Gmail alternative
As of 19 Oct 2026, 8 Android apps can take over from Gmail. The same mail can stay. Start with Proton Mail.
Encrypted email in its own address
A new address with end-to-end encryption, in an app that looks as good as it reads.
Hand-checked 22 Oct 2026.
The things people use Gmail for, and which alternatives do them today. Hand-checked against each maker's own pages.
| Feature | Gmail | Proton Mail | Spark | Thunderbird | Tuta Mail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open an existing Gmail inbox | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Encrypted mailbox | — | ✓ | — | — | ✓ |
| Search the whole inbox | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| App lock | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| New private address | — | ✓ | — | — | ✓ |
Source: each maker's website, read by a person on 22 Oct 2026. "—" means not offered, as far as the maker says.
8 email apps you can set as the default. Sort by any column.
| App ▲ | What it does | Price | Updated ▼ | Min Android ▼ | Get it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Proton MailProton |
Encrypted email in its own address | — | Hand-checked 17 Oct 2026 | — | website |
FairEmailMarcel Bokhorst (M66B) |
Fully featured email client. Neat, intuitive user interface. Privacy friendly | Free | 4 Oct 2026 | Android 6.0+ | F-Droid |
Infomaniak MailInfomaniak |
Mail for an Infomaniak mailbox | Free | 19 Jul 2026 | Android 8.1+ | website |
Meronnonbili |
A calm, chat-style inbox for the accounts you already have | Free | 16 Oct 2026 | Android 7.0+ | website |
OutlookMicrosoft |
Mail and calendar for work accounts | — | Hand-checked 17 Oct 2026 | — | website |
SparkReaddle |
An inbox that sorts people from newsletters and notifications | — | Hand-checked 17 Oct 2026 | — | website |
ThunderbirdMZLA |
A desktop-style mail app for many accounts | Free | 6 Oct 2026 | Android 6.0+ | website |
Tuta MailTutao |
Encrypted mail in a Tuta address | Free | 26 Sept 2026 | Android 8.0+ | website |
Mail on Google's servers stays there. A new app can read the same inbox, or you can start a new address.
Pick one from the table. Keep Gmail for now.
Proton Mail is a new address. Spark, Thunderbird and FairEmail can open the Gmail inbox you already have.
Settings, Apps, Default apps, Email app. Pick the new one. Open Gmail again if you want the old inbox.
Start with Proton Mail if you want encryption and a new address. Spark if you want the same inbox sorted for you. Thunderbird if you want many accounts side by side.
No. Mail on Google's servers stays there. Spark or Thunderbird can open that inbox. Proton Mail is a new mailbox; old mail stays in Gmail until you move it.
Yes. Open Gmail. Mail already on the server is still there.
No. Proton Mail is its own address. Use Spark, Thunderbird or FairEmail if you want the Gmail inbox in another app.
Proton Mail and Tuta yes. Spark, Thunderbird and FairEmail can use the address you already have.
