Type: End-to-end encrypted email — official Tor mirror
Access: Tor Browser or regular browser (clearnet)
Account required: Yes — free tier available
Clearnet version: proton.me
Jurisdiction: Switzerland
Last verified: March 2026
Onion Address
Clearnet: proton.me
Why the .onion Address Matters
ProtonMail encrypts all email content by default — even Proton cannot read your messages. What it cannot hide by itself is your IP address at login. In 2021, Swiss authorities issued a legal order requiring ProtonMail to log the real IP of a French activist who used the clearnet site. Proton complied — Swiss law required it.
Using the .onion address eliminates this exposure. Proton’s servers only see a Tor exit node IP — there is no real IP to hand over even under a legal order.
| Protection | Clearnet | Via .onion |
|---|---|---|
| Email content encryption | ✅ End-to-end | ✅ End-to-end |
| IP visible to Proton | ✅ Yes — logged at login | ❌ No — Tor exit node only |
| ISP sees ProtonMail usage | ✅ Yes | ❌ No — sees Tor traffic only |
| Data available under Swiss legal order | IP address | Nothing |
Creating an Anonymous Account
For maximum anonymity, create your account through the .onion address from the start — before ever connecting via a clearnet browser. This ensures Proton never has a real IP associated with your account. Use a username with no connection to your real identity. Avoid phone number verification where possible.
Known Limitations
JavaScript required. ProtonMail’s interface requires JavaScript — use Safer mode, not Safest, in Tor Browser.
Metadata is not fully encrypted. Message content is encrypted; subject lines of emails sent to non-Proton addresses and sender/recipient metadata may be visible to Proton under legal process.
External email is not end-to-end encrypted by default. True E2EE applies only between ProtonMail accounts or when using PGP with external contacts.
Common Questions
Is ProtonMail truly anonymous? Via the .onion address with an account created over Tor: among the most anonymous general-purpose email options available. Not perfectly anonymous — metadata is partially accessible.
What happened with the French activist? ProtonMail complied with a Swiss court order to log an activist’s IP address — possible because they used the clearnet site. The .onion address prevents this because no real IP is ever transmitted.