In this guide · 8 sections
Short answer
Choose Proton if confidentiality is the main requirement and most of your sensitive email goes to people you can ask to use Proton or password-protected messages. Choose Google Workspace if your team lives in shared documents, spreadsheets and video calls, and needs the widest app compatibility.
Proton Mail Business vs Google Workspace: quick comparison
Proton (Mail Essentials / Workspace)
Privacy firstFrom US$6.99/user/mo (yearly)
- Zero-access encrypted storage; Proton cannot read your mail
- End-to-end encryption between Proton users
- Password-protected emails for outside recipients
- Based in Switzerland
- Workspace plans add VPN, password manager and Drive
Best for: Firms where confidentiality matters more than collaboration tools.
Google Workspace
Feature firstFrom S$9.40/user/mo (flexible)
- Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet and Drive
- Real-time co-editing and wide third-party integration
- Gemini AI in Gmail and, on Standard and above, Docs and Sheets
- Mature admin console, Vault on Business Plus
Best for: Teams that collaborate on documents and use many apps.
Prices are from Proton's business plans page (USD, yearly billing) and Google Workspace's Singapore pricing page, approximate, as of October 2026, before GST.
What Proton's end-to-end encryption actually covers
This is the most misunderstood part. Proton's own page on how Proton Mail messages are encrypted is clear about the limits.
| Situation | Protection | Who could read it |
|---|---|---|
| Stored in your Proton inbox | Zero-access encryption | Only you |
| Proton user to Proton user | End-to-end encrypted in transit | Sender and recipient only |
| Proton to a Gmail or Outlook user | TLS in transit only | The recipient's provider once delivered |
| Password-protected email to anyone | End-to-end encrypted | Only someone with the password |
| Subject line, sender, recipient, time | Not end-to-end encrypted | Needed to deliver the mail |
Google Workspace also encrypts mail in transit with TLS where the other side supports it, and encrypts data at rest, but Google holds the keys and can process content for features such as spam filtering and Gemini. Client-side encryption, where you hold the keys, is only in Google's Enterprise plans.
Compatibility and everyday use
- Desktop email apps. Proton works with Outlook, Thunderbird and Apple Mail through Proton Mail Bridge, which Proton says is only available on paid plans. Gmail works with them directly.
- Other software. Many CRMs, booking tools and accounting apps connect to Gmail or Google Calendar out of the box. Fewer support Proton. Proton lists SMTP access for external tools on its business plans, which covers sending from apps, but calendar and contact sync is more limited.
- Calendar and scheduling. Both have shared calendars and appointment booking pages. Google Calendar is used far more widely by clients for invitations.
- Files and documents. Proton Drive offers encrypted storage and a basic document and spreadsheet editor. Google Docs and Sheets are much richer, with comments, suggestions, add-ons and real-time co-editing for many people.
- Meetings. Proton Meet allows 100 participants on Workspace Standard and 250 on Premium. Google Meet allows 100 on Business Starter and 150 on Standard, with recording from Standard.
If your staff spend their day in shared spreadsheets, the collaboration gap matters more than the encryption difference.
Admin, security and compliance features
Both give you a custom domain, user management, MFA and audit tools, but at different depth.
Proton strengths
- Proton cannot hand over readable mailbox content it cannot decrypt
- Proton Sentinel advanced account protection included on Workspace plans
- Password manager and VPN bundled on Workspace plans
- Data retention policies on Workspace Premium
Google strengths
- Detailed admin console with device management
- Vault for retention and eDiscovery on Business Plus
- Large ecosystem of security and backup tools
- Alert center for suspicious sign-ins and leaked passwords
For PDPA purposes, both can be used compliantly. The PDPA asks for reasonable security arrangements, which either platform can meet with MFA, sensible sharing settings and a backup. Proton's model reduces what the provider itself can see; Google's model gives more central control and monitoring.
Price comparison
Approximate per-user monthly prices, as of October 2026, before GST. Proton prices are USD on yearly billing; Google prices are SGD on the flexible monthly plan, with a discount for an annual commitment.
| Plan | Price | Storage per user |
|---|---|---|
| Proton Mail Essentials | US$6.99 | 15 GB |
| Proton Workspace Standard | US$12.99 | 1 TB, plus VPN and password manager |
| Proton Workspace Premium | US$19.99 | 3 TB, AI assistant, retention policies |
| Google Business Starter | S$9.40 | 30 GB pooled |
| Google Business Standard | S$18.80 | 2 TB pooled |
| Google Business Plus | S$29.40 | 5 TB pooled, Vault |
If you would otherwise buy a password manager separately, Proton Workspace Standard's bundle can close the gap with Google Business Standard. Our business email cost guide compares all the main options, including Microsoft 365.
Which suits which business
| Your situation | Usually the better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyers or advisers sending confidential files to a few known clients | Proton | Password-protected or Proton-to-Proton email keeps content end-to-end encrypted |
| Team co-editing documents and spreadsheets daily | Google Workspace | Docs and Sheets collaboration is far ahead |
| Many integrations with CRM, booking and accounting tools | Google Workspace | Wider native support |
| Small team wanting email, VPN and password manager in one bill | Proton Workspace Standard | Bundled tools |
| Firm needing eDiscovery and retention | Google Business Plus | Vault included |
If you are still choosing between Google and the other big option, read Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace. For a budget alternative, see Zoho Mail vs Google Workspace.
Do it yourself or get help?
Both offer migration tools. Proton has an import assistant for moving from Google or Microsoft, and Google has its own migration tools. The risky parts are DNS changes and old mail.
Before you switch
If you want it done for you, Business Email Setup (S$249) sets up either platform with the right DNS records, and Email Migration (S$390) moves existing mailboxes across. Licences are paid by you, in your name.
Frequently asked questions
Not by default. Proton says email from Proton to non-Proton addresses is encrypted in transit with TLS, and once delivered the recipient's provider may be able to access it. To keep it end-to-end encrypted, send it as a password-protected email, or use PGP if the recipient supports it.
For the provider's access to your stored mail, yes. Proton uses zero-access encryption, so it cannot read your inbox contents. Google encrypts data at rest but holds the keys. In practice, privacy also depends on who you email, your MFA settings and how files are shared, which matter on both.
As of October 2026, Proton lists Mail Essentials at US$6.99 per user a month, Workspace Standard at US$12.99 and Workspace Premium at US$19.99, on yearly billing before tax. Monthly billing costs more. Workspace plans add more storage, video meetings, a VPN and a password manager.
Yes, through Proton Mail Bridge, which runs on your computer and connects Outlook, Thunderbird or Apple Mail to your Proton account. Proton says Bridge is only available on paid plans. The Proton web and mobile apps work without it.
Proton Drive includes an online document and spreadsheet editor, and files are stored encrypted. It covers basic editing and sharing. Google Docs and Sheets are much more capable for heavy collaboration, add-ons, formulas and co-editing with many people at once.