Google Workspace vs Proton Mail:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Proton Mail had more branded searches than Google Workspace among email hosting providers worldwide. Proton Mail had about 4.1 million branded searches, while Google Workspace had 2 million. Proton Mail made up 24.6% of all email hosting provider searches we track, and Google Workspace accounted for 11.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about email hosting providers, Proton Mail appeared in all five answers and Google Workspace in four. Google Workspace was mentioned before Proton Mail in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Proton Mail, about 2 searches for every 1 for Google Workspace
Who does AI mention more?
Proton Mail, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Google Workspace, named ahead of Proton Mail in 4 of 5 answers
Follow Google Workspace vs Proton Mail and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top email hosting providers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Proton Mail appeared in all five answers. Google Workspace was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Google Workspace was listed before Proton Mail in four out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Google Workspace1st
Microsoft 3652nd
Zoho Mail3rd- Proton Mail4th
Fastmail5th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Proton Mail5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Zoho Mail5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Microsoft 3654 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Google Workspace4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Fastmail4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about email hosting providers
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which email hosting provider should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best email hosting providers?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best email hosting provider for business email?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“email hosting provider”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“secure email hosting”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Is Google Workspace or Proton Mail more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Google Workspace and Proton Mail by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five email hosting providers we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Proton Mail, Google Workspace. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Microsoft 365 | Proton Mail | Zoho Mail | Google Workspace | Fastmail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 52.3% | 18.7% | 18.8% | 9.2% | 0.97% |
| Nov 2025 | 55.4% | 20.2% | 13.5% | 10% | 0.86% |
| Dec 2025 | 50.4% | 22.5% | 15% | 11% | 0.95% |
| Jan 2026 | 47% | 25.6% | 14% | 12.3% | 1.1% |
| Feb 2026 | 49.4% | 22.1% | 14.7% | 12.8% | 0.94% |
| Mar 2026 | 47.1% | 25.6% | 14% | 12.2% | 1.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 45.5% | 24.8% | 16.6% | 12.2% | 0.87% |
| May 2026 | 47.1% | 25.6% | 14% | 12.2% | 1.1% |
| Jun 2026 | 40.8% | 27.1% | 18.1% | 12.8% | 1.1% |
| Jul 2026 | 36.1% | 29.3% | 19.6% | 13.8% | 1.2% |
| Aug 2026 | 40.8% | 27.1% | 18.1% | 12.8% | 1.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 45.3% | 24.6% | 16.5% | 11.7% | 1.9% |
How has the Google Workspace and Proton Mail comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Proton Mail was ahead of Google Workspace in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Google Workspace’s share of searches among email hosting providers worldwide moved from 9.2% to 11.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.7M to 2M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Proton Mail’s share of searches among email hosting providers worldwide moved from 18.7% to 24.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3.4M to 4.1M.
How did search popularity change for email hosting providers worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Proton Mail lost share of searches among email hosting providers worldwide, from 27.1% to 24.6%.
In September 2026, Google Workspace lost share of searches among email hosting providers worldwide, from 12.8% to 11.7%.
How are branded searches counted?
13 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Google Workspace’s and Proton Mail’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Google Workspace
7 branded search terms
- email google workspace
- google workspace
- google workspace app
- google workspace email
- google workspace software
- googleworkspace
- gsuite
Proton Mail
6 branded search terms
- email proton mail
- proton mail
- proton mail app
- proton mail email
- proton mail software
- protonmail
Other head-to-heads among email hosting providers
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.