CounterMail vs ProtonMail: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for CounterMail and ProtonMail side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, ProtonMail leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
CounterMail
Secure and anonymous email service with strong OpenPGP encryption and unique privacy features.
Best for you if:
- • You want high level of privacy and anonymity due to diskless servers and no IP logging
ProtonMail
Secure email that protects your privacy with end-to-end encryption and zero-access encryption.
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
| At a Glance | ProtonMail | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Not published | Free plan, paid from $6.99/user/mo, billed monthly Mail Essentials plan |
Category | Email Security | Communication Email |
Rating | n/a | 3.3/5 Trustpilot 2.2 · G2 4.6 1,495 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Watch out for | n/a | Storage upgrades not explicitly priced |
Choose CounterMail or ProtonMail?
Choose CounterMail if
- You want high level of privacy and anonymity due to diskless servers and no IP logging
- You want strong OpenPGP encryption protects email content effectively
- You work in email, not communication
Choose ProtonMail if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want best privacy email
- You want end-to-end encryption
- You work in communication, not email
In-Depth Analysis
CounterMail
Secure and anonymous email service with strong OpenPGP encryption and unique privacy features.
Strengths
- Pro: High level of privacy and anonymity due to diskless servers and no IP logging.
- Pro: Strong OpenPGP encryption protects email content effectively.
- Pro: Unique MITM protection adds an extra layer of security beyond standard SSL.
- Pro: User-friendly interface despite advanced security features.
- Pro: Servers located in Sweden, known for strong privacy laws.
Weaknesses
- Con: No free tier available, which might deter some users.
- Con: BTC payment disabled for new accounts (as of June 2024), limiting payment options for privacy-conscious users.
Key features
ProtonMail
Secure email that protects your privacy with end-to-end encryption and zero-access encryption.
ProtonMail's pricing is fair, offering a generous free tier and competitive paid options.
Watch out
Storage upgrades not explicitly priced
Strengths
- Pro: Best privacy email
- Pro: End-to-end encryption
- Pro: Swiss jurisdiction
- Pro: Good apps
- Pro: No tracking
Weaknesses
- Con: Limited free tier
- Con: No IMAP free
- Con: Search limited
- Con: Less integrations
- Con: Encryption has limits
Key features
Plans and prices: CounterMail vs ProtonMail
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CounterMail | No plan prices on file | countermail.com |
| ProtonMail |
| now.getproton.me/iydcwevz9lm5-o3hzta read Nov 2, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on CounterMail pricing and ProtonMail pricing.
Key Takeaways
CounterMail
- Choose if you want secure and anonymous email service with strong OpenPGP encryption and unique privacy features
ProtonMail
- Has a free plan
What the data shows
On the data below, ProtonMail leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Only ProtonMail has a published user rating (3.3/5 from 1,495 reviews); CounterMail has none we can show.
- ProtonMail starts at $6.99/user/mo, billed monthly; CounterMail has no public paid plan price on file.
- Only ProtonMail has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do CounterMail and ProtonMail compare in 2026?
On the data below, ProtonMail leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Only ProtonMail has a published user rating (3.3/5 from 1,495 reviews); CounterMail has none we can show. ProtonMail starts at $6.99/user/mo, billed monthly; CounterMail has no public paid plan price on file. Only ProtonMail has a free plan.
What are CounterMail and ProtonMail used for?
CounterMail: Secure and anonymous email service with strong OpenPGP encryption and unique privacy features. ProtonMail: Secure email that protects your privacy with end-to-end encryption and zero-access encryption.
What does CounterMail cost vs ProtonMail?
CounterMail has no public paid-plan price on file. ProtonMail's cheapest paid plan is Mail Essentials at $6.99/user/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 2, 2026.
What's the main difference between CounterMail and ProtonMail?
CounterMail's main strength: high level of privacy and anonymity due to diskless servers and no IP logging. ProtonMail's main strength: best privacy email.