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Proton Mail alternatives · Email

Alternatives to Proton Mail with a one-time purchase

The Proton Mail listing shows no one-time purchase. 5 of the 51 other email apps in this directory can be bought with a one-time purchase.

Proton Mail has a free plan. Paid plans start at $3.99 per month, billed every 12 months ($47.88); $4.99 billed monthly. All of them are free or have a free plan.

5 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

How each one differs from Proton Mail

  1. Canary Mail

    AI email client with PGP encryption for Mac, iOS, Windows, Android

    • Canary Mail starts at $36 per year (Growth), shown as $3 per month billed yearly. Proton Mail starts at $3.99 per month, billed every 12 months ($47.88); $4.99 billed monthly.
    • Only Proton Mail lists a web app.
    • Only Proton Mail lists a Linux app.
    • Canary Mail can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Canary Mail pricing and details

  2. FairEmail

    Open source, privacy-oriented email client for Android

    • FairEmail starts at $7.49 one-time (pro features, US Google Play in-app purchase). Proton Mail starts at $3.99 per month, billed every 12 months ($47.88); $4.99 billed monthly.
    • Only Proton Mail lists a web app.
    • Only Proton Mail lists macOS, Windows, Linux and iOS apps.
    • FairEmail can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    FairEmail pricing and details

  3. eM Client

    Desktop email client for Windows and Mac with calendar and chat

    • eM Client starts at $39.95 per year (Personal subscription, up to 3 devices). Proton Mail starts at $3.99 per month, billed every 12 months ($47.88); $4.99 billed monthly.
    • Only Proton Mail lists a web app.
    • Only Proton Mail lists a Linux app.
    • eM Client can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    eM Client pricing and details

  4. Mailbird

    Desktop email client for Windows and Mac with a unified inbox

    • Mailbird starts at $34.49 per year (Premium Yearly Plan, US Mac App Store in-app price). Proton Mail starts at $3.99 per month, billed every 12 months ($47.88); $4.99 billed monthly.
    • Only Proton Mail lists a web app.
    • Only Proton Mail lists Linux, iOS and Android apps.
    • Mailbird can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Mailbird pricing and details

  5. Airmail

    Customizable email client for iPhone, iPad and Mac

    • Airmail starts at $7.99 per month, or $39.99 per year (US App Store in-app prices). Proton Mail starts at $3.99 per month, billed every 12 months ($47.88); $4.99 billed monthly.
    • Only Proton Mail lists a web app.
    • Only Proton Mail lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Airmail can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Airmail pricing and details

Common questions

Is there an alternative to Proton Mail that you buy once?

Yes. Canary Mail, FairEmail, eM Client, Mailbird and Airmail can be bought with a one-time purchase.

Can you buy Proton Mail once instead of subscribing?

The Proton Mail listing shows no one-time purchase. The listing was checked on Oct 4, 2026 against the pages it cites.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Proton Mail: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.