Updated October 14, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Fastmail vs Proton Pass
Fastmail vs Proton Pass: the differences
| Compare |  Fastmail |  Proton Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | €4 | $4.99 |
| Free plan | No | YesHas it |
| Free plan limits | No free plan; 30-day free trial | Unlimited logins, notes, credit cards and devices; 10 hide-my-email aliases; passkeys on all devices; no vault or item sharing |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web browser | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Web app, Chrome extension, Safari extension, Firefox extension, Edge extension, Brave extension, Command line interface |
| 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 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 | AU | CH |
| Open source | No | YesHas it |
| Protocols | JMAP, IMAP, POP, SMTP, CalDAV, CardDAV, WebDAV, OAuth 2.0 | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Fastmail scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.0.
- Free plan: only Proton Pass.
- Platforms: only Fastmail offers Web browser.
- Platforms: only Proton Pass offers Web app, Chrome extension, Safari extension.
- Support channels: only Fastmail offers Email.
- Support channels: only Proton Pass offers Community.
- Open source: only Proton Pass.
- Founded is lower at Fastmail: 1999 vs 2014.
Our verdict on each
Fastmail
Fastmail is a paid email service for anyone who wants their own domain, standard protocols and a well supported inbox with no free plan. It suits solo users and small teams that will pay a subscription, with plans starting at €4 and a free trial to try first.
Proton Pass
Proton Pass’s listed free-plan features include unlimited logins, notes and credit cards, unlimited devices, 10 hide-my-email aliases, and passkey support. The provider also lists apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux, and says all fields, including usernames and web addresses, are encrypted. These are provider descriptions, not an independent security assessment.
Score breakdown
| Area | Fastmail | Proton Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.2HigherThe entry point of €4 sits under the site's median starting price of €6.84, so cost reads as fair rather than cheap. | 9.0 |
| Offer | 9.1 | 9.1 |
| Privacy | 9.6Higher | 9.0 |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Fastmail | Proton Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 23 of 280 | 12 of 280 |
| Secure email and messaging | 4 of 60 | 3 of 60 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Fastmail | Proton Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Free |
| Legal entity | Fastmail Pty Ltd (ACN 142 646 580) | Proton AG |
| Headquarters | Australia | Switzerland |
| Founded | 1999Lower | 2014 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Help centre, Community |
Secure email
| Fact | Fastmail | Proton Pass |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encryption | No end-to-end encryption in Fastmail's own apps; PGP or S/MIME only via third-party apps | All fields end-to-end encrypted: passwords, usernames, web addresses, credit cards, note contents and metadata; 256-bit AES-GCM vaults; only the user can decrypt, Proton cannot |
| Custom domains | Yes | Yes |
Pros and cons
Fastmail
Pros
- Monthly billing costs €6, and the long-term plan costs €4.67 with the longest term offered running 36.
- Standard clients keep working because the service speaks JMAP, IMAP and POP.
- Apps run on Windows, macOS and Linux, so one account covers a browser, desktops and phones.
Cons
- End-to-end encryption is available as PGP or S/MIME, and Fastmail's own apps leave that setup to third-party apps.
- Support runs on email and help centre only, with no chat or phone line listed.
- Technical data such as IP addresses and client identifiers is kept for security, troubleshooting and auditing, and IP logs are held for a period.
Proton Pass
Pros
- The listed free-plan features include unlimited logins, notes and credit cards, plus unlimited devices.
- The provider lists 10 hide-my-email aliases and passkey support.
- Apps are listed for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux.
Who each suits
Fastmail
Who it suits
- Solo users and small teams that want a work inbox on a domain they own.
- People who rely on their own mail software, since the standard protocols are supported.
- Subscribers ready to commit, since the long-term plan is priced below monthly billing.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers shopping on price alone: Apple Inc. lists $0.99 and Sinew Software Systems lists $1.99, both below Fastmail's €6.
- Anyone counting on device breadth rather than an inbox, where ESET Brasil covers 3 to 25.
Proton Pass
Who it suits
- People who want a password manager with listed apps across desktop and mobile platforms and passkey support.
Current offers
Fastmail
Current offer
Free trial
Free trial on signup: 30 days
Offered on all plans; no refunds for unused subscriptions
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
Pay yearly and save: EUR 12 (Individual), EUR 24 (Duo), EUR 36 (Family)
Applied when paying 12 months in advance on Individual, Duo, Family and business plans; all prices tax-inclusive
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Proton Pass
Current offer
Discount code
40% off Pass Plus: 40% off
Offer link points to the yearly-billing Pass Plus signup; discount applied at signup
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
Fastmail
What does Fastmail cost month to month?+
Fastmail's monthly plan costs €6, and the long-term plan is priced at €4.67 per month. Entry pricing starts at €4, and the longest commitment offered runs 36, so the term you pick drives most of the cost.
Is there a free plan or a free trial?+
There is no free plan on Fastmail, so every account is paid and a free trial is the only route in without paying first. Paid pricing begins at €4 a month, and the monthly plan itself costs €6.
Is Fastmail end-to-end encrypted?+
End-to-end encryption is not built into Fastmail's own apps, and PGP or S/MIME only works through a third-party app. Anyone reading and sending mail in the bundled clients across Windows, macOS and Linux should know that limit before choosing the service.
Proton Pass
Which platforms are listed for Proton Pass apps?+
The provider lists Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux.
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