Key differences: ProtonMail vs Tuta Mail
In the digital age, data protection and security has become the top concern to many. Navigating the web securely is more important than ever, and secure email has become an indispensable tool. The solutions offering secure and easy-to-use email encryption are limited and in recent years ProtonMail and Tuta Mail have surfaced as the top choice of individuals and businesses to protect their online communication like emails, calendars and contacts. Thanks to the automatic encryption and user-friendly interfaces, these two private email providers are setting the standard.
ProtonMail describes itself as “Secure email with absolutely no compromises, brought to you by MIT and CERN scientists”; it is based in Switzerland and has about 100 million users. Many email providers claim to be good alternatives to ProtonMail, but only Tuta Mail is encrypted like Proton, making it ProtonMail’s number one rival. In fact Tuta Mail is better than ProtonMail as it encrypts far more data than Proton and has a stronger focus on protecting your privacy. All in all it’s the best ProtonMail alternative available. Tuta Mail is built in Germany, a country with some of the best data protection laws, has more than 10 million users and describes itself as “the world’s first end-to-end encrypted mail service that encrypts the entire mailbox. With its unique open source technology Tuta fights for privacy and freedom of speech online.”
Let’s find out which of the two is better, Proton Mail or Tuta Mail!
Encryption
Both Proton Mail and Tuta are privacy-focused email providers that offer end-to-end encryption for all emails. Both enable users to use a password for encrypting emails sent to recipients that don’t have an email address with an encrypted email provider. One major differentiation here is that in Tuta Mail external recipients can access the entire email thread via the shared password while recipients of encrypted messages from its rival Proton Mail are limited to just seeing one message.
In addition, there are quite important differences in the encryption methods used. ProtonMail uses PGP encryption, which lacks important requirements that Tuta is able to fix. Tuta Mail encrypts not just bodies and attachments of emails like it is done with PGP, but also the subject line, which can contain very sensitive information. Additionally, the encryption protocols used in Tuta enable us to easily upgrade to new quantum-secure algorithms and add support for Prefect Forward Secrecy.
Instead of using an implementation of PGP itself, Tuta uses standard algorithms also being used by PGP (AES and RSA or ECC) for encrypting not just emails, but also other information that ProtonMail does not encrypt such as the entire address book and calendar metadata like calendar notifications. Tuta is the only email service that automatically encrypts all this data. In addition, Tutanota in contrast to ProtonMail already uses post-quantum-cryptography (Kyber).
Security
Tuta and Proton Mail both prioritize user security and privacy over profits, unlike older generation free email providers like Gmail, Yahoo Mail and Outlook. People choose to create email addresses with these two private services to get rid of Big Tech tracking and personalized ads. Tuta excels in this regard as it pays more attention to the details, particularly when it comes to privacy-first solutions. For instance, Proton email uses some integrations with closed-source third-party services, including Google push notifications while we’ve developed our own open-source alternative to reCAPTCHA and we’ve published our Android app on F-Droid, making it one of the few email apps available with NO ties to Google services. You can be sure that the Tuta Android app does not include Google’s Analytics tracking code.
Both Tuta Mail and Proton Mail offer open source email clients, which means that anyone can inspect the code and ensure there are no backdoors. Tuta takes this transparency even further by also offering free open source desktop clients for Linux, macOS and Windows while Proton has built a so called "bridge" only available to paying users. However, such a bridge is not a solution because at Tuta we aim for the highest security level:
By using the Proton Mail bridge all data is stored unencrypted in the third party email client. We at Tuta Mail aim for a solution where all data is always stored securely encrypted, even on your own devices. Our desktop clients do exactly that and make the data also available when offline.
The protocols IMAP and SMTP used by the Bridge are not the most efficient protocols especially when it comes to push notifications or to attachments of emails (which are encoded into the body).
With improving our Tuta Mail desktop clients we serve you much better than by spending time in developing and maintaining three bridges for Linux, Windows and macOS.
ProtonMail and Tuta use secure servers located in Europe (in Switzerland and Germany, respectively), but Proton have secondary offices in the US, one of the Five Eyes countries.
Business features
Tuta and ProtonMail both offer business-focused plans, with secure business email and calendar, multiple custom email domains, multiple alias addresses and inbox rules. Only Tuta allows you to create an unlimited number of custom domain email addresses, have an unlimited number of fully encrypted calendars and a plan with a whitelabel version, while only Proton email business plans include a VPN service.
Sustainability & Green Email
While ProtonMail doesn’t have any sustainability initiative as of yet, Tuta uses 100% renewable electricity for all its servers as well as its offices. A private, secure and encrypted email service that is also the most free and sustainable option is a choice you can feel good about!
Pricing
The real difference between Proton vs Tuta Mail becomes obvious when looking at features within each plan: Both Tuta and Proton Mail operate on a freemium model, offering free and paid versions of their email service. Tuta paid plans are more affordable than ProtonMail's with more features included.
In Tuta's Revolutionary plan you get 20 GB of storage, 3 custom domains, 15 email addresses and an unlimited number of custom domain email addresses while in Proton's Mail Plus plan you get 15 GB of storage, 1 custom domain and 10 email addresses. The Tuta free version includes 1 GB of storage, while Proton's free version includes 500 MB of storage.
Proton vs Tuta:
Best ProtonMail Alternative: Comparison of Security & Features
| ENCRYPTION | Tuta Mail | Proton Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Encrypted transmission (TLS) | ||
| End-to-end encrypted email storage | ||
| End-to-end encryption of all internal emails | ||
| Easy end-to-end encryption to external recipients | ||
| End-to-end encrypted storage of all contact details | - | |
| Encrypted email subject lines | - |
| SECURITY | Tuta Mail | Proton Mail |
|---|---|---|
| TOTP for second factor authentication | ||
| U2F for second factor authentication | ||
| No-log policy | ||
| GDPR-compliant | ||
| Servers in Europe |
| BUSINESS FEATURES | Tuta Mail | Proton Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Custom domains | ||
| Unlimited custom domain email addresses | - | |
| Email alias addresses | ||
| Inbox rules / smart filters | ||
| Unlimited domains | - | |
| Whitelabel customizations | - |
| FEATURES IN BASIC PAID ACCOUNT | Tuta Mail | Proton Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-user support | - | |
| Encrypted calendar | ||
| Offline support in mobile & desktop clients | - |
| USABILITY | Tuta Mail | Proton Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Access on any device | ||
| Zero-knowledge full-text search | ||
| Self-destructing emails | - | |
| Conversation view | - | |
| Group send feature | ||
| Support of third-party clients via installable bridge | - | |
| Own desktop clients | - | |
| Open Source Clients & Apps | ||
| App on F-Droid | - |
| FAIR & EASY | Tuta Mail | Proton Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Free subscription | ||
| Ad-free | ||
| Eco-friendly | - | |
| Special offer for NPOs | - |
Why Tutanota Is Better Than ProtonMail
With so many email providers available, choosing the best email service can seem like a daunting task. Tuta Mail and ProtonMail are known for their privacy and security features and are two of the most popular secure email providers. Both make great secure Gmail alternatives, whether you’re looking to create an email address for personal or business use, or you’re considering migrating from an existing email account.
If you are looking for a professional email account, both Tuta and ProtonMail are great options, yet all in all Tuta is better than ProtonMail. Tuta Mail excels with its extensive features supporting multiple custom domains, an unlimited number of email addresses with your own domains as well as larger storage and alias email address packages, which makes this private email provider a popular choice as a ProtonMail alternative for private and business users. If you value convenience, security, and privacy, Tuta Mail is an excellent replacement to ProtonMail as well as to mainstream email services like Gmail and Outlook.
TutaMail stands out for its use of AES and RSA encryption, which encrypts email metadata such as subject lines, and for using post-quantum secure encryption. In terms of sustainability, Tuta relies exclusively on sustainable electricity. We offer more features than Proton Mail with our free email accounts and have lower prices for our paid plans with more features included.
Tuta is more than just email: Beyond the encrypted email service, Tuta Mail also offers a fully encrypted calendar for all devices regardless whether you choose to create a free or paid account. These calendars are secured with end-to-end encryption and can be shared with your friends and loved ones easily. All apps come with a fully encrypted address book that you can now sync to your mobile from our Android and iOS apps easily. Use your encrypted contacts for making calls and sending messages. Tuta gives you the best encrypted organizational tools available on all clients: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux. Plus, we plan to launch an encrypted cloud storage solution Tuta Drive that will also use post-quantum cryptography to secure your files, images, and other data.
When choosing TutaMail, you get the biggest bang for your buck compared to ProtonMail! You can enjoy end-to-end encrypted email with an unlimited number of custom domain email addresses, fully encrypted calendars and business email features all in one. On top of that Tuta offers its own open source desktop clients that always keep your data securely encrypted and available locally, even when offline.
All of these make Tuta the most secure email service on the market. Tuta Mail is a great ProtonMail alternative, more sustainable and with better privacy and security features.
Switch to Secure Emails Today
Switch now and simply forward your emails to Tuta!
To create a new free email address, register your personal Tuta email address now.
Unfortunately, if you are currently using a Protonmail email address, you will not be able to set up auto forwarding as this feature is not available in Proton Mail.
This means that you need to forward important emails manually on a daily basis for a couple of weeks. You can then inform each sender about your new email address so that they will start sending to your Tuta address directly. When you have the feeling that no more important emails are being received at Protonmail, you can leave this account dormant and occasionally check whether an important email has still landed in your Proton account.
This way, you will have a much cleaner inbox and get rid of all the unwanted newsletters that have accumulated over the last couple of years.
Welcome to the encrypted side!
A better web
Secure
Tuta automatically encrypts all your data end-to-end with post-quantum cryptography which makes it the safest email provider.
This is hands down the best free privacy oriented email service out there. They genuinely care about the end users privacy. The data they collect is next to nothing (if any) and provide a plethora of amazing services.
BRYCEN GUNTER
Secure email and a secure calendar. I didn't need 20gb of space but I wanted to pay to support this company. I also enjoyed the ability to have custom domain integration.
CHRIS L McCLISH
Best secure Email provider! Love this provider! I've been a happy customer for a while now. I have even recommended this to relatives. No worrying about privacy infringement or identity/data security. I can rest assured that my emails remain private.
TRISH
For this Android user, this secure email client is one of the best available out there. I like having the calendar, email and contacts combined in one app rather than multiple places. Great app for those important emails and events.
BUCK T
Green
We take our responsibility seriously and only use renewable energy to power your emails, calendars, and contacts.
Thanks for being a solid company, I'm very happy to have switched from proton since Tuta handles several things (green energy, fdroid app, linux app) way better.
JEREMIAH
Uses 100% renewable energies, open source, supports non-profits and schools, respects privacy, ad-free. Also offers nice phone and laptop apps. Just switched to a paid account to support the company though the free version is really good already on its own (I've used it for a year now). Definitely five stars!
TARKAN SCHNEIDER
Ad-free
We give you the freedom to communicate confidentially, without any tracking or personalized ads.
It works very well and you are not bombarded with intrusive and harmful advertising. A most excellent replacement for all Microsoft and Google email accounts!
ANONYMOUS
Secure and private with encryption, ad free and free, what's not to like.
GRIMEST
Tuta is the best cost-benefit email service in the market. It has the same main features as most mail providers. The difference is that Tuta cares about your privacy and won't use your data against you, nor try to convince you to click on ads selling stuff you don't need.
FERNANDO SILVA
With the big tech companies scanning and using your email as a way to push advertisements, it's comforting to use something secure and, for lack of a better word, cool. You use email a lot right? You out also know that free isn't really free, the price is for tech companies to get your info. I love Tuta.
CHRIS L McCLISH
I use Tuta 2 weeks now and I didn't find something to keep me away. Black beautiful GUI, easy to navigate throughout app, encrypted messages with password, even the login has 2FA, there is no ads.
KITTYUZUTTY
Tuta - the email alternative that respects your right to privacy.
With its all-round end-to-end encryption and its clear focus on open source, Tuta is the best email provider when it comes to convenience, security and privacy. We have replaced the need for IMAP by building the Tuta desktop clients for Windows, Linux and Mac OS that also support offline mode. Our next development steps include conversation view and email import. Our vision with Tuta is to become a full-fledged email alternative with a calendar, notes, cloud storage - everything encrypted by default.