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Is Proton Mail safe to use?

Safe

Yes. Proton Mail encrypts your inbox so Proton itself can't read it, though like any company it must follow Swiss court orders.

Checked October 2026

Quick facts

Owned by
Proton AG
Based in
Geneva, Switzerland
Encryption
End-to-end between Proton users and for password-protected emails; everything else is stored with zero-access encryption. Subject lines are not end-to-end encrypted.
Data it collects
Account email, recovery details if you add them, and connection logs only when a Swiss court orders it.
Minimum age
13+ (varies by country)

What keeps you safe

  • Open-source apps that have been independently audited.
  • Zero-access encryption: Proton can't read stored emails.
  • No ads and no email scanning for ads.

Risks to know about

  • Swiss courts can order Proton to log IP addresses of specific accounts; this happened to a French activist in 2021.
  • Email subjects and sender/recipient addresses aren't end-to-end encrypted.
  • Emails to non-Proton addresses aren't end-to-end encrypted unless you password-protect them.

Scams to watch for on Proton Mail

  • Phishing emails pretending to be Proton support asking you to "verify" your account.

Is Proton Mail legit?

Proton Mail is legit and run by Proton AG, the company behind Proton VPN.

Is it safe for kids?

Proton Mail has no parental controls.

How to use Proton Mail safely

  1. Turn on two-factor authentication.

  2. Set a recovery phrase and store it offline.

  3. Use the Tor address or a VPN if your IP address must stay private.

Where Proton Mail is restricted

Does a VPN make Proton Mail safer?

Partly. A VPN hides your IP address and protects you on public Wi-Fi. It can't stop Proton Mail collecting data or scammers messaging you.

Picked for privacy and getting messages through.

Proton VPN

Swiss-based with open-source apps and a free tier, plus a Stealth protocol for restrictive networks.

For strict networks: the Stealth protocol.

Try Proton VPN

Private Internet Access

Open-source apps, unlimited devices and servers in every US state, at a low price.

For strict networks: the Shadowsocks proxy option.

Try Private Internet Access

ExpressVPN

Obfuscation is switched on automatically on every server, so there is no special mode to find.

For strict networks: automatic obfuscation (with the protocol on Automatic).

Try ExpressVPN
Not sure about these three? See 3 more VPNs NordVPN, Surfshark and CyberGhost

NordVPN

Largest network of the six, with the NordWhisper protocol for networks that inspect traffic.

For strict networks: NordWhisper or obfuscated servers.

Try NordVPN

Surfshark

Unlimited devices on one plan, with NoBorders mode that switches on in restrictive regions.

For strict networks: NoBorders mode.

Try Surfshark

CyberGhost

Servers labelled for specific streaming services and a 45-day refund window on longer plans.

For strict networks: a nearby server (CyberGhost has no stealth mode).

Try CyberGhost

We earn a commission if you buy a VPN through our links. It never changes what we report as blocked. How we pick and how we make money

Questions people ask

Is Proton Mail safe to use?

Yes. Proton Mail encrypts your inbox so Proton itself can't read it, though like any company it must follow Swiss court orders.

Is Proton Mail legit?

Proton Mail is legit and run by Proton AG, the company behind Proton VPN.

Is Proton Mail encrypted?

End-to-end between Proton users and for password-protected emails; everything else is stored with zero-access encryption. Subject lines are not end-to-end encrypted.

What data does Proton Mail collect?

Account email, recovery details if you add them, and connection logs only when a Swiss court orders it.

Is Proton Mail safe for kids?

Proton Mail has no parental controls.

Does a VPN make Proton Mail safer?

Partly. A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts traffic on public Wi-Fi, so your network and ISP can't see what you do on Proton Mail. It does not stop Proton Mail itself from collecting data, and it does not protect you from scams inside the app.

Sources