Unfortunately, email addresses can be hacked if a cybercriminal is determined enough, allowing them to invade your privacy. While many email service providers have security measures in place, some have better protection than the rest. Zoho Mail and ProtonMail are two big names in this field. But what is the best option?
Below we will cover the standard features of Zoho Mail and ProtonMail. We will also focus on safety because it is a serious matter in any workplace. Read on for all the details.
What is Zoho Mail?
Zoho Mail is part of the Zoho Workplace suite of productivity tools, which includes online word processors, presentation software, and more. It is designed for collaboration, as all teams can work on a project without interruptions. Many teams choose Zoho Mail when they want to keep everything within one platform.
What is ProtonMail?
proton mail is a highly secure email service founded in Switzerland, a country with strict privacy laws. It’s a young company, launched in 2014, but it still ranks high in security and privacy, where many other email clients fail. People who want to send secure emails often choose ProtonMail.
Characteristics
These are some of the unique features that Zoho Mail and ProtonMail offer.
Zoho Mail
Zoho Mail offers many advanced features for collaboration and communication, some of which go beyond emails. See the list below.
- Offline mode
- Active sync
- Grades
- Domain aliases
- Custom login
- Access to Zoho Workplace
While many email clients don’t work without an Internet connection, Zoho Mail allows you to view emails offline. You need to be connected to the Internet before it shuts down, but checking all currently available emails is a big plus for people who lose their Internet connection.
Zoho Mail allows team members to create notes, which are useful methods to communicate instantly. Instead of a full email, it’s like handing everyone an online sticky note.
There is support for domain aliases, allowing emails to go from a new domain to an old one. That way, you will be able to receive all emails even after changing domains.
Unlike some services, you can create a custom login URL for Zoho Mail. This URL can be hidden from others to prevent unauthorized access.
Of course, if you pay for the enterprise plans, you will be able to use Zoho Workplace and all its productivity tools.
proton mail
Below is a list of unique ProtonMail features that you won’t find anywhere else.
- No logs policy
- Self-destructing emails
- Shortened domain addresses
- Free Proton VPN account
- proton calendar
By default, ProtonMail doesn’t keep logs of every time you log in. Therefore, you can send and receive emails without anyone knowing their content. Not even ProtonMail knows what’s in your inbox.
If you’re wondering if emails can be deleted once sent, ProtonMail has the answer. You can send self-destructing emails that delete themselves after a certain period passes. It also works with any email provider and almost looks like something out of a spy movie.
Typing a full domain may be too much trouble for users, but ProtonMail has a feature that allows you to change domain names to shorter ones. You can receive messages from shorter domains, but replying like these domains is a premium feature.
ProtonMail users who sign up also get a free Proton VPN account to keep their internet activity private. It’s a great way to stay anonymous on the web, where cybercriminals and even hostile countries record your every move.
Proton Calendar is a calendar protected by end-to-end encryption, similar to ProtonMail and Proton VPN. It is another tool that you get and comes with all ProtonMail accounts. Like all calendar apps, it allows you to structure your schedule in advance.
Although ProtonMail’s features are amazing, it is important to note that it is not designed to be a collaboration platform.
Security
These are the security ratings for Zoho Mail and ProtonMail. Obviously, the latter has several natural advantages, but Zoho Mail’s security is not ineffective either. You can rely on it for business emails.
Zoho Mail
These are the security features of Zoho Mail:
- Encryption at rest
- Encryption when sending
- Password protection for emails
- S/MIME encryption
- TLS encryption
These are fairly standard features for secure email, although S/MIME is less common. With Zoho Mail, you can rest assured that it takes extra effort to break security barriers and you’ll still be able to collaborate with your teammates.
proton mail
ProtonMail security includes all of the above except S/MIME encryption. Instead, it has PGP encryption, TLS encryption, and zero access protection. In short, in addition to being protected, no one can read the content at all.
If someone wants to physically access ProtonMail’s servers, they must travel to Switzerland and infiltrate a bunker 1,000 meters underground. It is not an easy task and few people are brave enough or crazy enough to try it.
Because all ProtonMail servers are in Switzerland, the UK and US cannot ask the provider to reveal the content of the email. While Swiss authorities have achieved this, information is still limited.
Naturally, ProtonMail’s security solutions are quite overkill for standard office workers. However, they are suitable for people who want secret communication.
Prices
These are the pricing plans for Zoho Mail and ProtonMail.
Zoho Mail
All prices are for one user. The plans are:
- Free plan
- Mail Lite: $1 per month
- Premium Email: $4 per month
- Workplace: $3/month
Workplace allows you to use all the tools instantly. Your team will appreciate having everything within a single platform.
proton mail
These are the ProtonMail pricing plans:
- proton free
- Mail Essentials: $6.99/month
- Business: $10.99/month
- Business: Contact ProtonMail to discuss
Paying more gives you access to some collaboration tools, but they don’t meet Zoho Workplace standards. Most of the benefits are for safety and convenience.
Zoho Mail wins
Zoho Mail is the ultimate winner when it comes to collaboration and teamwork, as it offers tools for this exact purpose. On the other hand, ProtonMail’s security is unmatched and some users prefer this over word processing. Therefore, it is essential to choose the email provider that best suits your needs.