Proton Mail vs Tuta

Both Proton Mail and Tuta are European-built, GDPR-compliant solutions in the email hosting space. This comparison breaks down their features, pricing, compliance posture, and data residency so you can make an informed choice for your team.

Quick Overview

Proton Mail logo

Proton Mail

EU
Headquarters
Geneva, CH
Pricing
Free / From €4/mo
Open Source
Yes
Tuta logo

Tuta

EU
Headquarters
Hanover, DE
Pricing
Free / From €3/mo
Open Source
Yes

Key Differences

  • On pricing, Tuta is the more affordable option. Proton Mail offers a free tier while tuta offers a free tier, though pricing alone shouldn't drive your decision — feature fit and compliance needs matter more.
  • Data residency differs: Proton Mail hosts data in Switzerland, Germany, while Tuta hosts in Germany. If your organisation requires data to stay in a specific EU country, this distinction matters for compliance.
  • Proton Mail holds ISO 27001 certification, providing third-party assurance of its security practices. Tuta does not currently hold these certifications, which may matter if your organisation requires them for vendor approval.
  • Tuta was founded in 2011, giving it a 3-year head start over Proton Mail (founded 2014). More time in market often means a larger user community and more mature integrations, though newer entrants may offer more modern architectures.
  • Each product has unique strengths: Proton Mail offers End-to-end encryption and Zero-access encryption, while Tuta provides End-to-end encrypted email and Encrypted subject lines. Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.

Feature Comparison

Feature Proton Mail Tuta
Name Proton Mail Tuta
Pricing Free / From €4/mo Free / From €3/mo
Free Tier
GDPR
ISO 27001
Open Source
Headquarters Geneva, CH Hanover, DE
Data Centers CH, DE DE
End-to-end encryption
Zero-access encryption
Custom domain support
PGP support
Bridge for desktop clients
Calendar
Cloud storage (Proton Drive)
VPN
Password manager
End-to-end encrypted email
Encrypted subject lines
Encrypted calendar
Encrypted contacts
Desktop and mobile apps
Two-factor authentication
Anonymous sign-up option

Pricing Comparison

Proton Mail

Free / From €4/mo

freemium

Tuta

Free / From €3/mo

freemium

Compliance Comparison

Proton Mail

GDPRISO 27001DPA

Tuta

GDPRDPA

Get Started

Try Proton Mail

Encrypted email from Switzerland

Visit Proton Mail

Try Tuta

Secure email and calendar made in Germany

Visit Tuta

Categories

How to Choose

Your procurement requires ISO 27001 certification

Choose Proton Mail

You need enterprise-grade support and stability

Choose Proton Mail

You prefer a nimble provider with personalised support

Choose Tuta

Proton Mail vs Tuta — FAQ

What is the main difference between Proton Mail and Tuta?
Both Proton Mail and Tuta are European email hosting solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: Proton Mail is headquartered in Switzerland while Tuta is based in Germany. Proton Mail is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, while Tuta is based in Hanover, Germany. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements for features, pricing, and data residency.
Which is more affordable, Proton Mail or Tuta?
Both Proton Mail and Tuta offer free tiers, so you can try either without cost. Both use freemium pricing, so compare the tiers that match your team size and feature needs.
Are both Proton Mail and Tuta GDPR compliant?
Yes. Both Proton Mail and Tuta are European companies that store data within the EU/EEA and offer Data Processing Agreements. Neither is subject to the US CLOUD Act or FISA surveillance. Additionally, Proton Mail holds ISO 27001 certification. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.

Data Center Locations

Related Pages