have occurred where American email service providers were forced to surrender user information. Notably, Lavabit chose to shut down rather than disclose user data. Similarly, Riseup was compelled to provide data to law enforcement.

State of privacy in Europe

European politicians continue to spew rationalizations for eliminating encryption and privacy in general across the planet. Tech companies and secure email services such as Tuta Mail and Mailfence are advocating for user privacy, but the future of encryption (end freedom itself) in Europe remains uncertain.

All email providers must comply with the law

Jurisdictions are important because all email providers must comply with legal requirements in the country they are operating in. As mentioned earlier, Proton Mail has been forced to spy on its users due to valid Swiss court orders, as they disclose in their transparency report. Using a good VPN service with your email service is becoming mandatory in much of the world.

Want secure email? Pay for it.

The “free” email model is flawed, as it monetizes users' data for ads. In contrast, we recommend privacy-focused, secure, ad-free email services. While some offer limited free plans, upgrading to a paid plan provides more storage and features. Supporting these ethical services helps them grow and maintain a business model that respects user privacy.

Secure email shortcomings and PGP flaws

Most secure email services mentioned in this guide use PGP for end-to-end encryption. PGP, which stands for Pretty Good Privacy was invented back in 1991 by Phil Zimmermann.

PGP Flaws – While PGP is considered a trustworthy, secure encryption method, there have been some flaws in implementing PGP that have made headlines recently. And lets not forget about EFAIL vulnerabilities.

While the news did attract lots of attention, the “flaws” were mainly tied to the incorrect implementation of PGP by third parties. To my knowledge, this did not affect the secure email providers mentioned in this guide.

Limited Use – A significant challenge with secure email adoption is the complexity of PGP key management, encryption, and decryption processes. However, there are solutions, and encrypted email usage is on the rise. Many secure email providers simplify this by automating encryption. For instance, Tuta Mail employs built-in AES encryption that automatically secures emails between Tuta Mail users, covering headers, subject lines, bodies, and attachments.

Vulnerabilities – Even when using a secure browser, there are still weak points to browser-based email clients. If you want to maximize your email security, consider using a service that provides desktop and mobile apps for the devices you wish to use, instead of relying on browser-based email.

Secure email vs secure messaging apps

Depending on your threat model, it may make sense to use secure messaging apps instead of email. Messaging apps do not have all of the vulnerabilities of email services.

We have tested many different services and compiled a list of our favorites. Here are a few reviews of some of the best apps we've tested:

• Signal review
• Wire review
• Wickr review
• Threema review
• Keybase review
• Session review
• Telegram review

Encrypted messaging apps generally offer a higher level of security than email services. Plus, they are much easier to use than PGP email encryption. Encrypted messaging apps are also convenient for back-and-forth conversations, document sharing, and collaboration with others. For more information, check out our roundup guide on the best secure messaging apps.

Use a premium VPN with email

Email services can inadvertently reveal your IP address and location. While some secure email providers mask IP addresses and metadata, others may log user IPs due to legal obligations, as seen in cases like Proton Mail. For more privacy, use a quality VPN that will hide your IP address from everyone. we recommend ExpressVPN and NordVPN, as well as Surfshark and Proton VPN.

A VPN boosts your online privacy and security. It does so by encrypting your internet traffic and hiding your real IP address and location before passing your traffic to a VPN server. Leading providers like NordVPN and Surfshark have vast global server networks, ensuring availability everywhere.

At the time of publication, our top VPN recommendations right now are NordVPN, which also comes with a 72% off coupon here. For the latest VPN rankings and tips, see our guide on the best VPN services.

Benefits of Open Source in Secure Email Providers

When selecting secure email providers, choosing open-source software provides key benefits. Open-source software enhances transparency by allowing users and developers to review the source code, ensuring security and trust. This scrutiny helps quickly identify and fix security vulnerabilities, leading to regular updates.

Additionally, open-source software benefits from community-driven development. This collaborative effort speeds up software improvements, resulting in more reliable and secure solutions as issues are promptly addressed.

In conclusion, choosing a secure email provider with open-source software enhances security and reliability by allowing public review and verification of encryption protocols and privacy measures.

Conclusion: The most secure email services in 2025

Regardless of your circumstances, switching to a secure and private email service will improve your privacy. Major email providers like Gmail, Yahoo, and Microsoft don't always prioritize user privacy, so you have to look after it yourself. Paying for one of these secure email services means you won't be paying with your privacy by using “freebies”.

Not sure which service is best for you? Give Proton Mail a try. Use the discount coupon below to get the best possible deal.

Have you used one of these secure email providers? Feel free to leave your feedback/review of the service below.

This secure email guide was last updated on March 3, 2025.