When comparing eM Client vs ProtonMail, the Slant community recommends ProtonMail for most people. In the question“What are the best e-mail clients for Windows?” ProtonMail is ranked 10th while eM Client is ranked 11th.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Many useful options
Such as sorting through categories, etc.
Pro Free and paid version
It is free for 2 accounts and as long as you don't use it commercially. Paid version comes with support and can handle more than 2 accounts.
Pro Still actively developed
They've been developing and improving it consistently for years.
Pro Calendar inclusive
Pro Beautiful interface, customisable to your needs
Pro It's simple to add new accounts
Pro Includes Quick Text
eM Client seamlessly integrated the Quick Text extension that was available on Thunderbird. This makes it easy to quickly auto-insert dynamic text, based on many variables, saving time and the need to tediously repeat manual text replies.
Pro Chat included
eM Client includes integrated chat, so you don't need another application for chatting with your friends. All common chat services supported (Google chat, Jabber and others).
Pro The only email client which synchronizes Gmail contacts properly
Pro Doesn't replace your attachments with "winmail.dat" files
eM Client sends straight .pdf files for fax messages flawlessly.
Pro It doesn't store all emails on the disc
It saves space, unlike Thunderbird.
Pro It is still the best in this class
But only because it has no alternative.
Pro A perfect companion to your Gmail or other webmail you might have
It provides (almost) complete Gmail functionality (calendar, tasks, chat, contacts), while offering advantages of an application: offline use, more e-mail providers in one place, very good design, support, etc.
Pro Very fast
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 Extremely slow opening emails
Con Some syncing errors with Hotmail
Happens from time to time.
Con Bloated
Huge size, high memory consumption, uses CEF (Chromium Embedded Framework).
Con Lifetime Upgrades are expensive
Con Account options are not shown under right click
Con Terrrible in handing unread emails
Sorting of unread emails is very useless when compared to other email clients.
Con Poor integration with Yahoo Mail
Integrations with a Yahoo Mail account doesn't always work well in eM Client.
Con Not many options to manage IMAP folders
For example, all emails from Gmail will unnecessary synchronize.
Con Interface is too simple
Many options are too hidden and it takes at least 3 clicks to set them up.
Con No conditional formatting
Con Only has one nice interface/skin
The other available skins has a 90s feel to them.
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.
Con Not fully Open Source
