Top 10 Best Encrypted Email Software of 2026

Proton Mail is a privacy-focused email service that offers end-to-end encryption for all emails by default, ensuring that only the sender and recipient can access message contents. Based in Switzerland, it adheres to strict privacy laws, provides zero-access encryption, and does not log user IP addresses or scan emails for ads. It includes features like self-destructing emails, password-protected messages for non-users, and integrated calendar and drive services in premium plans.

Tuta (formerly Tutanota) is a privacy-centric encrypted email service based in Germany, offering end-to-end encryption for emails, subjects, calendars, and contacts using its own TutaCrypt algorithm. It employs a zero-knowledge architecture where only the user holds decryption keys, with fully open-source client apps for maximum transparency. The service emphasizes sustainability with 100% green energy and supports anonymous signups without requiring personal data.

Mailfence is a privacy-oriented email service based in Belgium, offering end-to-end encrypted email using OpenPGP standards, along with integrated secure calendar, contacts, and document storage. It emphasizes zero-knowledge architecture, no tracking, and data protection under EU privacy laws. Users can send encrypted emails to non-users via password-protected links and benefit from unlimited disposable aliases on paid plans.

Mailbox.org is a German-based privacy-focused email provider offering secure email hosting with TLS encryption in transit and support for OpenPGP end-to-end encryption. It includes a full productivity suite with calendar, contacts, drive, tasks, and video conferencing, all protected by strong EU data protection laws. The service emphasizes no-tracking policies and is ideal for users seeking alternatives to Big Tech email providers.

StartMail is a privacy-focused email service based in the Netherlands, designed for users prioritizing security and anonymity. It provides server-side encryption for emails at rest, full PGP support for end-to-end encryption, and a unique password-protected email feature that allows secure sharing with non-users. Additionally, it offers disposable email aliases to combat spam and enhance privacy without tracking or logging IP addresses.

Runbox is a privacy-centric email service from Norway, providing secure email hosting with PGP-based end-to-end encryption, full-disk encryption (AES-256) for stored data, and no user tracking or ads. It supports access via webmail, IMAP/SMTP clients, and mobile apps, with features like unlimited disposable aliases on premium plans and strong compliance with EU privacy laws. While not offering automatic E2E encryption like some competitors, it excels in manual encryption workflows and data protection at rest.

Posteo.de is a privacy-oriented email service from Germany that provides secure email hosting with automatic server-side encryption of all messages at rest using keys derived from the user's password, ensuring Posteo cannot access email content. It fully supports OpenPGP for client-side end-to-end encryption, along with TLS for transit and no logging or tracking of user activity. Additional features include webmail, IMAP/SMTP access, calendar, tasks, and contacts, all powered by 100% renewable energy.

CounterMail is a privacy-focused encrypted email service based in Sweden, offering end-to-end PGP encryption for all communications without storing user data on diskless servers that wipe RAM after each session. It supports anonymous account creation with options for Bitcoin payments and provides secure webmail access along with IMAP/SMTP support for email clients. The service emphasizes zero-knowledge architecture, ensuring neither the provider nor authorities can access user messages.

Hushmail is a secure email service specializing in end-to-end encrypted email communications, with a strong emphasis on HIPAA compliance for healthcare professionals. It allows users to send encrypted emails to other Hushmail users seamlessly and provides secure web forms for communicating with non-users without requiring them to have an account. The service includes features like two-factor authentication, password-protected messages, and audit logs for regulatory needs.

Kolab Now is a privacy-focused groupware service hosted in Switzerland, offering secure email, calendars, contacts, tasks, and file storage powered by the open-source Kolab platform. It provides encryption at rest on servers, TLS-secured transit, and support for PGP-based end-to-end encryption via clients. Ideal for users prioritizing data sovereignty, it ensures compliance with strict European privacy laws without data mining or ads.