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Head-to-head · Email Hosting

Google Workspace vs Proton Mail

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Google Workspace #3 in Email Hosting 9.1/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Workspace
Proton Mail #5 in Email Hosting 8.8/10 Free plan Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Proton Mail

Google Workspace leads on 1 check, Proton Mail on 2, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGoogle Workspace · 9.1/10
  • Lowest starting priceProton Mail · $3.99/user/mo
  • Free planonly Proton Mail
  • Free trialboth
  • Most featuresGoogle Workspace · 3 of 3

Google Workspace scores higher on our rubric for email hosting: 9.1 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.

Proton Mail offers free plan; Google Workspace doesn't. Proton Mail is cheaper to start at $3.99/user/mo against $7/user/mo. Google Workspace leads on storage per mailbox: 30 GB versus 15 GB.

Google Workspace is the better fit for teams wanting a mature, full collaboration suite. Proton Mail is the better fit for privacy-conscious users wanting polished encrypted email.

  • Google Workspace fits best

    Teams wanting a mature, full collaboration suite

  • Proton Mail fits best

    Privacy-conscious users wanting polished encrypted email

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Side by side

Feature Google Workspace 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Proton Mail 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.8
Ranking #3 in Email Hosting #5 in Email Hosting
Best for Teams wanting a mature, full collaboration suite Privacy-conscious users wanting polished encrypted email
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $7/user/mo $3.99/user/mo (best)
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 14 days 14 days
Free trial length 14 days 14 days · no card needed
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7 Email, Live chat, Tickets, Docs
Compliance SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, SSO/SAML GDPR, 2FA
Integrations 8 integrations 4 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Google Workspace 3/3 · Proton Mail 0/3
IMAP/POP support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Calendar included ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Migration tools ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Storage per mailbox 30 GB (best) 15 GB
Email aliases 30 aliases Not checked yet
Attachment limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Mobile app access Native Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Custom-domain Gmail with Calendar, Meet, Docs, Sheets, and Slides
  • Migration tools for Outlook, webmail, and other email systems
  • Web, desktop, mobile, IMAP, POP, and API access
  • End-to-end encryption between Proton Mail users
  • Zero-access encryption for stored messages and attachments
  • Custom domains, aliases, filters, and tracker blocking
Cons
  • Starts at $7 per user per month with annual billing
  • No free plan after the 14-day trial
  • Higher tiers are needed for larger storage and advanced controls
  • Free plan includes only 1 GB of storage
  • Custom domains require a paid plan
  • Bridge is needed for desktop email client access
Our verdict

Google Workspace combines custom-domain Gmail with Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, Chat, and centralized user and security administration. It is designed for businesses, schools, and other organizations that want email…

Read the review →

Proton Mail is an encrypted email service for individuals, organizations, journalists, activists, and businesses. It provides web, desktop, and mobile applications across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Proton Mail users can send…

Read the review →
  1. Google WorkspaceEmail Hosting 9.114-day trial
  2. Proton MailEmail Hosting 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Google Workspace — where it wins

    • Custom-domain Gmail with Calendar, Meet, Docs, Sheets, and Slides
    • Migration tools for Outlook, webmail, and other email systems
    • Web, desktop, mobile, IMAP, POP, and API access

    Where it doesn't

    • Starts at $7 per user per month with annual billing
    • No free plan after the 14-day trial
    • Higher tiers are needed for larger storage and advanced controls

  • Proton Mail — where it wins

    • End-to-end encryption between Proton Mail users
    • Zero-access encryption for stored messages and attachments
    • Custom domains, aliases, filters, and tracker blocking

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan includes only 1 GB of storage
    • Custom domains require a paid plan
    • Bridge is needed for desktop email client access

More comparisons

All email hosting comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update