Microsoft 365 vs Proton Mail:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Microsoft 365 had more branded searches than Proton Mail among email hosting providers worldwide. Microsoft 365 had about 7.5 million branded searches, while Proton Mail had 4.1 million. Microsoft 365 made up 45.3% of all email hosting provider searches we track, and Proton Mail accounted for 24.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about email hosting providers, Proton Mail appeared in all five answers and Microsoft 365 in four. Microsoft 365 was mentioned before Proton Mail in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Microsoft 365, about 84% more searches than Proton Mail
Who does AI mention more?
Proton Mail, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Microsoft 365, named ahead of Proton Mail in 4 of 5 answers
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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. Microsoft 365 was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Microsoft 365 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 Microsoft 365 or Proton Mail more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Microsoft 365 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 Microsoft 365, Proton Mail. 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 Microsoft 365 and Proton Mail comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Microsoft 365 was ahead of Proton Mail in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Microsoft 365’s share of searches among email hosting providers worldwide moved from 52.3% to 45.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 9.4M to 7.5M.
- 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, Microsoft 365 gained share of searches among email hosting providers worldwide, from 40.8% to 45.3%.
In September 2026, Proton Mail lost share of searches among email hosting providers worldwide, from 27.1% to 24.6%.
How are branded searches counted?
11 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Microsoft 365’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.
Microsoft 365
5 branded search terms
- email microsoft 365
- microsoft 365
- microsoft 365 app
- microsoft 365 software
- microsoft365
Proton Mail
6 branded search terms
- email proton mail
- proton mail
- proton mail app
- proton mail email
- proton mail software
- protonmail
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