Most secure email providers in 2025: Protect your privacy now

In our increasingly technological world, email is the go-to means of communication for many people. Whether you’re reaching out to friends, family, or colleagues, email makes it quick and easy to get in touch. There are numerous email providers to choose from, differing in several key areas, like speed, features, and performance.

They also differ in security, with some email inboxes being much more secure and private than others. So, if digital privacy is one of your top concerns, you’ll most likely want to work with an email provider that prioritizes security. This guide looks at four of the most secure providers on the market.

What makes an email provider secure?

Secure email providers make the privacy, security, and integrity of their users’ data and identities their top priority. They bolster their email systems with features and protections to make communications more secure, reducing the risk of phishing attacks, unauthorized access, and other security concerns.

Here are some key features that separate secure email providers from the rest:

• End-to-end encryption: Secure email providers typically encrypt every email you send as it travels from sender to recipient. Thanks to that, only you and the person you send your message to can access and read the content contained within, and anyone trying to spy on your emails will have a much harder time doing so. However, keep in mind this end-to-end encryption only works when both the sender and recipient use the same provider or a compatible encryption standard.
• Zero-access encryption: With zero-access encryption, your email provider stores your emails in encrypted form but doesn’t hold the decryption keys—meaning it can’t read your messages, even if it wanted to. While this might sound like a basic privacy feature, many major providers, including Gmail and Outlook, retain access to the encryption keys, giving them full access to your inbox content.
• Authentication protocols: Email authentication protocols have various roles, like ensuring that emails are sent from authorized senders and making sure they aren’t tampered with on their way to the recipient.
• Phishing and spam filters: Unsecure email inboxes often get flooded with unsolicited, unwanted messages (spam) and even phishing emails, designed to trick you into giving away personal information. However, the most secure providers have filters in place to spot these messages and remove or flag them automatically.
• Anti-malware: Viruses and other forms of malware may also be sent as attachments in email messages. This is another way in which bad actors target unsuspecting victims. The best secure email providers have systems in place to scan and spot malware or malicious files and alert users about any suspicious messages.
• Secure logins: To log into almost any email, you need to enter your address and a password. But the most secure providers go further than that, adding additional secure access controls and features like two-factor authentication, where you have to enter an additional code or use biometric data to access your account.
• Privacy policies: As touched on earlier, some of the big email providers, including Gmail and Outlook, may access and use your personal data for personalization. Secure email providers, however, value user privacy and have policies in place to limit their access and usage of your data.

In addition, some secure email providers offer even more security-centric features for your convenience, like secure file storage and sharing, alias email addresses to help you have more control over your inbox, and encrypted calendars.

How to choose the most secure email service

At a time when many cyberattacks take place over email and more and more people are concerned about their online privacy, having a secure email service makes a lot of sense. Investing in one of these services can help you enjoy more peace of mind when sending and receiving emails, both personally and professionally.

However, with multiple secure email providers to pick from, the right choice isn’t always obvious. You may hesitate between multiple providers, especially those that appear to offer very similar levels of service, encryption, and security features. The following tips and tricks will help you narrow down your options and hone in on the best service for you.

Consider encryption standards

Encryption is one of the most critical components of any secure email service. This is what makes your messages more secure as they travel across cyberspace to your recipient. However, there are varying levels of encryption, with some being much more advanced and comprehensive than others.

Look for providers that offer both end-to-end and zero-access encryption as standard. End-to-end encryption safeguards your messages and any attachments you send to contacts, so only you and they should be able to see them. Zero-access, meanwhile, prevents the email provider from taking a peek at your inbox as and when they want.

Pay close attention to the type of encryption used. The strongest encryption schemes typically use AES-256 to secure message content and a key exchange algorithm that supports perfect forward secrecy (PFS) to ensure that even if a private key is compromised in the future, past communications remain secure. Some providers even encrypt metadata like subject lines for added protection. The better the encryption, the less risk of anyone being able to intercept or read your messages without your approval.

Review privacy policies and data handling

As touched on earlier, email providers can differ widely in the small print. Some have policies and rules in place that effectively allow them to decrypt your communications and look through your inbox, read your emails, or even collect personal data and share it with other companies without you knowing.

If you want a secure and private email provider, seek out those that have strict policies in place regarding the collection and usage of your data. The best providers will vow to never collect, store, share, or sell your data without your express permission.

They will also comply with major data usage regulations, like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which provides data privacy rights for people across the European Union and European Economic Area.

Many secure providers also publish transparency reports or warrant canaries to inform users about government data requests or surveillance attempts.

User interface and experience

The general user experience also matters when selecting a secure email provider. You don’t want one that offers strong security and privacy features but has an awkward, obtuse interface that makes life difficult when you’re trying to read messages, contact your friends and colleagues, or find a specific file or email from your inbox.

Instead, the top email providers put just as much effort into crafting seamless, convenient user experiences as they do into safeguarding their users. They have smart, user-friendly interfaces, with clear menus and fluid navigation systems that make it simple to do what you want to do, from the basics like sending a message to more advanced tasks like updating your calendar.

Think about how and on which devices you want to access your emails, also. The best providers won’t just deliver on desktop but also offer excellent mobile apps or mobile browser-friendly versions of their services, with the same consistent, high-quality functionality across every platform.

Customer support and value

Lastly, don’t forget to review what level of customer support each provider has to offer. You may need to reach out to support at various stages while using your new email provider, for troubleshooting assistance, for example. The best providers offer responsive, friendly, and helpful support on numerous channels.

You may have to pay for full access to many of the best secure email providers, but some offer much better value for money than others. Review their pricing plans to see how they compare. Many offer free plans with a good range of features or paid plans with useful extras, like secure cloud storage, support for additional email addresses, and other security features like the option to create unlimited email aliases.

Privacy-friendly location

It’s also worth taking a look at where each secure email provider is based. There are many that operate in Europe, others in North America, and some in other parts of the world. The reason this matters is that different countries have different rules and laws around privacy and data protection.

Often, the most secure email providers are situated in countries that have excellent standards of data privacy, with policies in place to prevent misuse of that data. Some examples of these countries include EU member states and Switzerland, which—although not part of the EU—has some of the strongest data privacy laws in the world. Companies in other countries may not have the same obligations to safeguard your data.

The top secure email providers for 2025

There are several excellent secure email providers out there, but we’re here to highlight the very best options, with four key contenders. Let’s take a closer look at each one in turn, exploring its features, pros, cons, and pricing plans, so you can make an informed choice for your future email security.

1. Proton Mail: Best overall secure email provider

Proton Mail has topped numerous lists of the most secure email providers for several years now and remains one of the safest and most private options for those who wish to prioritize their online security.

There are numerous aspects that elevate this email provider above the competition. Firstly, it offers end-to-end PGP encryption, so your emails are protected as they travel to other Proton Mail users. And if your contacts don’t use the same provider, you can choose the password-protected email option. This way, your recipient receives a secure, encrypted link to access the email, and they have to enter a password to read it, so it’s exceptionally secure.

However, Proton Mail does not encrypt email metadata—such as sender and recipient addresses, timestamps, and subject lines—due to standard email protocol limitations.

On the plus side, this provider has zero-access encryption, meaning it can’t access your emails or inbox, and it uses open-source encryption algorithms and an open-source web client. That means that all of the code is available for inspection and auditing purposes, and Proton Mail has been independently audited by third parties and deemed highly secure on many occasions.

The company behind Proton Mail is based in Switzerland, a country renowned for its strict privacy and data protection laws. Thanks to this, there is very little chance of anyone, even government agencies, being able to see or use your data.

There are also many additional security-focused features included with Proton Mail accounts, like two-factor authentication for safer logins, tracking prevention to stop advertisers tracking your email activities, and even the option to “self-destruct” emails after set times. The Proton Bridge feature also lets you log in to Proton Mail securely using the likes of Outlook and Apple Mail.

Features

• End-to-end encryption
• Zero-access encryption
• Security logs
• 24/7 threat detection with Proton Sentinel
• Two-factor authentication
• Password-protected emails
• Self-destructing emails
• Tracking protection
• Easy Switch for one-click migration if switching to Proton Mail from another service
• Hide-my-email aliases
• Spam and phishing blocking
• One-click unsubscribe

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Comprehensive encryption
• A myriad of privacy and security features
• Based in a country with strong privacy protections
• Free plan available for personal use
• Relatively easy to set up or migrate to
• Works well with other Proton products and services

Cons:

• Does not end-to-end encrypt subject lines
• Many features and resources are locked behind a paywall
• Some limitations even on high-end plans, such as 15 email addresses maximum on Proton Unlimited

2. Tuta Mail: Best for privacy-focused users

Secure, private, and ad-free, Tuta Mail stands out in the field of secure email providers for its privacy-oriented design and innovative features. It also offers a relatively simple interface, making it easy to work with across multiple platforms.

Like Proton Mail, Tuta Mail uses end-to-end encryption, so your email contents are encrypted before they even leave your device and remain that way until they arrive with your recipient. That makes it far less likely that anyone can intercept or spy on your messages’ contents.

Tuta Mail also encrypts not just the contents of the email but also the metadata and subject lines, offering deeper protection than most providers.

Additionally, all of its encryption algorithms are open-source, and Tuta Mail has invested in quantum-safe encryption by developing its own proprietary protocol, TutaCrypt. So, even in the future, if quantum computers are ever used for hacking or unauthorized access to email accounts, your content should stay safe.

This company is based in Germany, which is another country that has strong data protection laws and follows the European Union’s GDPR data protection regulations. Additional features, like spam and phishing protection, plus encrypted search for finding messages and files, round off the Tuta Mail package.

Features

• End-to-end encryption
• Encrypted calendar
• Zero-knowledge encryption
• Tracking protection
• Spam and phishing protection
• Custom email address domains
• Email aliases
• Secure password resets
• Android and iOS apps
• Post-quantum encryption
• Two-factor authentication
• Email import/export
• Secure email search

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Strong encryption standards
• Open-source and independently audited
• Future-proof to guard against emerging technologies
• An eco-friendly choice, as Tuta uses renewable energy
• Strong filters to catch spam and phishing messages
• No third-party ads or services built-in

Cons:

• Free plan has strict resource limitations
• Can be a bit slow, especially when using the secure search feature
• Doesn’t have any bulk contact import feature
• Blocked in some countries
• User support can be slow to respond and there’s no phone or live chat assistance

3. StartMail: Simplified secure email

Like other top secure email providers, StartMail makes user privacy and data integrity core pillars of its design. It has no tracking, no profiling, and no ads, and it lets its users send encrypted emails to all of their contacts with some of the strictest privacy regulations underpinning the entire service.

StartMail is based in the Netherlands, which is subject to GDPR regulations regarding data privacy, storage, and management. This provides valuable peace of mind for users.

StartMail uses OpenPGP encryption, which secures your emails in transit and at rest. However, unlike some providers, it manages your encryption keys for you—which means StartMail can technically decrypt your messages if needed. This setup allows for features like password-protected emails and easier usability, but it also means it does not offer true zero-access encryption.

StartMail also allows you to create unlimited email aliases on demand, which you can use to protect your identity and avoid spam.

This provider is notable for its ease of use—whether you’re migrating contacts from another service, integrating with Outlook or Apple Mail, setting an automatic response, or using the one-click encryption to protect your next message, everything is straightforward and beginner-friendly.

Features

• PGP encryption
• Unlimited email aliases
• Flexible cloud storage
• Password-protected emails
• Email and contact migration
• Custom domains
• One-click burner addresses
• Instant email deletion
• Malicious link protection
• Spam filters
• Two-factor authentication
• Multiple account recovery options
• Inbox customization
• Advanced email search
• Inbox filters
• Auto-responses

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Strong encryption and password protection for your emails
• No ads or tracking to worry about
• Lots of ways to customize your inbox the way you want it
• Beginner-friendly design
• Plenty of cloud storage included with each plan

Cons:

• No zero-access encryption
• No dedicated apps for mobile devices
• No free plan
• Lack of flexibility in the payment plans
• No live chat support, only email

4. Hushmail: Secure email for personal and business use 

Hushmail is a secure email provider that is popular with organizations like law firms, healthcare organizations, startups, and bigger businesses, too. It has a range of pricing plans and feature sets to suit each of these varied groups.

This Canada-based provider integrates well with others, so you can log into your account via services like Outlook and Apple Mail to enjoy Hushmail’s helpful security and privacy features.

It supports secure web form creation and sending as well, which is very helpful for certain types of businesses, and secure electronic signatures when sharing documents like contracts or non-disclosure agreements with clients or employees.

There are no ads and no tracking features with Hushmail, and it’s compliant with the likes of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and GDPR. It also lets you secure your emails with security questions, as well as providing secure, private message center pages where your contacts can upload attachments and write replies securely without even having to be Hushmail subscribers.

However, there is one large downside to Hushmail from a privacy perspective: it does log some user data, including records of your activity and potentially email subject lines, attachment names, addresses of your contacts, and other data. Canada is also part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, which may raise privacy concerns for some users (and Hushmail has shared some data in the past with U.S. authorities).

Features

• Encrypted emails
• iPhone app
• Custom domain names
• Secure web forms
• Drag-and-drop form builder, plus templates
• Secure web hosting for forms
• Secure electronic signatures
• Private message centers
• Security question protection for emails
• Sign in with Google, Apple, or Microsoft accounts

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Open-source encryption
• No ads or tracking of your account
• Lots of business-oriented features, like e-signatures
• Works well with other popular mail clients
• Various payment plans

Cons:

• Not as much storage as other options (15GB maximum)
• No Android app
• Prices are relatively high, and there is no option to pay monthly for personal users
• Logs and shares some user data

Bonus tips for extra email security

Using a secure email provider is one of the best steps you can take to safeguard your email communications. However, there are numerous additional tips, tricks, and techniques to protect your privacy and make it harder for any hackers, trackers, or other bad actors to gain access to your account or use emails against you.

• Use strong and unique passwords: Even with end-to-end encryption and other secure features, someone could still access your account if they can guess or crack your password. Create long and complex passwords for your email accounts to secure them. You can do this with the help of a random password generator and use a reliable password manager like ExpressVPN Keys to securely store your passwords.
• Enable two-factor authentication: If your email provider offers 2FA or MFA (multi-factor authentication), which they definitely should, make sure to enable it. This will give you an extra layer of protection, so even if someone knows your password, they won’t be able to log in.
• Be wary of phishing: Learn about phishing techniques and how phishing emails can be disguised to look just like emails from reputable, well-known sites. Be cautious when opening mails, especially those that ask you for any personal information.
• Don’t click suspicious links: Spam and phishing emails can sometimes sneak into your inbox, even on secure email platforms. Be careful about clicking any links in these messages, especially from senders you don’t know. They could lead to malicious sites.
• Approach attachments with caution: Another common email attack method is to hide malware in email attachments. Don’t download any files attached to emails unless you are sure about who sent them and what they are.
• Restrict email usage on public networks: As a general rule, public Wi-Fi networks are less secure than private home or business ones. If you need to access email on public Wi-Fi or use it for other purposes, protect your connection with a VPN.
• Keep your apps and devices up-to-date: If you fail to update email apps or other software, you could leave yourself exposed to various attacks or hacks. It’s important to update apps to get the latest security fixes and patches.
• Monitor your account activity: Many of the best secure email providers and a lot of popular mainstream ones let you track your account activity to see login attempts or unusual access. Keep an eye on this to see if anyone is trying to access your account.
• Separate business and personal emails: It’s best to have separate accounts for business and personal communications, both for convenience and for security reasons. Mixing your emails could leave you more easily exposed to phishing and spam.
• Back up important emails and files: Create secure backups of any important emails and attachments you might need in the future, just in case any leaks or breaches occur that suddenly block or impede your access to those messages.
• Use a VPN: A VPN adds a bonus layer of security to all of your online communications, including emails. It encrypts your internet traffic and masks your IP address, making it harder for outsiders to track your online activities or intercept login credentials—though it won’t encrypt the contents of your emails themselves.