Fastmail, launched in 1999, is one of the oldest 

—probably because it is not free—it still has a loyal user base. 

 was launched in 2014 and quickly rose as a 

The Fastmail vs. ProtonMail comparison is based on various factors that can make or break the overall user experience. 

We have prepared this guide to help you make an objective choice after analyzing the two services across relevant categories, including:

ProtonMail vs. Fastmail—security and encryption

 is one of the primary reasons privacy-conscious users are exploring encrypted email service providers. Services with weak encryption standards put your messages at risk of unauthorized access during transit or after delivery. Both ProtonMail and Fastmail are 

 claiming to safeguard your messages from third parties, but their 

, which means your data is scrambled during transmission between 

TLS and SSL standards are used by all major email providers, 

While it safeguards your emails during transit, your data and 

 are still vulnerable when resting on Fastmail’s servers. 

Fastmail also creates and keeps the decryption keys to your messages, so any 

 its servers can steal them and access your emails.

The security protocols at ProtonMail are more advanced as the platform 

The messages are encrypted on the sender’s device and decrypted on the receiver’s end with a key created and stored by the user. This means no unauthorized third party—including the provider—can access them.

While ProtonMail implements stronger security than Fastmail, it is not without faults. 

 protocol that does not encrypt the subject line of emails and has demonstrated significant vulnerabilities in the past. 

If email security is your primary concern, you might want to look into some other E2EE services, such as 

, that offer more advanced end-to-end encryption.

ProtonMail vs. Fastmail—anonymity and data protection standards

Data integrity is an extension of security but needs to be reviewed separately as Fastmail and ProtonMail aim to attract privacy-focused users. Unlike common 

, neither service capitalizes on user data.

—ProtonMail and Fastmail allow setting up 2FA for secure logins with out-of-band verifications. It ensures your email account will be protected even if someone steals your login credentials

—Aliases hide your main email address and can be added and deleted at your convenience. Like 

, they can be used for signups on sketchy websites and help prevent spam and data mining. You can also use them as alternate business addresses

ProtonMail has the edge over Fastmail due to features like zero-knowledge login and 

The platform also offers tracking protection by removing trackers attached to marketing emails. Furthermore, ProtonMail is Swiss-based and answers to the country’s pro-privacy laws, while Fastmail is rooted in Australia, a 

ProtonMail and Fastmail provide all the basic benefits you expect from a reliable provider, including:

Besides these core similarities, the services focus on different productivity aspects.

The former prioritizes security, with features like self-destructing messages and built-in PhishGuard

phishing protection. It also offers a comprehensive product suite to streamline your workflow—by signing up for ProtonMail, you get access to an E2EE ecosystem that includes VPN and Drive for free.

Fastmail might appeal to users by offering more diverse features, such as:

—Fastmail allows users to perform multi-level text searches according to various parameters (similar to 

 and Gmail). ProtonMail’s search feature requires you to download all emails to your browser’s cache, which can be tedious

—Fastmail’s basic plan allows users to store 600+ aliases, although it may be unnecessarily generous. ProtonMail’s alias limit is under 10 for its cheapest subscription plan

Fastmail has a trainable spam filter that can classify messages as spam or non-spam according to your input. The platform also offers a snooze option for emails—which may interest 

 and productivity-focused users—but the feature is not available on webmail interfaces or to 

plan subscribers. Some Fastmail users expressed frustration over being unable to open 

Both providers have simple and clean interfaces that contribute to a satisfactory user experience.

Fastmail makes managing your inbox easier with features like threaded conversations and unlimited folder additions. 

The color customization tools help add a personal touch. Note that some users have complained about issues like delayed delivery and no image-zoom-in feature and felt that the user interface 

ProtonMail flaunts a modern dashboard with text grouping and theme customization options. 

You can also switch between column and row layouts depending on what works for you. While the provider has significantly modernized the user interface and provides an overall smooth email experience, a handful of users say 

 (loading or notification) with ProtonMail.

ProtonMail vs. Fastmail—pricing and value for money

ProtonMail has an obvious advantage over Fastmail because it offers a free tier with up to 1 GB of storage. A free user gets no aliases and can't send more than 150 messages a day.

ProtonMail’s paid tiers cost $5–$30 per month, offering unlimited messaging and up to:

, but you get a 30-day free trial on all plans.

 Here’s an outline of the comparative cost and features of the provider’s three plans:

*These are daily limits. Fastmail also has hourly and 10-minute limits for each plan.

Fastmail appears affordable overall, but users get a free plan and more generous paid plans with ProtonMail.

Still conflicted? Let’s make the choice easier!

Fastmail’s most unique feature is the option to choose over 600 aliases—it’s unlikely any provider can beat that. While it is a solid option, the provider might not be 

 along with a decent set of features that enhance your productivity. 

Unfortunately, the free tier is fairly restrictive, and even the most expensive paid plan caps the storage at 500 GB.

The solution is to look into alternative services that check all the boxes in terms of security, ease of use, affordability, and features.

is the perfect choice if you want a privacy-focused, end-to-end encrypted email service with rich features, a generous free plan, and a beautifully designed user interface.

E2EE ecosystem + feature-rich experience—get the best of both worlds with Skiff!

Skiff is an open source email service designed specifically for users who value the security and privacy of their online communication. The platform uses E2EE encryption to give you complete ownership over your messages and 

Skiff uses two keys to protect your emails from unauthorized access:

, distributed among recipients and used for encryption

, stored on the user’s device and used for decryption

Since the decryption keys are created by the user and stored on their device,

 your content is unreadable to intermediaries, 

The platform also offers excellent spam control and is built to resist all forms of phishing, impersonation, man-in-the-middle, user abuse, and 

 for more insight into the platform’s security model.

Besides an email service, Skiff provides a comprehensive 

Create and edit documents and collaborate with your team in real time with 

Store, download, upload, preview, and share your files, documents, and photos on 

Schedule your personal and professional events in a completely safe environment with 

 and access the platform's products free of charge.

Why choose Skiff over Fastmail and ProtonMail

Fastmail and ProtonMail are quality industry-leading services, but Skiff packs more innovative and advanced features than the two.

Here are a few benefits of switching to Skiff:

—Skiff does not collect personal data during logins. Users can enable 2FA for out-of-band login verifications

—The platform is available on browsers and Android, iOS, and macOS devices

—Skiff provides a straightforward and intuitive user interface that even new users won't have a problem navigating

—Skiff offers free aliases, tracker blockers, and other tools to protect your device, IP address, location, and personal information from prying eyes

—The platform offers up to 1 TB of storage and integrates with the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS), the largest decentralized 

. You can sign up for Skiff using your crypto wallet as login credentials

Skiff’s generous free plan gives users enough features to fulfill basic personal and professional needs. Some noteworthy free features include:

Fastmail vs. ProtonMail—a battle between the old and the new [objective review]

Billions of people use Gmail as their primary email service without questioning its security measures. With email communication being an integral part of today’s life, you must do everything in your power to protect your privacy.

Understanding your email service’s security levels is a solid first step. Unfortunately, 

providers often make bold promises regarding security, but not all live up to them.

 at first glance, but scratching the surface uncovers some practices many users aren’t comfortable with. To keep you informed, this guide will answer some important questions:

Is Gmail secure enough for an average user?

What security layers should you expect from an email service?

How to safeguard your data with a privacy-first email provider?

 have established themselves as the leading email services for personal and 

. The problem is, Big Tech platforms like these don’t focus much on users’ privacy or security.

which extend to all its products. Gmail does offer some degree of safety from malicious parties, but it doesn’t keep your data hidden from Google’s own team. This is why examining Gmail’s security involves a deeper look into what the platform does well and where it falls short.

Breaking down Gmail’s security features

 you should expect from every provider. All users get phishing protection, which Google claims can prevent over 99.9% of malware, spam, and phishing attempts.

which allows users to create passwords and protect confidential data while the message travels through the network. Even though this additional layer of security is useful, 

Creating passwords and sending them over 3rd party applications to 

 the message can be hijacked while traveling and cracked with a 

—an additional security layer requiring a one-time passcode sent to your phone. If someone gets ahold of your credentials, 2FA ensures they’re locked out without the passphrase.

Despite some decent safety features, Gmail suffers from a significant flaw—

 and other optional security methods, encryption is 

 most email clients have built in. It keeps your online communication confidential by turning plaintext into ciphertext that can only be decoded with a decryption key. While Google provides somewhat strong encryption for paid Google Workspace accounts, 

the free version offers an inferior encryption protocol

Gmail’s default encryption protocol is called 

 offer this type of encryption even though it’s not particularly secure. TLS offers 

 while the message travels from the sender to the recipient, which is known as encryption in transit.

only encrypted while traveling between the servers

, not while it’s resting on them. In case of a breach, there’s not much protection you can rely on to avoid your data leaking.

Encryption methods like TLS also don’t offer complete privacy

. Your data and encryption keys are stored on Gmail’s server, which is a significant vulnerability. Not only is your data at risk of being stolen in case of a breach, but 

the provider also has unrestricted access to it

The only way to get more protection is to 

—Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions.

The problem is that much like TLS, S/MIME won’t work unless both communicating parties support the protocol. The setup can also be quite inconvenient, as you must first get an S/MIME certificate and configure it manually before you can add it to Gmail.

With the above in mind, neither encryption standard supported by Gmail is ideal for privacy-focused users, especially those on a budget or people without extensive technical knowledge.

The encryption type to look for in an email provider

There are three encryption types commonly found in email providers:

 providers offer at-rest and in-transit encryption methods

. These encryption types protect your data at different points of communication. As you saw, encryption in transit only safeguards data during transport, so you also need encryption at rest to ensure your data is safe while being idle on the server.

Some providers implement both encryption types, advertising themselves as secure. This isn’t the case because the service still owns the decryption keys and stores them on its servers. This gives them access to plaintext email copies and exposes your data to numerous risks.

The best way to ensure full control over your data is by choosing a provider with end-to-end encryption.

Why end-to-end encryption is superior to other methods

End-to-end encryption is the gold standard of email security, keeping your correspondence safe from everyone—including the provider.

To help you understand how this encryption method ensures comprehensive safety, the following breakdown explains its mechanism at every stage of your correspondence:

While encryption in transit and at rest cipher your message once they reach the 

E2EE does it on your device before the message leaves it.

 The email reaches the server encrypted, so the provider can’t see the plaintext version because only you and the recipient have the key.

 that offers this level of security and confidentiality, 

Fortify your correspondence with Skiff Mail

 Mail is a privacy-first email provider using two separate keys to keep your data secure:

—Used to encrypt the message and shared between the sender and recipient

—Used for decryption into plaintext and stored on the user’s device

The platform doesn’t store or have access to user data or login credentials

 without leaving any personal information and enjoy complete confidentiality.

offers two-factor authentication using the Authenticator app

, you can generate security codes with the app to 

Skiff is transparent about its privacy and security practices

 for a detailed overview of its measures. It’s also 

The platform’s numerous security measures are 

packed in a modern, user-friendly interface

. You don’t need to download any additional software or manually configure certificates to secure your email—end-to-end encryption and other safety measures are active by default.

three end-to-end encrypted products besides Mail

, keeping the documents on your shared workspace end-to-end encrypted and completely secure

 and offers optional integration with InterPlanetary File System (IPFS), the largest decentralized storage solution

. It keeps all appointments encrypted so that only members can see them and lets you host video conferences

For safe and anonymous file sharing and communication, 

Skiff integrates with some of the best-known crypto wallets:

 includes numerous useful features, most notably:

Besides the free plan, Skiff offers three 

The following table shows what each plan provides so that you can choose the one that matches your needs:

Get started with Skiff and create a secure workflow

If you want to level up your online security, you can get started with Skiff in three quick steps:

If you’re coming from Gmail or another provider, you can transfer your conversations and data to Skiff using the platform’s 

, so you can enjoy complete privacy from day one.

While E2EE is among the strongest encryption standards a 

it can’t protect you if your device has already been 

You should always use antivirus software and strong passwords to 

. To avoid phishing attempts, only open links and download files from credible and trustworthy sources.

Is Gmail secure? A deep dive into Google’s privacy practices

In this blog, we’ll cover the best email hosting services

 for small businesses and startups. From big tech offerings, such as Google Workspace and Microsoft Outlook, to smaller but rising products, including Zoho Mail and Skiff Mail, every product offers different feature sets, privacy levels, and interfaces. After choosing a product that suits your business’ collaboration and cloud storage needs, it’s critical to ensure your product is properly set up and secured alongside your web hosting solution (such as Wordpress hosting, Squarespace, or Webflow).

Having an email service with a custom domain, the ability to add multiple users, and a robust productivity suite is one of the first steps to setting up a new business, and we hope this blog helps. Using an existing email service provider has significantly greater ease of use than setting up your own email servers (using Amazon AWS or Rackspace), with built-in antivirus or anti-phishing software, office suite products, and plenty of email storage.

Ultimately, we highly encourage you try Skiff Mail for its privacy-respecting features, generous free plan, and low-cost storage storage for a complete email and collaboration solution.

Email hosting is a service that provides businesses and individuals with a secure and reliable way to manage their email communications - a necessity for internal communications, external meetings, customer support, and so much more. When a business or individual signs up for an email hosting service, they are provided with a unique email address and access to a web-based interface that allows them to send and receive email messages from their business account.

The email hosting service is responsible for managing the underlying infrastructure and technology that makes email communication possible. This includes maintaining servers and other hardware that are used to store and process email messages, as well as implementing security measures to protect businesses' and individuals' data from unauthorized access.

When a user sends an email message using their email hosting account, the message is first sent to the email hosting service's servers, where it is stored until the recipient retrieves it. When the recipient checks their email, the message is transferred from the email hosting service's servers to their email client (such as Microsoft Outlook or Apple Mail) and displayed on their computer or mobile device.

The email hosting service also manages the various technical details involved in sending and receiving email messages, such as routing messages to the correct servers and ensuring that messages are delivered to the correct recipients. This allows businesses and individuals to focus on using email to communicate and collaborate, without worrying about the technical details of servers, uptime, or managing hosting packages.

In addition to providing businesses and individuals with a secure and reliable way to manage their email communications, email hosting services often offer a range of additional features and tools, such as support for multiple email accounts, customizable filters and rules, and integration with other business applications. This can make email hosting a valuable tool for businesses and individuals looking to improve their email management and productivity.

We’ll start with big tech solutions, of which Google and Microsoft offer products that are intended for businesses. Yahoo and other consumer email products are not as well suited for business use, particularly given weak privacy and virus protections. In the final part of this blog, we’ll cover 

that offer more secure hosting plans, as well as built-in security features such as end-to-end encryption.

There are a number of reasons why a small business might want to use GSuite, including the following:

Google Workspace and Gmail offer a variety of tools and services that can help small businesses manage their operations more efficiently, including multiple products in the work suite (such as Google Docs and Google Drive).

Google Workspace/GSuite allows businesses to access these tools and services from, which can be particularly useful for small businesses with employees who work remotely or any device, who need to access business data while on the go.

Google Workspace integrates with a number of other popular business tools and services, including Salesforce, Slack, and Trello, which can help businesses streamline their operations and improve collaboration. The products also have built in anti-malware and anti-spam.

However, there are also some potential drawbacks to using GSuite for a small business, including the following:

Google Workspace is a cloud-based service, which means that businesses need to have a reliable internet connection in order to access and use the tools and services it offers. This may not be feasible for businesses in areas with limited or unreliable internet access.

Google Workspace is not always as customizable as some other business tools and services, which can be a disadvantage for businesses that have specific needs or preferences.

Google Workspaceuite may not be suitable for businesses that handle sensitive or highly confidential data, as it is not as secure as some other options that offer more robust security features and controls.

Google Workspace may not be the most cost-effective option for businesses that have very limited budgets or that only need a few of the tools and services it offers.

In general, whether or not Google Workspace is the right choice for a small business will depend on the specific needs and priorities of that business. It is worth considering the pros and cons carefully before making a decision. If you need a solution for email marketing in your business as well, Gmail could be an appropriate solution.

There are a number of reasons why a small business might want to use Outlook, including the following:

Outlook is a well-known and widely used email and calendar application, which can make it easy for businesses to integrate it with other tools and services they use.

Outlook offers a range of features and tools that can help small businesses manage their email communications and schedule more efficiently, including support for multiple accounts, customizable filters and rules, and integration with other Microsoft business applications.

Outlook offers strong collaboration features, including the ability to share calendars and contacts, which can help small businesses improve communication and coordination among their employees.

Outlook is available as part of the Microsoft Office app suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), which can be a cost-effective option for businesses that need multiple tools and services.

However, there are also some potential drawbacks to using Outlook for a small business, including the following:

Outlook may not have all of the advanced features and capabilities that some businesses require, such as support for large attachments or specialized tools for managing email campaigns.

Outlook may not be as customizable or user-friendly as some other email and calendar applications, which can be a disadvantage for businesses that have specific needs or preferences for add-ons.

Outlook's customer support may not be as responsive or comprehensive as some businesses would like, which can be a disadvantage for businesses that need help or assistance with their email and calendar service.

Overall, whether or not Outlook is the right choice for a small business will depend on the specific needs and priorities of that business. It is worth considering the pros and cons carefully before making a decision.

There are a number of reasons why a small business might want to use Zoho Mail, including the following:

Zoho Mail offers a range of features and tools that can help small businesses manage their email communications more efficiently, including support for multiple domains, customizable filters and rules, and integration with other Zoho business applications.

Zoho Mail is affordable, with affordable prices that are designed to be flexible and scalable to meet the needs of small businesses.

Zoho Mail offers a number of collaboration features in the basic plan, including shared calendars and contacts, which can help small businesses improve communication and coordination among their employees.

However, there are also some potential drawbacks to using Zoho Mail for a small business, including the following:

Zoho Mail is a cloud-based service, which means that businesses need to have a reliable internet connection in order to access and use the features it offers. This may not be feasible for businesses in areas with limited or unreliable internet access.

Zoho Mail may not have all of the advanced features and capabilities that some businesses require, such as support for large attachments or specialized tools for managing email campaigns. It does have a huge attachment feature, however, for raising attachment limits.

Zoho Mail may not be as well known or widely used as some other email services, which can make it more difficult for businesses to integrate it with other tools and services they use.

Zoho Mail's customer support may not be as responsive or comprehensive as some businesses would like, which can be a disadvantage for businesses that need help or assistance with their email service.

Skiff Mail is an end-to-end encrypted, privacy-first email service and productivity suite. Out of the options on this list, it is significantly more secure and private, as only you have access to your data. We’ll lay out some of the products that Skiff offers and how they may compare to Outlook, Google Workspace, Zoho, and other alternatives.

only end-to-end encrypted provider on this list

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