Cock.li vs Proton Mail

Cock.li is a public email host from Cock.li, founded in 2013, offering email accounts and webmail through the web, Android, and iOS. Its services are free, with the Free plan listed at free. Mail access includes IMAP and POP at mail.cock.li, while XMPP is listed at xmpp.cock.li. Registration does not require personally identifiable information. New accounts cannot send mail until the user completes a browser proof-of-work challenge that uses a few minutes of CPU time. Cock-mail is described as an open-source, client-side webmail client connecting directly to the IMAP server over websockets, but its 0.0.1 alpha release lacks major features including SMTP. The privacy policy says registration details, stored mail, XMPP data, and 48–72 hours of IMAP and SMTP logs may be retained. Email is automatically scanned for spam. Account information is encrypted server-side, but mail may travel without encryption when TLS is unavailable or not attempted.

Proton Mail is an encrypted email service available on the web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Its free plan lists 1 GB of storage and one email address, although its FAQ says storage starts at 500 MB; the free tier is described as having the same security level as paid plans. The service uses end-to-end and zero-access encryption, with open-source apps and independent audits. It blocks email trackers and includes phishing and spam protection, password-protected messages, and link confirmation. Users can schedule, undo, or snooze emails and organize messages with folders, labels, and categories. Easy Switch imports email, calendars, and contacts from other providers. Paid plans support external email clients through IMAP and SMTP using Proton Mail Bridge. Mail Plus lists 15 GB of storage, 10 extra email addresses, and one custom domain. Paid subscriptions include a 30-day money-back guarantee, and the desktop app has a 14-day free trial. Paid plans display monthly billing; the listed starting price is 3.99 /user/mo.