P
PPrivate emailFull list
Encrypted, ad-free mailboxes.
4 tools4 with a free plan1 with an API3 open source
4 tools
PP
Free, from $3.99/mo
P
End-to-end encrypted email based in Switzerland, with a free plan
Private emailFree planOpen source
T
TT
Freemium
T
End-to-end encrypted email, calendar and contacts with a free plan
Private emailFree planOpen source
S
SS
Free, from $3/mo
S
Open-source email aliases to hide your real address and block spam
Email & phone aliasesFree planAPIOpen source
M
MM
Freemium
M
OpenPGP encrypted email, calendar and documents under Belgian privacy law
Private emailFree plan
How to choose private email tools
Start by deciding whether you need a new mailbox or just a way to protect the one you have. Proton Mail, Tuta and Mailfence are full encrypted email providers. SimpleLogin works differently: it creates aliases that forward to your existing inbox, so your real address stays hidden and spammed aliases can be switched off.
Encryption approach. Mailfence is built on OpenPGP, the standard that many other mail clients also support. Proton Mail and Tuta describe their service as end-to-end encrypted.
Open source and jurisdiction. SimpleLogin, Proton Mail and Tuta are open source. Proton Mail is based in Switzerland and Mailfence operates under Belgian privacy law.
Platforms and extras. Proton Mail and Tuta offer desktop apps for Windows, macOS and Linux as well as web and mobile. Mailfence and Tuta add a calendar, and Mailfence also includes documents. SimpleLogin has an API, a Chrome extension and a self-hosted option.
Pricing. All four are freemium. Paid plans start at $3/mo for SimpleLogin and $3.99/mo for Proton Mail.
Frequently asked questions
Are there free private email services?
Yes. All four tools listed here have a free tier: SimpleLogin, Proton Mail, Mailfence and Tuta. Tuta and Proton Mail specifically say they offer a free plan.
How much does private email cost?
Paid plans in this list start at $3/mo for SimpleLogin and $3.99/mo for Proton Mail. Mailfence and Tuta are freemium, but our list doesn't include their starting prices, so check their sites.
What should I look for in a private email provider?
Look at the encryption method (OpenPGP for Mailfence, end-to-end for Proton Mail and Tuta), whether the code is open source, which country's laws apply, which platforms have apps, and whether you need extras such as a calendar or documents.
Is there an alternative to switching email providers?
Yes. SimpleLogin gives you forwarding aliases, so you can keep your current inbox and still hide your real address. If one alias starts getting spam, you can block it. SimpleLogin can also be self-hosted.