Last I checked, Proton Mail does not support standard email client protocols. So you’re stuck with its apps and a browser interface or with buying a paid subscription and using a bridge software on desktop to use a client like Thunderbird. Getting mails out of Proton Mail is also not as easy as setting up a client with IMAP or using other tools like imapsync.

The point is that Google is harming paying customers, and as a paying customer Proton respects me more and it is based in Europe, which is a big plus for me.

> Looks like Google wants to force people to use the WebUI instead of email clients (no google ads on IMAP/POP).

I think that’s a valid criticism, but Protonmail also doesn’t allow people to use a standard email client. I agree with the parent commenter that it’s strange that you’re suggesting it as an alternative, especially when there’s services like Fastmail and Purelymail that both have accessible human support and let you use a standard email client.

Proton has an official bridge software which sets up a local imap/smtp server. I then can use a 3rd party email client. The reason they don't support it directly from their servers is it allows them to not have to decrypt emails in their servers. Only the client can decrypt emails as everything in proton is encrypted so that proton cannot see your emails

I switched from Proton -> Fastmail and have been happy with the transition.

You get more "stuff" from a ProtonMail subscription, but I really just want email.

But Proton doesn't offer good third-party access either; actually, Gmail is better

Yes it does, they have an official software called the bridge which allows you to connect a 3rd party email client.

I'm having a really good experience with Proton. I even interacted with them here on HN once, they cleared up some uncertainties by posting technical OpenPGP information that wasn't covered in their documentation.

I suspect this has much more to do with bad actors using automated means to access Gmail and send spam.

How does gmail using POP to retrieve messages to your account from your account with another service facilitate spam and how can the bad actor take advantage of that?

That does not make sense

Why not just use Gmail api?