Updated September 29, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
HideMy.name vs Proton Mail
What sets them apart
| Compare |  HideMy.name |  Proton Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $11 | $4.99Lower |
| Free plan limits | 24 hours, no registration, access code by email only | Unlimited logins, notes, credit cards and devices; 10 hide-my-email aliases; passkeys on all devices; no vault or item sharing |
| Platforms | Windows, Android, iOS, MacOS, Linux, Router | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Web app, Command line interface, Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, Brave |
| Logging policy | Non-persistent connection log (random username and assigned IP) for troubleshooting only, cleared every few hours; browsing activity not recorded; email address is the only required data | No permanent IP logs by default; temporary IP logs kept to combat abuse and fraud; authentication logging off by default; Proton states it has no technical means to access encrypted passwords or notes |
| Jurisdiction | GB | CH |
| Protocols | OpenVPN, WireGuard | Not confirmed |
| Open source | Not confirmed | Yes |
Same on both: Free plan (Yes).
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Key differences
- Proton Mail scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.9.
- Price from is lower at Proton Mail: $4.99 vs $11.
- Platforms: only HideMy.name offers Router.
- Platforms: only Proton Mail offers Web app, Command line interface, Chrome.
Our verdict on each
HideMy.name
HideMy.name suits privacy minded shoppers who want a trial before commitment and support across desktop and mobile. You get connections on devices of 5 across server countries of 42 with protocols of OpenVPN and WireGuard plus help through support of email, phone and help centre every day.
Proton Mail
Proton Mail suits readers who want a password manager that is open source, free to start and end-to-end encrypted on every field, metadata included. Support runs on email, help centre and community, and the budget plan starts at $4.99, while the group median monthly price is €6.47.
Score breakdown
| Area | HideMy.name | Proton Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Monthly outlay of $11 with long term price of $4 shapes entry value | 9.1Higher |
| Offer | 8.8Coverage across Windows, Android and iOS with tools of kill switch, split tunnelling and multi hop defines day to day use | 9.1Higher |
| Privacy | 9.4HigherJurisdiction noted as GB with stated no logs approach shapes confidence | 8.9 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | HideMy.name | Proton Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Switzerland |
How they place
| Ranking | HideMy.name | Proton Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 15 of 280 | 11 of 280 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | HideMy.name | Proton Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free, Budget | Free, Budget |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Proton AG |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Switzerland |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2014 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Help centre, Community |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | HideMy.name | Proton Mail | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $11above the median | $4.99below the median | $8 |
Median across 82 listed providers.
Pros and cons
HideMy.name
Pros
- Trial access with limits of 24 hours, no registration, access code by email only lets you check fit before paying
- Covers platforms of Windows, Android and iOS with allowance of 5 for home and travel use
- Includes privacy tools of kill switch, split tunnelling and multi hop alongside protocols of OpenVPN and WireGuard
Cons
- Server reach of 42 sits below the typical peer level of 45, which may matter for varied routing
- Device allowance of 5 sits below the peer typical level of 6.5, unlike ESET Brasil with 3 to 25
- Long term option lasts 12 with price of $4, giving a shorter commitment window than extended rivals offer
Proton Mail
Pros
- End-to-end encryption covers passwords, usernames, web addresses, credit cards, note contents and metadata, and only the user can decrypt.
- The client is open source, and by its logging policy the company has no technical means to reach encrypted passwords or notes.
- Paid entry is light: the budget plan starts at $4.99, and custom domains are supported.
Cons
- Support runs on email, help centre and community, with no phone line and no live chat in that list.
- The free plan limits leave out vault and item sharing, so a free account suits one person rather than a household.
- By its logging policy, temporary IP logs are kept to combat abuse and fraud, and authentication logging is off by default.
Who each suits
HideMy.name
Who it suits
- You value phone plus email help through email, phone and help centre while Ivacy offers a different support mix
- You want trial limits of 24 hours, no registration, access code by email only to assess fit while FastestVPN leans toward paid entry from the start
Who should look elsewhere
- You need far larger simultaneous use than 5, so ESET Brasil with 3 to 25 may fit better
Proton Mail
Who it suits
- Readers who want open source, end-to-end encrypted storage with a free plan to start on.
- Single users on a budget: paid entry starts at $4.99 on the budget plan.
- Readers who want a named operator: Proton AG, founded in 2014 and under CH jurisdiction.
Who should look elsewhere
- Apple Hide My Email, which arrives inside iCloud+ rather than as a standalone vault and whose free plan limits leave it out of the entry iCloud plan.
- Apple Inc. for anyone shopping only inside the Apple ecosystem, since the free plan limits exclude Hide My Email from the entry iCloud plan.
- addy.io, whose free plan limits cap recipients, alias domains and monthly bandwidth, so it suits lighter alias use.
Current offers
HideMy.name
Current offer
Free trial
Test VPN access for 24 hours: 24 hours free
No registration required; access code sent by email; paid subscription required to continue after the trial
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Proton Mail
Current offer
Free trial
30-day money-back guarantee on Pass Plus and Proton Unlimited: 30 days
Applies to premium Pass Plus and Proton Unlimited plans; cancel and request refund within 30 days
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
Pass Plus discount on yearly plans: 40% off
Pass Plus annual billing
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
HideMy.name
What will you pay on the monthly plan versus the long term plan+
The monthly plan price is $11 while the long term plan price is $4 for the plan length of 12. You keep entry and renewal thinking separate, since the longer span lowers the average outlay across the term.
Where can you install it and how many devices are covered+
You can run service on platforms of Windows, Android and iOS and share use across devices of 5. That mix covers desktop, mobile and router use, so you can protect home and travel setups under the same allowance.
Proton Mail
How much does Proton Mail cost?+
There is a free plan, and the budget plan starts at $4.99. For context, the median monthly price across secure email brands in this group is €6.47, and the median long-term rate is €4.67. Entry pricing sits below that group median.
Can Proton Mail read my passwords?+
No. End-to-end encryption covers passwords, usernames, web addresses, credit cards, note contents and metadata inside AES-GCM vaults, so only the user can decrypt. By its logging policy, Proton states it has no technical means to reach encrypted passwords or notes, and the client is open source under CH law.
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