Email services: Outlook vs. Proton Mail

Quick Verdict

Both Outlook and Proton Mail are robust email service providers, each catering to different priorities. Outlook is ideal for users deeply embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem and needing large storage capacities. Proton Mail is better suited for privacy-conscious users who prioritize security and data protection, even if it means paying for premium features.

Outlook offers a larger storage capacity for paid plans and integrates seamlessly with Microsoft's ecosystem, while Proton Mail prioritizes security and privacy with end-to-end encryption and Swiss-based servers.
Both offer spam filtering and mobile apps, but Proton Mail's custom domain support is limited to paid plans, whereas Outlook includes it in certain business plans.
Proton Mail provides stronger data privacy, while Outlook integrates deeply with Microsoft services.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	Outlook	Proton Mail
Email storage capacity	Free Outlook.com accounts: 15 GB of email storage. Microsoft 365 subscribers: 100 GB. Microsoft 365 Basic: 50 GB.	Free plan: Up to 1 GB. Mail Plus: 15 GB. Proton Unlimited: 500 GB. Family Plan: 3 TB.
Spam filtering effectiveness	Effective spam filtering with Focused Inbox and Sweep feature.	Multi-tiered protection system including IP address blacklists and Bayesian filters.
Security and encryption protocols	TLS, S/MIME, and Microsoft Purview Message Encryption (MPME).	End-to-end encryption, zero-access encryption, PGP support, AES and RSA algorithms, HTTPS, TLS, and two-factor authentication.
Mobile app availability and features	Available for iPhone, Android, and Windows Phone. Includes integrated calendar, customizable swipe gestures, and Focused inbox.	Available for Android and iOS. Offers most of the features available on the desktop version.
Custom domain support	Included in Microsoft 365 Business Basic plan.	Supported on paid plans; requires subscription and DNS configuration.
Integration with other apps and services	Integrates with Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, Salesforce, Zoom, Microsoft Office, To-Do, Skype, and OneNote.	Integrates with Proton VPN, Proton Drive, Proton Calendar, and Proton Pass. Can be used with third-party email clients via Proton Mail Bridge. Offers SimpleLogin browser extension.
Email organization tools (labels, folders, filters)	Folders, subfolders, categories, rules, and filtering options.	Folders, labels, and filters.
Calendar and task management features	Integrates seamlessly with tasks (Microsoft To Do) and calendar. Can drag an email into Tasks or Calendar.	Offers Proton Calendar with calendar sharing and send/receive invitations.
Offline access	Allows working with calendar, reading/replying to messages, and composing new messages offline. New Outlook client can start up without internet.	Available on Android app and desktop app for reading, drafting, and searching emails.
Customer support quality and availability	Microsoft offers support resources (quality not directly addressed).	Limited customer support on the free plan. Paid plans offer more dedicated support. Priority support for Proton Unlimited users.
Data privacy policies	Not directly addressed in the search results.	Data stored in encrypted format on servers in Switzerland or Germany. Adheres to Swiss privacy laws. Collects minimal user information.
Pricing	Microsoft 365 Personal: $69.99/year ($6.99/month). Microsoft 365 Family: $99.99/year ($9.99/month). Business plans available.	Free plan available. Mail Plus: $3.99/month. Proton Unlimited: $9.99/month. Family Plan: From $19.99/month. Business Plans starting at $7.99/user/month.

Overall Comparison

Outlook: 15 GB free storage, integrates with Microsoft 365. Proton Mail: End-to-end encryption, servers in Switzerland, up to 3 TB storage on family plan.

Pros and Cons

Outlook

Pros:

Effective spam filtering
Robust security measures
Feature-rich mobile app
Custom domain support
Seamless integration with other apps and services
Comprehensive email organization tools
Integrated calendar and task management
Offline access

Cons:

Customer support quality not directly addressed in the search results
Data privacy policies not directly addressed in the search results

Proton Mail

Pros:

Effective spam filtering
Strong security and encryption
Mobile app availability
Custom domain support (paid plans)
Integration with other Proton services
Email organization tools
Calendar and task management features
Offline access (Android and desktop)
Data privacy focused

Cons:

Limited customer support on free plan
Custom domain support only on paid plans

User Experiences and Feedback

Outlook

What Users Love

Clean inbox due to effective spam filtering
Focused Inbox separates important emails
Sweep feature manages unwanted emails
TLS encryption for email communications
S/MIME encrypts email contents
MPME encrypts messages and attachments end-to-end
Mobile app includes integrated calendar and Focused inbox
Mobile app allows scheduling emails and scanning business cards
Integration with Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, Salesforce, and Zoom
Connection with Microsoft Office, To-Do, OneDrive, Skype, and OneNote
Integration with 1000+ apps using automation tools
Folders, subfolders, categories, rules, and filtering options for email organization
Seamless integration with tasks and calendar
Offline access to calendar, messages, and composing new messages
New Outlook client can start up without internet connection

Common Complaints

No major complaints reported.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

Proton Mail

What Users Love

Effective spam filtering
Strong security measures
Mobile app offers most desktop features
Custom domain support available
Integrates well with other apps and services
Offers email organization tools
Calendar and task management features available
Offline access available

Common Complaints

Limited customer support on the free plan

Value Perception

Offers a range of pricing options to cater to different needs. There's a Free plan with basic features, while paid plans include Plus, Professional, and Visionary. Additionally, ProtonMail provides business pricing with Mail Essentials, Business, and a customizable Enterprise plan.