Nonetheless, regardless of earlier claims that the consumer could be obtainable to all Proton Mail customers in early 2024, the corporate has determined to limit it to paying customers.
“After a extremely optimistic response through the beta part, we’ve determined to maintain the desktop app unique to premium subscribers to make sure the most effective service high quality, given the numerous infrastructure and upkeep calls for,” a spokesperson defined to TechCrunch.
Proton Mail desktop app Picture Credit: Proton
In associated information, Proton can be making its e mail service obtainable through a standalone Linux desktop app, launching at the moment in beta.
It’s price noting that whereas Proton Mail has been obtainable to desktop customers from the corporate’s inception, initially by way of the browser and extra just lately a “bridge” which opened up entry to Proton Mail by way of third-party desktop shoppers similar to Apple Mail and Outlook, at the moment’s information brings a devoted Home windows and MacOS app to the fray. Because of this emails will be cached and accessed when offline, whereas customers can funnel into Proton Mail straight from the MacOS dock or Home windows Begin menu.
Furthermore, the brand new app additionally bundles entry to Proton’s encrypted Calendar service.
Proton Mail for Desktop with Calendar Picture Credit: Proton
Present me the cash
From Proton’s perspective, retaining the Proton Mail desktop app again behind a paywall could possibly be a great way to incentivize premium signups, as it’s the sort of product that many individuals worth of their day-to-day lives and could be prepared to pay for.
Nonetheless, the corporate beforehand stated that the consumer would “step by step be made obtainable to all customers, together with free,” and it’s this backtrack which will trigger slightly consternation in its neighborhood.
As an alternative, everybody will be capable to strive the app out as a part of a 14-day free trial, after which they must signal as much as one of many firm’s premium plans that prices between €8 and €13 per 30 days, relying on how lengthy they’re prepared to decide to. These plans additionally unlock all of the restrictions on Proton’s different merchandise, which incorporates cloud storage, a VPN, and password administration.
That’s to not say that Proton isn’t open to altering its thoughts, relying on the “suggestions” it receives within the wake of at the moment’s announcement.
“We stay open to broadening entry sooner or later, although we don’t have any particular plans to take action within the quick time period,” the Proton spokesperson stated. “We’re dedicated to constantly evaluating our choices primarily based on our customers’ suggestions and wishes.”
