Does your Gmail inbox feel cluttered, overflowing, and not so secure? You are not alone. I wanted a Gmail alternative that’s more secure, gives me better control, has ample features, and does the job on all my devices. After trying out several alternatives, I stumbled upon Proton Mail. And honestly, I’m beyond impressed. This isn’t just another email client; it’s a comprehensive ecosystem designed with you in mind.
With native Android devices and desktop apps, end-to-end encryption, on-device AI, and support for email aliases, Proton Mail is not just an alternative, but a genuine Gmail killer.
Proton Mail has native apps on all the platforms
One aspect that immediately won me over with Proton Mail is its commitment to delivering native apps across all the desktop platforms I rely on. As someone who juggles a MacBook Pro for my daily work, a Windows machine for gaming and specific software, and occasionally uses a Linux distro for my home lab, this is a must-have.
Unlike Gmail, Proton Mail offers a native and consistent experience on all my devices. I don’t have to deal with clunky web interfaces or feel like a second-class citizen on certain operating systems. This level of platform parity is something I’ve missed with Gmail.
Proton Mail covers style basics
Aside from security features and unique add-ons, Proton Mail hasn’t skimped on the basics. Take filters, for instance: just like Gmail rules, I can set them to automatically sort and manage my incoming mail based on set filters. For example, I have set a filter where Proton Mail forwards my monthly bank statement emails to my accountant. In another filter, I have set a rule to apply the Shopping label to all my Amazon messages.
And when I need to find that one specific email from weeks ago? Proton Mail’s search functionality is robust and lightning-fast, finding my messages with impressive accuracy. Other useful add-ons include the ability to favorite important messages, change layout, support for keyboard shortcuts, and more. Since the UI is similar to Gmail, there is no learning curve.
The email organization structure is robust
Like Gmail, Proton Mail offers a fantastic organization approach with folders and labels. I use folders to create distinct categories for different areas of my life and work. For instance, I have folders like Work Projects, Personal Finances, Travel Plans, and Home Lab. This allows me to organize emails based on their broad subject immediately.
Labels, on the other hand, act more like tags or keywords that I can attach to emails, regardless of which folder they reside in. This adds another layer of organization. For example, within my Work Project folder, I might use labels like Urgent, Awaiting Response, Completed, or even specific client names. This way, I can quickly identify the status or context of an email without having to open it or move it to a subfolder. Proton Mail makes it simple to create and manage both folders and labels.
The ability to self-destruct messages
This feature gives me a sense of control and security, especially when sharing sensitive information. Let me give you a real-life example. Recently, I needed to share some confidential financial details with my accountant. While I trust their security practices, I didn’t want to leave my sensitive documents in their inboxes.
With Proton Mail, I could compose the email containing the necessary information, attach the encrypted documents, and then set a self-destruct timer for, say, one day. Once my accountant opens and reads the email within that 24-hour timeframe, the message and its attachments are automatically and permanently deleted from both inboxes.
Support for end-to-end encryption
Proton Mail supports end-to-end encryption. It gives me peace of mind as I usually deal with private documents and files over email. End-to-end encryption isn’t limited to Proton accounts only. When I share an email with a non-Proton user, I can click the lock icon at the bottom, set a password, and enable encryption in no time. After all, Proton is still a new service, and not everyone has a relevant Proton ID.
When you enable E2EE, even Proton itself doesn’t have the keys to decrypt and read the content of these emails.
Writing assistant that runs on the device
One of the surprising features I’ve discovered in Proton Mail is its on-device AI writing assistant. Unlike some other AI writing tools that send your text to remote servers for processing, Proton Mail’s assistant operates directly on my device. When you use it for the first time, Proton Mail downloads the AI model on the device, and after that, you can compose new emails using text prompts only.
I typically use it to refine my emails before sending them. After I’ve drafted a message, I can invoke the AI assistant, which offers suggestions for improving my writing. This includes things like grammar and spell checking, tone adjustment, and sentence structure. For someone like me who values both privacy and convenience, this on-device AI writing assistant is a fantastic addition.
Seamless integration with Proton apps
Like Gmail, Proton Mail has seamless integration with its apps and services. For instance, when I receive an email about a meeting or event in Proton Mail, I can directly add it to my Proton Calendar. Similarly, when someone emails me for the first time, I can easily add them to my Proton Contacts directly from the email interface.
In the future, I would love to see Proton Tasks integration. I like the way Google Tasks seamlessly integrates with Gmail. It is convenient for managing to-do lists directly within the email workflow.
Support for email aliases
Proton offers up to 15 email aliases with my Proton Unlimited plan. I use them whenever I need to sign up for an unknown app or service on the web or mobile. I no longer feel the need to expose my primary Proton Mail address. For example, if I’m signing up for a newsletter from a website I’m not entirely sure about, I can create an alias and get the job done.
Creating and managing these aliases within Proton Mail is incredibly straightforward. I can generate new aliases quickly and easily through the settings, and I have the flexibility to name them in a way that makes sense to me.
Goodbye Gmail, hello Proton Mail
After putting Proton Mail through its paces, I can confidently say that my search for a more secure, feature-rich, and user-friendly Gmail alternative has ended. The combination of native apps, robust security, on-device writing assistant, and the flexibility of email aliases makes Proton Mail a no-brainer choice for anyone looking to ditch Gmail.
Like any software, Proton Mail isn’t without its quirks. I would love to see a Material You makeover on the web, widgets, task integration, and more in future updates. These are just nitpicks, though. If you value privacy and desire a more comprehensive email solution, I recommend giving Proton Mail a try. If you are still unsure about the switch, check out my comparison guide between Gmail and Proton Mail to learn more.
