Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Fastmail vs Proton AG
Where Fastmail and Proton AG differ
| Compare |  Fastmail |  Proton AG |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan limits | No free plan; 30-day free trial | No data or speed limits, no ads, no time limit, 1 device, servers in 10 countries randomly selected, medium speed. |
| End-to-end encryption | No end-to-end encryption in Fastmail's own apps; PGP or S/MIME only via third-party apps | The VPN connection from the user's device to Proton's servers; Proton also markets Proton for Business with end-to-end encryption. |
| Jurisdiction | AU | CH |
| Open source | No | YesHas it |
| Price from | €4 | Not confirmed |
| Custom domains | Yes | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Proton AG scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.0.
- Support channels: only Proton AG offers Chat, Community.
- Open source: only Proton AG.
- Founded is lower at Fastmail: 1999 vs 2014.
Our verdict on each
Fastmail
Fastmail suits readers who want a custom domain and a quick mailbox at a mid-range price, not a privacy-first service with end-to-end encryption in its apps. It ranks 15 on price from among the brands compared here, and its own apps carry no end-to-end encryption.
Proton AG
Proton AG suits readers who want a published no-logs audit, a free tier and a bundled privacy suite rather than a bare tunnel, with the company based in Switzerland. Paid plans reach servers in from 140 countries and cover 10 devices, alongside free storage of 5 GB.
Score breakdown
| Area | Fastmail | Proton AG |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3 | 9.3 |
| Offer | 8.7 | 9.4HigherTerm choice runs to 24 months with a 30-day refund window, and a free plan anchors entry pricing. |
| Privacy | 8.9 | 8.9 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Fastmail | Proton AG |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 37 of 280 | 24 of 280 |
| Secure email and messaging | 6 of 60 | 5 of 60 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Fastmail | Proton AG |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Australia | Switzerland |
What we checked
Fastmail
- fastmail.com: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Proton AG
- protonvpn.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- proton.me: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Fastmail | Proton AG |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Free |
| Legal entity | Fastmail Pty Ltd | Proton AG |
| Headquarters | Australia | Switzerland |
| Founded | 1999Lower | 2014 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Email, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Privacy tools
| Fact | Fastmail | Proton AG |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | YesHas it |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV |
| Protocols | Not confirmed | WireGuard, OpenVPN |
| Logging policy | Logs technical data such as IP addresses and client identifiers for security, troubleshooting and auditing; IP logs retained for up to one year | No activity logs |
| Privacy tool type | Not confirmed | Ad blocker |
Password managers
| Fact | Fastmail | Proton AG |
|---|---|---|
| Family plan | Not confirmed | Pass Family: up to 6 users, 6 Pass Plus accounts, admin panel |
| Passkeys | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Security audit | Not confirmed | Independently audited by third-party experts; audit reports public |
| Encryption | Not confirmed | Zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption, 256-bit AES-GCM vaults, OpenPGP with ECC Curve25519 for vault keys |
| Features | Not confirmed | Kill switch, Split tunnelling |
| Zero-knowledge encryption | Not confirmed | Yes |
Encrypted storage
| Fact | Fastmail | Proton AG |
|---|---|---|
| Free storage | Not confirmed | 5 |
| Compliance certifications | Not confirmed | GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001 |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Fastmail | Proton AG | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | €4below the median | Not confirmed | €5.30 |
Median across 15 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Fastmail
Pros
- Custom domains: yes, so mail runs on an address you own rather than a provider address.
- Platform coverage of web, ios and android means a single account works in a browser and on both mobile platforms.
- Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Australia, Fastmail Pty Ltd operates under AU terms.
Cons
- Technical data such as IP addresses and client identifiers is logged for security, troubleshooting and auditing, and IP logs are kept for a retention period.
- Phone support is not among its email and help centre.
Proton AG
Pros
- No-logs claims are audited rather than asserted: Securitum's audit (Securitum, 2026) sits behind a No activity logs policy.
- Free limits come with no caps on data or speed, no ads and no time limit.
- 10 simultaneous devices, above the ranked VPN median of 8.
Cons
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre, and there is no phone line among them.
- The free plan limits put you on a single device at medium speed with randomly selected countries, so constant use points at a paid plan.
- End-to-end encryption is marketed for Proton for Business, while the consumer plan encrypts only the connection from your device to Proton's servers.
Who each suits
Fastmail
Who it suits
- Readers who want mail on a domain they own, since custom domains are supported.
- People who want a single account on web, ios and android and a price to plan around at entry and again at renewal.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who compare entry prices with addy.io at $1 or Apple Hide My Email at $0.99 and want the smaller starting figure.
- Anyone who needs a standing no-cost tier, since the free plan is no and the only introductory offer is a trial.
Proton AG
Who it suits
- Readers who want a VPN, a passkey vault and encrypted storage under a single account instead of separate subscriptions.
- Families sharing storage, since Pass Family covers several users and Pass Plus seats through a single admin panel.
- Teams buying under a business audience (business) who need GDPR, HIPAA and ISO 27001 certifications on file.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone needing more devices on a single account: Proton covers 10, while ESET Brasil plans run 3 to 25 devices.
- Readers choosing purely on server spread: AVG lists from 100 countries, a base close to Proton's from 140.
- Readers who want a different audit trail to compare: Session Technology Foundation lists Quarkslab 2021 against Proton's Securitum, 2026.
Current offers
Fastmail
Current offer
Free trial
30-day free trial: 30 days free
Try free for up to 30 days; no refunds for unused subscriptions
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
Fastmail
How much does Fastmail cost to start?+
The entry plan starts at €4. The free plan is no, and the free plan limits read No free plan; 30-day free trial, so the trial is the only no-cost look. Budget for the paid plan at entry and again at renewal.
Is there a free plan or a free trial?+
The free plan is no, and the free plan limits read No free plan; 30-day free trial, which lists the trial as the only no-cost entry. Nothing carries into a standing account at no charge, so readers who compare services on a permanent no-cost tier should set this one aside.
Proton AG
What does Proton VPN cost, and how long are the commitments?+
The longest plan runs 24 months, the service is listed on a free model, and paid plans carry a 30-day money-back window. Across the ranked VPN field, monthly pricing has a median of €7.02 and long-term pricing a median of €3.97, which frames any quote you see.
Is there a free plan, and what are its limits?+
Yes. The free plan has no caps on data or speed, no ads and no time limit. It runs on a single device, reaches servers in a randomly selected group of countries and delivers medium speed, so the paid tier, which covers 10 devices, is the practical step for constant use.
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