AOL vs Proton Mail Comparison (2026)

What are the differences between AOL and Proton Mail?

Forward Email Team
Written by
Forward Email TeamVerified
Published
1/1/26
Time to read
Less than 5 minutes
We recommend Forward Email as the best alternative to AOL.

Email Service Comparison

20 facts in comparison
AOLvs.Proton Mail

AOL

AOL Mail is a free web-based email service provided by AOL, a division of Yahoo! Inc.
"AOL Mail is a free web-based email service provided by AOL, a division of Yahoo! Inc."
  • Hardenize Test
  • Internet.nl Site Test
  • Internet.nl Mail Test
  • Mozilla HTTP Observatory Grade
  • Qualys SSL Labs SSL Server Test
vs.

Proton Mail

Secure email that protects your privacy
"Secure email that protects your privacy"
  • Hardenize Test
  • Internet.nl Site Test
  • Internet.nl Mail Test
  • Mozilla HTTP Observatory Grade
  • Qualys SSL Labs SSL Server Test
$12/yrPricing$3.99/mo
1000 GBStorage15 GB
25 MBAttachments25 MB
NoOpen-Source❌ Proton Mail claims to be open-source, but their back-end actually is closed source
NoSandboxed Encryption No
NoUnlimited DomainsNo
NoUnlimited AliasesNo
NoTTI No
YesSMTP❌ Requires you to download Proton Mail Bridge and forces vendor lock-in
YesIMAP❌ Requires you to download Proton Mail Bridge and forces vendor lock-in
YesPOP3❌ Proton Mail does not support POP3
NoAPINo
NoE2EE ⚠️ Proton Mail rewrites your emails
NoOpenPGP Yes
NoWKD Yes

Email Service Screenshots

Closed-source

AOL

AOL is a closed-source email service. Their website says: AOL Mail is a free web-based email service provided by AOL, a division of Yahoo! Inc.

AOL is a closed-source email service.
Screenshot by Forward Email
Go to site
Closed-source

Proton Mail

Proton Mail is a closed-source email service. Their official description reads: Secure email that protects your privacy

Proton Mail is a closed-source email service.
Photo by Forward Email
Go to site

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