Proton Mail vs Fastmail
Both are alternatives to Gmail. Here's how they stack up — verified facts, no spin.
Also searched as Fastmail vs Proton Mail — same comparison, one verdict.
Proton Mail
TOP PICKEnd-to-end encrypted, open-source, Swiss — the privacy default.
Proton Mail is the most mature encrypted email provider, with over 100 million users and open-source apps on every platform. Mail is end-to-end and zero-access encrypted, it's based in Switzerland under strong privacy law, and it supports OpenPGP so mail with other PGP users is automatically end-to-end encrypted. It has grown into a genuine Gmail replacement with Calendar, Drive, Pass, and VPN in one account, plus a functional free tier.
Fastmail
Fast, reliable, standards-based mail — the productivity pick.
Fastmail is a long-running independent email host (Australian) built for speed, reliability, and standards support rather than encryption. It doesn't offer end-to-end encryption, but it doesn't scan your mail, sell your data, or show ads — you're the paying customer, not the product. Excellent custom-domain support, great apps, and best-in-class deliverability make it the honest pick when you want to leave Gmail for independence and quality without the constraints E2E encryption imposes.
Side by side
| Proton Mail | Fastmail | |
|---|---|---|
| Sovereignty Score | 84 | 45 |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No |
| Local-first | No | No |
| License | GPL-3.0 (apps) | Proprietary |
| Pricing | Free (1GB); paid Mail Plus ~$4/mo; bundled Proton Unlimited adds Drive, VPN, and Pass | From about $5/user/month; 30-day free trial; custom domains included |
Proton Mail is Macrostack's recommended Gmail alternative, so it's our pick here.
Proton Mail
Strengths
- +End-to-end, zero-access encryption with OpenPGP support
- +Open-source apps, independently audited, Swiss jurisdiction
- +Free tier; custom domains on paid plans
- +Part of a full privacy suite (Calendar, Drive, VPN, Pass)
Trade-offs
- −Encryption to non-Proton, non-PGP contacts needs password-protected mode
- −A hosted service you don't self-host
- −Free-tier storage is modest (1GB)
Fastmail
Strengths
- +Fast and reliable, with excellent IMAP/JMAP standards support
- +No ads and no data selling — you're the customer
- +Superb custom-domain and multi-identity handling
Trade-offs
- −No end-to-end encryption
- −Closed-source, commercial service
- −Australian jurisdiction (Five Eyes) may matter to some
Related alternative guides
Facts verified 2026-07-14. Licenses and pricing change — spotted something out of date? That's a correction we want.