Tutanota
Open-source encrypted email and calendar service.
Alternatives · 2026
Alternatives to ProtonMail
End-to-end encrypted email service from the Proton team.
5 hand-curated alternatives from MintedSaaS's directory. See the ProtonMail listing →
ProtonMail is an encrypted email service built by the privacy-focused Proton team. It's aimed at users who want their email encrypted by default, with servers in Switzerland and a focus on zero-access architecture—meaning Proton staff can't read your messages. The service sits in the encrypted email category alongside competitors like Tutanota, Hey, and Superhuman, each targeting slightly different buyer profiles based on encryption guarantees, pricing models, and interface design choices.
It's typically used by privacy-conscious professionals, journalists, activists, and regular users who distrust mainstream email providers. The workflows it suits include sending sensitive documents without reliance on third-party encryption tools, communicating across jurisdictions where email surveillance is a concern, and maintaining inbox control without ads or algorithmic sorting. A buyer reaches for ProtonMail when they view encrypted email not as an occasional need but as a baseline requirement for all correspondence.
What we offer that competes
Spark
Smart email client with team inbox and shared drafts.
Hey
Opinionated email service from the makers of Basecamp.
Superhuman
Premium keyboard-driven email client built for speed.
What to look for
- Whether the service encrypts your message before leaving your device or only encrypts in transit to the provider's servers.
- Whether you can use the service's free tier indefinitely or if it's restricted to a trial period with a time limit.
- Whether the provider's source code is open and auditable by security researchers or closed and trust-based.
- Whether you can export or download your full email archive in an open format like MBOX or EML.
- Whether the service supports sending encrypted emails to non-users (with a password-protected link) or only to other account holders.
- Whether the pricing model is subscription-based, one-time, or freemium versus the cost and contract terms of ProtonMail.
FAQ
What are the best alternatives to ProtonMail?
Tutanota, Hey, Missive, Spark, and Superhuman each compete with ProtonMail, but for different reasons. Tutanota offers stronger encryption at no cost; Hey charges a flat fee with a design-first approach; Superhuman is an AI-augmented client for power users; Spark prioritizes calendar and task integration; Missive blends email with team chat. Your choice depends on whether encryption, affordability, feature set, or team workflow matters most.
Are there free alternatives to ProtonMail?
Yes. Tutanota offers a genuinely free encrypted email account with no trial period, paid upgrades optional. ProtonMail's free tier exists but with sending limits. Most other alternatives—Hey, Superhuman, Spark—charge from the start or require invitation. If cost is your primary constraint, Tutanota is the clearest free encrypted option.
Which email platform should I choose if privacy is my main concern?
Both ProtonMail and Tutanota use end-to-end encryption by default and log minimal data. Tutanota encrypts metadata (subject lines, recipient addresses) while ProtonMail doesn't. ProtonMail has stronger brand recognition and ecosystem integration; Tutanota is newer and fully open-source. Neither choice is wrong if encryption matters most—the gap between them is smaller than the gap between either and standard Gmail.
Do encrypted email alternatives work with my calendar and contacts?
ProtonMail integrates calendar and contacts natively. Tutanota also includes calendar and a basic address book. Hey, Spark, and Superhuman focus on email-only or email-plus-calendar but don't encrypt contacts cross-platform. Missive handles shared team inboxes but not encrypted calendar sync. If you need the full encrypted suite in one app, ProtonMail and Tutanota are your most complete options.
Can I use encrypted email alternatives on my phone and desktop?
All five alternatives have iOS and Android apps plus web access. ProtonMail, Tutanota, Spark, and Superhuman also offer Mac and Windows desktop clients or Electron wrappers. Missive's mobile apps are lighter-weight. Check the specific platforms you use most—all of them cover the major bases, but desktop client quality varies.
What should I know about switching from ProtonMail?
You can't port your encrypted email history to another provider because it's encrypted in ProtonMail's vault. You'll need to export what you can (non-encrypted messages, contacts) or leave the archive behind. Moving to Tutanota or Hey is straightforward for new mail, but plan to notify contacts of your new address and accept a fresh start on your archive.
Are there other encrypted email options beyond these five?
Yes, but they're smaller or less actively maintained. Mailfence (Belgium-based, open-source), Startmail (Netherlands), and Kolab Now exist but have smaller user bases and fewer integrations than ProtonMail, Tutanota, or the other alternatives listed here. The five on this page represent the current market leaders in active development and adoption.
What's the difference between end-to-end encryption and regular email security?
End-to-end encryption (used by ProtonMail, Tutanota, and Superhuman) encrypts your message before it leaves your device, so the email provider can't read it. Regular email security (used by standard Gmail, Spark, Missive, Hey for most flows) relies on the provider's security to protect your mail while stored on their servers. End-to-end is stronger but less compatible with regular email.