Mailfence vs Proton: 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 Mailfence and Proton side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a 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:
Mailfence
Secure and private email made in Belgium
Best for you if:
- • You want secure email
Proton
End-to-end encrypted suite for total digital privacy
Best for you if:
- • You want strong emphasis on privacy and security with end-to-end encryption across all services
| At a Glance | Mailfence | Proton |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $2.50/mo, billed monthly Base plan | Free plan |
Category | Communication Email | Security Email |
Rating | 3.8/5 Trustpilot 3.2 · Capterra 4.3 · G2 4.7 184 reviews | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Limited storage on lower paid tiers | Higher storage needs will require upgrades |
Choose Mailfence or Proton?
Choose Mailfence if
- You want secure email
- You want end-to-end encryption
- You work in communication, not security
Choose Proton if
- You want strong emphasis on privacy and security with end-to-end encryption across all services
- You want comprehensive suite of tools under one account, simplifying digital security management
- You work in security, not communication
In-Depth Analysis
Mailfence
Secure and private email made in Belgium
Mailfence's pricing is quite expensive, especially for the features offered at the Base ($2.5/month) and Entry ($7.5/month) tiers.
Watch out
Limited storage on lower paid tiers
Strengths
- Pro: Secure email
- Pro: End-to-end encryption
- Pro: Calendar included
- Pro: Belgium based
- Pro: Good privacy
Weaknesses
- Con: UI dated
- Con: Limited storage
- Con: Less features
- Con: Smaller provider
- Con: Mobile apps basic
Key features
Proton
End-to-end encrypted suite for total digital privacy
Proton's pricing is incredibly generous, as all listed tiers currently show as $0.00/month, which is likely a placeholder or promotional offer.
Watch out
Higher storage needs will require upgrades
Strengths
- Pro: Strong emphasis on privacy and security with end-to-end encryption across all services.
- Pro: Comprehensive suite of tools under one account, simplifying digital security management.
- Pro: Open-source and independently audited, fostering transparency and trust.
- Pro: Based in Switzerland, benefiting from strong privacy laws.
- Pro: Offers free tiers for core services, making privacy accessible.
Weaknesses
- Con: Bulk promotional or programmatic email sending is not supported.
- Con: Advanced features and larger storage capacities require paid subscriptions.
Key features
Plans and prices: Mailfence vs Proton
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mailfence |
| mailfence.com read Oct 18, 2026 |
| Proton |
| now.getproton.me/82i2xemp2ffo read Oct 22, 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 Mailfence pricing and Proton pricing.
Key Takeaways
Mailfence
- Choose if you want secure and private email made in Belgium
Proton
- Choose if you want end-to-end encrypted suite for total digital privacy
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- Only Mailfence has a published user rating (3.8/5 from 184 reviews); Proton has none we can show.
- Mailfence starts at $2.50/mo, billed monthly; Proton has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have 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 Mailfence and Proton compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. Only Mailfence has a published user rating (3.8/5 from 184 reviews); Proton has none we can show. Mailfence starts at $2.50/mo, billed monthly; Proton has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Mailfence and Proton used for?
Mailfence: Secure and private email made in Belgium. Proton: End-to-end encrypted suite for total digital privacy.
What does Mailfence cost vs Proton?
Mailfence's cheapest paid plan is Base at $2.50/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Proton has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 22, 2026.
What's the main difference between Mailfence and Proton?
Mailfence's main strength: secure email. Proton's main strength: strong emphasis on privacy and security with end-to-end encryption across all services.