Inside Proton Mail, Drive, VPN, Pass & More: Swiss Privacy First Tools

When building a startup, the tools you choose shape more than your workflows. They also shape your values. At StartupFuel, we believe that privacy, transparency, and (digital) independence should be part of every startup’s journey. That’s why we’re taking a closer look inside Proton Mail and more, a suite of end-to-end encrypted tools developed in Switzerland. Their mission: make privacy the default, not an option.

A European Approach to Privacy-First Tools

Proton isn’t just another toolset competing with Google or Microsoft. It’s a company founded in 2014 by scientists from CERN. Proton emerged from the belief that privacy is a fundamental human right.

Unlike many digital platforms that rely on ad revenue and data mining, Proton is:

• 100% funded by user subscriptions (no ads or trackers)
• Based in Switzerland, with strong privacy laws and GDPR alignment
• Built as open source software, (check their code on GitHub)
• Independently audited for security (latest security assessments are from January 2025)

This privacy-first approach underpins everything from email to password management. Where many services monetize user data, Proton operates entirely on user subscriptions. No ads. No selling of personal information. And, most user data is protected with end-to-end encryption, meaning Proton themselves can’t read your messages or access your files. We don’t like the word “most” that much, but we get it. To learn how this all works, check their guide: What is End-to-End Encryption?

Proton operates datacentres in Switzerland, Germany, and Norway, and offers a 99.95% uptime service level agreement to business users.

The Proton Suite: More Than Mail

What started as Proton Mail has grown into a full suite of privacy-friendly tools for both individuals and businesses. Here’s what the ecosystem currently includes (affiliate links under the names of each tool):

Proton Mail + Calendar : Encrypted email, spam protection, tracking protection, password-protected messages, and custom domain (not in the free plan). An encrypted calendar tightly integrated with Proton Mail.

Proton Pass : An encrypted password manager with built-in 2FA, passkey support, access sharing (paid plans), hide-my-email aliases, and dark web alerts. Recently they added secure file attachment, so you can store your ID cards or certificates in your vault.

Proton Drive : End-to-end encrypted file storage and sharing, protected from unauthorized access. Comes with basic (text) document editing functionality; although not a full replacement of your current office suite we’re eagerly monitoring the development here.

Proton VPN : An open-source, fast, and censorship-resistant VPN with Secure Core routing and NetShield ad blocking, with a strict no-logs policy.

The latest addition to their product suite is Proton Wallet, a self-custodial Bitcoin wallet. Each tool shares the same commitment to zero-access encryption, meaning not even Proton can read your content.

Proton also makes switching easier than you might expect, thanks to their Easy Switch tool, which helps you move over email, calendars, and files from Google and Microsoft in just a few steps.

Is Proton Right for You?

That depends on your priorities.

If your startup is operating in health tech, fintech, or anything touching sensitive data, Proton makes a compelling case. It’s not about shiny features; it’s about choosing tools that reflect your values and guard against long-term risk. Whether your looking for end-to-end encrypted mail, a European VPN for business, or an encrypted password manager, Proton walks the talk when it comes to transparency.

It’s also about European independence. With increasing concerns over data sovereignty and compliance, having infrastructure rooted in Switzerland, Germany, and Norway might give you a small but meaningful edge.