Proton

Proton operates a subscription software model built around a portfolio of privacy-focused digital services. It creates value by offering an alternative to ad-funded platforms: users and organisations pay directly for encrypted email, storage, VPN, identity protection, collaboration, and related tools. The company uses a freemium entry point to build a large user base, then drives expansion through upselling premium features, bundle plans, and per-user business subscriptions. Its integrated ecosystem increases retention by making multiple products work together under one account.

Proton AG is a Swiss privacy software company that sells encrypted communication, storage, identity, and security tools to both consumers and organisations. Its main products include encrypted email, VPN, cloud storage, calendar, password management, authentication, video meetings, and a bundled business suite. The company positions privacy and zero-access or end-to-end encryption as core product principles, and it operates a unified ecosystem under a single account and subscription structure.

Proton makes money primarily through recurring subscriptions rather than advertising or data monetisation. It uses free tiers to acquire users, then converts them into paid individual and business plans with added storage, premium security, admin controls, and bundled access to multiple services. The business increasingly spans both consumer privacy software and business productivity/security tooling, with acquisitions such as SimpleLogin and Standard Notes extending the ecosystem.