Email hosting decisions often come down to a fundamental question: Do you prioritize comprehensive privacy protection or streamlined business functionality? Two excellent providers—Proton Mail and Greatmail—represent distinctly different philosophies in email hosting, each excelling in their respective domains.
Understanding the Core Difference
The choice between Proton Mail and Greatmail reflects a deeper philosophical divide in email hosting. Proton Mail is built into a privacy model, where every feature and design decision flows from privacy-first principles. Greatmail is built for email excellence, with privacy as a robust component of a business-focused platform.
This isn’t about one approach being superior—it’s about matching your email solution to your primary needs and organizational priorities. In this article, we will look closely at the pros and cons of these two different approaches to email hosting with privacy taking center stage.
Proton Mail: Privacy as the Foundation
Comprehensive Privacy Ecosystem
Proton Mail doesn’t just offer secure email; it provides an integrated privacy ecosystem. Founded by CERN scientists in 2013, Proton Mail emerged from a commitment to protecting digital communications from surveillance and data harvesting. Every aspect of their platform reflects this privacy-first philosophy.
Core Privacy Features:
- End-to-End Encryption: All emails are encrypted by default, with zero-access encryption ensuring even Proton cannot read your messages
- Swiss Privacy Laws: Based in Switzerland, Proton benefits from some of the world’s strongest privacy protections
- Anonymous Sign-Up: No personal information required to create an account
- Integrated Ecosystem: Seamless integration with ProtonVPN, ProtonDrive, and ProtonCalendar
The Privacy-First User Experience
Proton Mail’s interface and functionality are designed around maintaining maximum privacy, even when it means additional complexity. Features like encrypted external email, self-destructing messages, and advanced encryption key management appeal to users who prioritize security above convenience.
Storage and Pricing:
- Free tier: 1GB storage, 150 messages/day limit
- Mail Plus: $4.99/month (1 user, 15GB storage, unlimited messages)
- Business plans: Starting at $7.99/user/month with advanced admin controls
Greatmail: Business-First with Strong Privacy
Streamlined Business Communication
Greatmail approaches email from a business efficiency perspective, building robust privacy protections into a platform designed for productivity and collaboration. Rather than privacy constraining functionality, Greatmail integrates security seamlessly into business workflows.
Business-Focused Features:
- Advanced Webmail: Professional Roundcube interface with Outlook skin, or upgraded SOGo for groupware users
- Seamless Client Integration: Full IMAP/POP3/SMTP with SSL/TLS and STARTTLS encryption options
- Collaborative Tools: Optional groupware edition with calendar sharing, contact management, and team coordination
- Reliable Deliverability: Optimized infrastructure for consistent business email delivery
Predictable Business Model
Greatmail’s per-mailbox pricing model provides the predictability businesses need for budgeting and planning, with transparent resource allocation and no usage-based surprises.
Storage and Pricing:
- Standard Edition: $1.95/mailbox/month for 10GB mailboxes, $2.95/mailbox/month for 25GB mailboxes
- Groupware Edition: $3.95/mailbox/month for 10GB mailboxes, $4.95/mailbox/month for 25GB mailboxes
- Minimum plan: $9.75/month (5 mailbox minimum)
- Domain-level storage configuration available for flexible allocation
Privacy Comparison: Different Approaches, Strong Protection
Proton Mail’s Privacy Approach
Proton Mail’s privacy model assumes that all communication should be encrypted by default. This means:
- Zero-access encryption where even Proton cannot decrypt your emails
- Metadata protection and minimal data collection
- Anonymous payment options and Tor accessibility
- Integration with privacy-focused services throughout their ecosystem
Greatmail’s Privacy Approach
Greatmail integrates business-grade privacy protections without compromising usability:
- SSL/TLS encryption for all communications
- Robust spam filtering and antivirus protection
- Secure server infrastructure with regular security updates
- GDPR compliance for European business requirements
The Key Distinction: Proton treats privacy as the primary architecture; Greatmail treats privacy as an essential component within a larger infrastructure built around optimal and fully redundant email.
Feature Comparison: Ecosystem vs Specialization
| Aspect | Proton Mail | Greatmail |
|---|---|---|
| Core Philosophy | Privacy-first communication ecosystem | Business-optimized email with integrated privacy |
| Entry Cost | $4.99/month (single user) | $9.75/month (5 mailbox minimum) |
| Encryption Model | End-to-end encryption by default | Industry-standard SSL/TLS with optional PGP |
| User Interface | Privacy-focused webmail, mobile apps | Professional webmail (Roundcube/SOGo), full client support |
| Collaboration | Basic calendar, encrypted file sharing | Advanced groupware with calendar/contact sharing |
| Client Support | ProtonMail Bridge required for IMAP | Native IMAP/POP3/SMTP |
| Storage Model | Per-account allocation | Per-mailbox with domain-level flexibility |
| Business Integration | Limited due to encryption requirements | Seamless integration with business tools |
Use Case Analysis: When Each Solution Excels
Choose Proton Mail When:
- Privacy is your primary concern: You need maximum protection against surveillance, data harvesting, or unwanted access
- You value the integrated ecosystem: The combination of encrypted email, VPN, cloud storage, and calendar in one privacy-focused platform appeals to you
- Regulatory compliance requires encryption: Your industry mandates end-to-end encrypted communication
- You’re comfortable with privacy-first constraints: You’re willing to work within the limitations that maximum privacy requires
Choose Greatmail When:
- Business efficiency is the priority: You need email that integrates seamlessly with existing business workflows and tools
- Team collaboration is essential: Calendar sharing, contact management, and groupware features are important to your operations
- Predictable scaling is required: Per-mailbox pricing helps with budgeting and resource planning as your team grows
- Professional email delivery matters: Consistent deliverability for business communications is crucial
The Integration Question
One practical consideration often overlooked is how each platform integrates with your existing business tools and workflows.
Proton Mail requires their ProtonMail Bridge application to work with standard email clients like Outlook or Thunderbird. While this maintains their encryption model, it adds a technical layer that some users find cumbersome. The privacy benefits are substantial, but the integration complexity may not suit all business environments.
Greatmail works natively with all standard email clients and protocols. This means immediate compatibility with existing business software, mobile devices, and workflow automation tools. The seamless integration supports business productivity without requiring additional software or technical expertise.
Making Your Decision
The choice between Proton Mail and Greatmail isn’t about finding the “better” email provider—it’s about aligning your email solution with your priorities:
If comprehensive privacy protection is your primary need, and you value an integrated ecosystem designed around privacy principles, Proton Mail’s privacy-first approach provides unmatched protection for sensitive communications.
If business communication efficiency is your focus, with privacy as an important but integrated component, Greatmail’s business-first design offers streamlined functionality with robust security protections.
Conclusion
Both Proton Mail and Greatmail represent excellent approaches to email hosting, each optimized for different priorities. Proton Mail excels as a comprehensive privacy solution for users who need maximum protection and are willing to work within privacy-first constraints. Greatmail shines as a business communication platform that integrates strong privacy protections into a productivity-focused experience.
Your choice ultimately depends on whether you need email built into a privacy model, or email built for business with privacy as a strong component. Understanding this fundamental difference will guide you toward the solution that best serves your communication needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Proton Mail offers business plans with admin controls and multiple user management. However, the privacy-first design may require additional setup complexity for standard business integrations compared to traditional business email platforms.
Greatmail provides robust business-grade security including SSL/TLS encryption, spam filtering, and secure infrastructure. While it doesn’t offer Proton’s end-to-end encryption by default, it meets standard business security requirements for most organizations.
Greatmail’s business-focused infrastructure is optimized for reliable deliverability, making it well-suited for business communications. Proton Mail’s privacy focus may occasionally impact deliverability when interacting with certain business email systems.
Both platforms support standard email protocols that facilitate migration. However, moving from Proton Mail means losing end-to-end encryption benefits, while moving to Proton Mail requires setting up their Bridge application for client access.
Proton Mail uses per-user pricing with storage limits, while Greatmail offers per-mailbox pricing with guaranteed resources. Greatmail’s model may be more predictable for business budgeting, while Proton’s integrated ecosystem could provide better value if you need VPN and storage services.
Greatmail typically offers simpler setup with native email client support and familiar business interfaces. Proton Mail may require additional configuration steps due to its privacy-focused architecture, particularly when integrating with standard business tools.