Looking for the best encrypted email services for 2018? Here are six encrypted email platforms providing the utmost security and privacy orientated services.
The year 2017 is gone but the hunt for the most trustworthy and best encrypted email services in 2018 is still on. It is true that email services like Gmail, Hotmail (Outlook) or Yahoo are convenient to use but are they protecting your privacy? Unfortunately, the answer is NO.
Yahoo! developed special software for the NSA (National Security Agency) so the agency could secretly scan user emails while Google admitted reading user emails telling the court that Gmail users “should not expect privacy” and Microsoft was so generous that they helped the NSA spy on Hotmail, Skype, and Outlook users.
So what are your options and which are the best-encrypted email services for 2018? Here is the list of some of the best companies working on to provide encrypted and secure email services without any interruption from intelligence agencies nor the sharing of user data with authorities
1: ProtonMail
Based in Switzerland, the anti-NSA secure email service ProtonMail is on top of our list since the company has a proven track record of providing a secure platform to users especially journalists and those concerned about their online privacy. ProtonMail uses end to end form of encryption which means the sent messages are encrypted and the recipient with secret decryption keys can read the messages.
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The company also offers free VPN service with “no logs policy“ for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows users to fight online censorship. Moreover, the world’s ProtonMail also offers the world’s first encrypted contacts manager called “ProtonMail Contacts” that aims at protecting user data with zero-access encryption and digital signature verification features.
You can also use ProtonMail on your smartphone through its iOS and Android apps.
Additional features:
- End-to-End Encryption
- Zero Access to User Data
- Open Source Cryptography
- No tracking or logging
- Self Destructing Messages
- Apps for Android and iOS
- Two-factor authentication
Read more about the service on ProtonMail’s website.
2. Mailfence
Mailfence is a free and encrypted email provider launched in 2013 by a Belgian (Europe) firm ContactOffice. Like ProtonMail, Mailfence was also launched after Snowden’s revelation regarding NSA’s Prism surveillance program and offers OpenPGP based end-to-end encryption that guarantees that the sent and received messages between user and recipient cannot be read by anyone else.
A user can also access the Mailfence account using SMTP vs IMAP with any email program they want. Belgium has strict privacy laws, therefore, Mailfence is not subjected to US gag orders and National Security Letters (NSLs). Under Belgian law, all national and international surveillance requests must go through a Belgian court.
Additional features:
- OpenPGP – End-to-end encryption (supports PGP/MIME and inline-PGP)
- Offers SPF, DKIM, TFA, Spam protection and User-side blacklistingDigital signatures
- Integrated keystore
- Full OpenPGP interoperability
- Two-factor authentication
- No advertisement
Read more about the service on Mailfence’s website.
3. CounterMail
Sweden based CoutnerMail is also a renowned encrypted and secure email service providing end-to-end encryption that makes it impossible to have your e-mail conversation read by hackers, even after taking over your account somehow. Moreover, CoutnerMail has over 4,000 types of encryption keys.
Moreover, the company does not store email data on any server or hard disks and uses CD-ROMs for the purpose which means attackers cannot spy on emails and data leak is also out of question. CounterMail also guarantees protection from government data surveillance. One downside of the service is that it does not allow sending encrypted emails to nonusers, however, users can communicate with any other OpenPGP-compatible email user anywhere in the world.
Additional features:
- End-to-End Security
- Diskless Web Servers
- USB Key Option
- MITM Protection
- Android and iOS apps
Read more about the service on Countermail’s website.
4. Tutanota
Based in Germany, Tutanota is an open-source end-to-end encrypted email software and freemium hosted secure email service that vows to protect user conversations at all times. Since Tutanota is based on the open-source model its development rate is relatively higher than many other similar services.
The company also offers paid packages but regardless of the package you choose, Tutanota encrypts all the messages you send or receive from others. In March last year, the Tutanota announced that the company has more than 2 million active registered users.
Additional features:
- End-to-End Encryption
- Open Source and Free
- Apps for Android and iOS
- Free domain
- Users can send and receive encrypted messages from regular email service users
Read more about the service on Tutanota’s website.
5. Posteo
Posteo is a German-based encrypted email service. The service has various plans to cater to the different needs of its clients. At the basic level, clients have to pay about 1EURO to use the service for a month. This basic plan includes access to some of the most important features of the service such as POP3 and IMAP support.
Also, when you are signing up for this service, you do not have to provide your personal information. All the conventional email services require you to provide your personal information when you are signing up and this compromises your overall level of privacy and personal security.
Additional features:
- End-to-End Encryption (PGP/GPG)
- Ad-free
- 2 GB storage (can be increased)
- 100% open source
- Email on all devices (IMAP/POP3
- Attachments of up to 50 MB
- Offers calendar & note that can be exported and synchronized with other clients
Read more about the service on Posteo’s website.
6. Virtru
Virtru is email encryption and digital privacy company based in Washington D.C. The company was founded by ex-NSA security analyst John Ackerly in 2012 and offers end-to-end encryption so your email conversations can only be read by you.
The company offers a free basic version and Virtru-Pro subscription that offers additional features that comply with many healthcare, media, government, financial, and legal regulations and of course additional security tools designed for consumer and business use.
In 2014, Virtru launched a business email encryption service for Google Apps, Microsoft, and Salesforce. Moreover, you can use Virtru free extension called “Virtru Email Encryption” with your Google Chrome, Android and iOS apps on your smartphone.
Additional features:
- End-to-End Encryption (including email, file, and mobile)
- Data loss prevention
- HIPAA Compliance
- Focused on non-tech users
- Android and iOS apps
- Conclusion
Read more about the service on Virtru’s website.
7: Utopia
Email service provided by the Utopia P2P ecosystem is believed to be one of the most protected services. Encrypted emails, unlimited file storage, any size attachments support, pleasant interface.
Currently, email, as well as the whole ecosystem, is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Mobile versions (Android and iOS) will be released soon.
Additional features:
- Superior encryption (256bit AES + Elliptic Curve Cryptography);
- Anonymous account registration;
- decentralized peer-to-peer architecture;
- Additional tools: Instant Messenger, browser, e-wallet, minable crypto, own DNS alternative, etc.;
- No advertisement;
- Free.
Yes, there are several other companies running encrypted email platforms and we do not doubt their intentions or capabilities. However, the aforementioned services help you to achieve a number of things including staying anonymous, send private and secure messages, free and user-friendly.
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