Nine vs ProtonMail
When comparing Nine vs ProtonMail, the Slant community recommends Nine for most people. In the question“What are the best cross-platform mobile email apps?” Nine is ranked 4th while ProtonMail is ranked 7th.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Can adjust color themes for each account.
Pro Supports ActiveSync protocols
Pro Convenient theme options
The black theme is easy on the battery and eyes.
Pro Good customization
But not so many you have to read and dig through documentation to do what you want.
Pro Supports Outlook category colors, Outlook for Android doesn't
Pro Very reliable
Pro Built-in end-to-end encryption
Pro No personal information needed
To create an account you don't need to give any personal information, just choose username, domain, and password. Even the recovery email address is optional.
Pro Privacy respecting
User data is protected by strict privacy laws because all servers are located in Switzerland.
Pro Open Source
Pro Mobile apps
Apps for Android and iOS available.
Cons
Con Not free
Con Not Cross-platform at all
Only has an Android app. No Windows, Mac versions available.
Con Javascript-intensive Webmail
Free accounts are required to use Javascript webmail and encryption is done in the browser. Javascript cryptography is harmful for security and should not be used.
Con Encryption Keys are stored server-side
The keys are generated during account creation. Using your existing keys is prohibited and ProtonMail must store and control the private keys. Encryption cannot be secure unless the user controls the private keys.
Con Still lacks some useful features
At the moment, there is no calendar feature and contact management is quite poor. They will, however, start to work on it.
Con Ties to US Investors
ProtonMail takes money from US Investors
Con No IMAP and SMTP support for basic accounts
Basic accounts are restricted to the Protonmail web client. Support for IMAP and SMTP is available with a paid subscription only, and as such with basic accounts it is not possible to send and receive email with external applications.
Con Overly expensive for desktop support
Con Requires phone number for login
If you sign up over Tor or a VPN, it will require email or phone number verification. Email verification is disabled if you use an email that isn't from Google or Outlook.