Protonmail alternatives?

[Octopuss]

I am looking for an email provider, something along the lines of Proton - but I only mention Proton because I don't know anything else - because I've had it with one of the regional services where they switched their antispam system to AI and it still doesn't work for shit well over a year later.
The reason I am not looking at Prroton (which I tried and otherwise like) is it apparently grew so big all kinds of usernames are already taken and most of the addresses I want to use (I really don't want to change when I'm used to certain "nicknames" for 10 to 20+ years) are already taken. Might sound silly, but I'm hopeful I can find something.
Basically I want something robust enough with really good web interface (and good Android app) that is not so big that all possible names are taken but no indie project either. Somerhing inbetween. I also want to be able to have multiple email addresses under one user account.
I don't mind paid service as long as it's reasonable (means somewhat less than what Prroton cost per year, and their paid plans are not exactly flexible).

Is anyone aware of an unicorn?

[jarsealer]

I am looking for an email provider, something along the lines of Proton - but I only mention Proton because I don't know anything else - because I've had it with one of the regional services where they switched their antispam system to AI and it still doesn't work for shit well over a year later.
The reason I am not looking at Prroton (which I tried and otherwise like) is it apparently grew so big all kinds of usernames are already taken and most of the addresses I want to use (I really don't want to change when I'm used to certain "nicknames" for 10 to 20+ years) are already taken. Might sound silly, but I'm hopeful I can find something.
Basically I want something robust enough with really good web interface (and good Android app) that is not so big that all possible names are taken but no indie project either. Somerhing inbetween. I also want to be able to have multiple email addresses under one user account.
I don't mind paid service as long as it's reasonable (means somewhat less than what Prroton cost per year, and their paid plans are not exactly flexible).

Is anyone aware of an unicorn?

Check out https://tuta.com.

They're pretty similar to protonmail I'd say, but not as big.

[Gemmaugr]

https://digdeeper.club/articles/email.xhtml

[Octopuss]

Nice article, I also had a few laughs 😅
Now it seems I can choose between Tuta and Posteo.
Edit: oh nevermind, tuta doesn't support email clients, WTF?

[frostknight]

disroot
posteo.de
are two that I like.

The first is the better one in my opinion. It has other capabilities besides email.

[andyprough]

I really don't want to change when I'm used to certain "nicknames" for 10 to 20+ years

Proton has a bunch of different options if all you want is your own unique nickname for an address. For free, you can use the @protonmail.com, @proton.me, @protonmail.ch, and @pm.me domains. On top of that you can use aliases of all kinds of domains directed at your main protonmail account. On top of that you can even use your own custom domain. I doubt you would really run out of domain options with Proton if you just had a collection of nicknames you preferred to use. Here's some info: https://proton.me/support/addresses-and-aliases

I don't know of any services that offer exactly what Proton does. As you've stated, Tuta would be an option but doesn't work with email clients.

I love my Disroot email address as it works easily with any email client, but it's not end-to-end encrypted so you better make sure you're ok with the fact someone might be reading your mail.

[Octopuss]

I really don't want to change when I'm used to certain "nicknames" for 10 to 20+ years

Proton has a bunch of different options if all you want is your own unique nickname for an address. For free, you can use the @protonmail.com, @proton.me, @protonmail.ch, and @pm.me domains. On top of that you can use aliases of all kinds of domains directed at your main protonmail account. On top of that you can even use your own custom domain. I doubt you would really run out of domain options with Proton if you just had a collection of nicknames you preferred to use. Here's some info: https://proton.me/support/addresses-and-aliases

I don't know of any services that offer exactly what Proton does. As you've stated, Tuta would be an option but doesn't work with email clients.

I love my Disroot email address as it works easily with any email client, but it's not end-to-end encrypted so you better make sure you're ok with the fact someone might be reading your mail.

When you register, you can only use @protonmail.com or @proton.me though, and because of that the main two addresses I use these days are out of the question, which sucks.
Also, I am not sure if we understand each other, I was talking about real email addresses, not nicknames for emails.

[Octopuss]

disroot
posteo.de
are two that I like.

The first is the better one in my opinion. It has other capabilities besides email.

Disroot is limited to 1GB mailbox and doesn't seem to have a paid plan. I am considering IMAP, so this would not work for me.

[andyprough]

When you register, you can only use @protonmail.com or @proton.me though, and because of that the main two addresses I use these days are out of the question, which sucks.
Also, I am not sure if we understand each other, I was talking about real email addresses, not nicknames for emails.

OK, you said you would not mind getting on a paid plan - I'm pretty sure that Proton makes all those domains and aliases available with the paid plans. Not sure about the free plans, probably a bit more limited like you say.

[Octopuss]

Well yes, but when you register, that will be your primary email address, right? And I can't get past that with what I prefer

Disroot is limited to 1GB

Apparently it isn't, but I googled that up somehow.
So either this or Posteo...

[Moonchild]

Or run your own mail server. It's not hard.
Some web hosting companies actually offer this for very low expense, too -- including a domain.
Yes it means it's not free. But actually free e-mail doesn't exist.

[andyprough]

Well yes, but when you register, that will be your primary email address, right? And I can't get past that with what I prefer

No, each email address in the settings have an option to make it the new default. So it looks like you could register with one address and then switch it around later if that is what you are looking to do.

[jarsealer]

Or run your own mail server. It's not hard.
Some web hosting companies actually offer this for very low expense, too -- including a domain.
Yes it means it's not free. But actually free e-mail doesn't exist.

How would your e-mails get through spam filters?

Won't the big email providers just block your email if it's not from a well known provider (gmail, yahoo etc.)?

[Moonchild]

How would your e-mails get through spam filters?
Won't the big email providers just block your email if it's not from a well known provider (gmail, yahoo etc.)?

No, there are millions of valid e-mail domains. It's not an "inclusive club". In fact, gmail, yahoo, etc. are more often spam sources than dedicated domains.

[Octopuss]

But if I somehow decided to host my own email server (in the end I would have to pay someone to set it up and likely manage it, so I wouldn't gain anything), what would I do with all the spam? One of the main reasons I want to move from the current provider is their utter failure to combat spam. And they have tens of thousands of users, and have access to some elaborate solutions I guess.

[Veit Kannegieser]

what would I do with all the spam?

I am quite happy with a litte delaying (postgrey), and postfix rules for subject lines, some few basic body filters, and a abuseipdb lookup with country/domain depending thresholds.

And they have tens of thousands of users, and have access to some elaborate solutions I guess.

But for their customers 'one solutions fits all', on your own mail host you can adjust what fits you best.
Not having a 'spam folder' is nice, mail will arrive or be rejected. This is not a way a big server would be able to operate.

[vannilla]

But if I somehow decided to host my own email server (in the end I would have to pay someone to set it up and likely manage it, so I wouldn't gain anything), what would I do with all the spam? One of the main reasons I want to move from the current provider is their utter failure to combat spam. And they have tens of thousands of users, and have access to some elaborate solutions I guess.

You are exaggerating the spam issue.
Most mail server softwares come with some level of protection built in.
Unless you toss your address to the wolves, little gets through and it's probably going to be less than what you get now.
Source: I run my own server on a rented VPS.

[Octopuss]

Does anyone know whether I can have (or pay for) multiple real email addresses with Disroot? I can't find this information anywhere.

[andyprough]

Does anyone know whether I can have (or pay for) multiple real email addresses with Disroot? I can't find this information anywhere.

Don't know. All I've seen is that we are requested not to abuse the service, as it is a personal project by the developers that they are sharing with us.

[Mæstro]

I have been using Posteo for its IMAP capacity since 2020 and have been satisfied: €1 a month is well worth the price. Because you are interested in additional addresses, I should note that Posteo offers two email aliases for free, with the choice to add more for ten cents a month each. It also allows choosing country-specific extensions: @posteo.de, @posteo.co.uk, @posteo.jp…