Proton Mail
Things 3
| Feature | Proton Mail | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $3.99/mo | From $9.99/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 |
| Best For | privacy-conscious-users, journalists, activists, security-professionals | apple-users, gtd-practitioners, individuals, design-lovers |
| Founded | 2014 | 2009 |
| Encryption | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero Access Architecture | ✓ | ✗ |
| Self Destructing Emails | ✓ | ✗ |
| Custom Domains | ✓ | ✗ |
| Bridge For Desktop | ✓ | ✗ |
| Calendar | ✓ | ✗ |
| Inbox | ✗ | ✓ |
| Today View | ✗ | ✓ |
| Areas And Projects | ✗ | ✓ |
| Headings | ✗ | ✓ |
| Tags | ✗ | ✓ |
| Quick Entry | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Proton Mail Pros
- End-to-end encryption
- No ads
- Swiss privacy laws
- Open source
✗ Proton Mail Cons
- Limited free storage
- Fewer integrations
- Search limited to metadata
✓ Things 3 Pros
- One-time purchase (no subscription)
- Stunning Apple-native design
- GTD workflow built in
- Keyboard shortcuts and natural language
✗ Things 3 Cons
- Apple ecosystem only
- No collaboration features
- No web version
The Verdict
Proton Mail is built for privacy conscious users and journalists, with a focus on encryption and zero-access-architecture. Things 3 targets apple users and gtd practitioners and leads with inbox and today-view.
On pricing, Proton Mail is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $3.99/mo compared to $9.99/mo for Things 3. That $6/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Proton Mail has a free plan, which gives it a meaningful edge for individuals and small teams exploring their options. Things 3 requires a paid subscription from day one.
Bottom line: Things 3 has a slight overall edge — but if end-to-end encryption matters most to you, Proton Mail may still be the right call.