Private email providers
Vote for Proton Mail... 3+ years now, and I put all my clients on it too... Used to run my own email servers in data centers... now just use proton... rock solid! :)
wuku depending on your usage case, you can also use an email aliasing service. SimpleLogin works well, provides bidirectional emailing, and is integrated with (and owned by) Proton(Mail).
I also like that you can configure it with a PGP key so that the forwarded messages (to your hidden address) will be encrypted.
Like Signal and other encrypted messaging apps, it works best if your frequent contacts also use it. So, I recommend considering that, too. If your main contacts use Proton then it would probably be best to also use Proton.
- Edited
Email aliases is kind of a big deal and quite powerful when it comes to masking your identity while using email. Having many emails all managed from one account is amazingly powerful and convenient in dealing with some of the privacy issues of email.
I recommend you look at which service offers better aliasing and email masking options. I think tutanota is better priced in this regard, but proton has more features.
Tutanota and proton are probably first choice, but di look around there is a few others, but not that many.
Think long term.
Maybe mailbox.org is interesting for you.
You can also use your own domain, with this service.
I use french Laposte.net and am very satisfied.
[deleted]
German's Posteo !
Proton for me, of course.
- Edited
I would second Posteo.
Its private, discrete, has SMTP support and unlimited aliases (10 cents per month for each) with the ability to choose any domain for each alias (posteo.de, posteo.co.uk, posteo.com, posteo.fr, etc etc etc).
They also have a Crypto option that basically encrypts the whole mailbox at rest plus they provide all other popular perks (tls sending guarantee, incoming encryption with your keys, key server, etc).
Posteo is my favorite
- Edited
My main concern with Proton is that their Terms seems to be too strict and I was reading many reviews that they might suddenly block mailbox access with no reason. There are many threads on Reddit and web. Also, their Terms say they might block access to mailbox account if its accessed by VPN (except their own VPN) which is also a big issue for me as I am using Mullvad VPN: https://proton.me/support/compromised-account-temporarily-locked
There were cases when people complained that their accounts got blocked for no good reason and Proton did not unblock them.
This really held me back as I did not want to end up with a blocked email address for no reason.
Also, as Proton is a popular choice, I personally think it might be more targeted by dodgy people who will aim to attack/hack it hence its more strict.
With Posteo, its much more flexible - you just use your mailbox as normal with no issues. And its cheap too.
I also like when a company concentrates on 1 product only (like Mullvad is only offering VPN or Posteo is only offering Email services) rather than when its offering a number of different services. It kinda puts me back.
The only thing that I don't like about Posteo is their ugly web interface (Proton is much nicer) but I use Thunderbird/FairMail so don't care about it much.
This is my own opinion and arguments so please take it with a grain of salt.
Been using this since it's inception. Recommend it highly.
[deleted]
Volen
please note that there is no .com option.
I second Posteo.
Volen Proton will lock out people abusing their Terms Of Service. As all companies would.
I never tried Proton and cannot comment on this. But my own concern was that their Terms clearly say they can restrict/block access if using a VPN (except their VPN) which is a major issue for me as I am using Mullvad. So I never used Proton.
I have experience with Posteo and very happy with them so can recommend it to anyone.
Volen But my own concern was that their Terms clearly say they can restrict/block access if using a VPN (except their VPN)
Where do you see this in their Terms of Service? The version dated March 15, 2023, contains no such restriction. It only mentions "VPN" once as part of "Proton VPN" and there is no mention of "proxy", either.
Using a VPN could trigger account actions due to point 7, but that is very much implied and not "clearly" stated.
- Having multiple free Accounts (e.g. creating bulk signups, creating and/or operating a large number of free Accounts for a single organization or individual);
- Edited
Volen Also, their Terms say they might block access to mailbox account if its accessed by VPN (except their own VPN) which is also a big issue for me as I am using Mullvad VPN: https://proton.me/support/compromised-account-temporarily-locked
Ahh. I see what you're talking about now. This isn't in their Terms of Service. It's their security mechanisms locking out an account due to suspicious activity.
The full statement is:
It is also possible for our automated systems to lock you out of your account in error. This can happen if you use another VPN service (not Proton VPN), Tor, or if you are on the same network as someone who has been blocked by Proton for violating our terms and conditions (for example, if you use your work or college WiFi).
They also state that you should be able to recover your account with your configured recovery contact information.
Before logging in to your account, you may be asked to enter a code sent to your recovery email address or phone number
None of this strikes me as particularly different from other major email providers and their protections against account compromise. It does indicate some level of tracking "normal" behavior or traffic for an account. So, perhaps your threat model is against this and that's okay.
I think it's incorrect to claim that simple VPN usage is against their Terms of Service. A concern, yes, but not a clear violation.