Skiff Mail was an end-to-end encrypted email service that offered privacy-focused email, documents, and drive storage. The company was acquired by Notion in early 2024 and subsequently shut down, giving users six months to migrate. Skiff's team joined Notion to work on encryption and privacy features.
Skiff Mail briefly competed with Proton Mail and Tutanota as a privacy-first email provider with a modern design. The Notion acquisition and shutdown illustrated the risk of relying on startup email providers. Former Skiff users largely migrated to Proton Mail or Tutanota.
Swiss-based end-to-end encrypted email with the largest user base among encrypted providers. Full ecosystem (VPN, Drive, Calendar). The default recommendation for privacy-focused email after Skiff's shutdown.
German-based encrypted email with built-in encryption for subject lines (which Proton Mail does not encrypt). More affordable than Proton Mail. Open-source with a strong privacy commitment.
Belgian-based email with OpenPGP encryption, digital signatures, and collaboration tools. Less well-known than Proton Mail but offers a full office suite (calendar, documents, contacts).
German email provider powered by renewable energy. Affordable, ad-free, and privacy-focused. No custom domain support. Appeals to environmentally conscious users who want simple, private email.
Skiff's acquisition by Notion and subsequent shutdown demonstrated the risk of choosing a startup email provider. Email is a critical service where provider longevity matters. This event pushed users toward established providers like Proton Mail.
With Skiff gone, the privacy email market is consolidating around Proton Mail (dominant) and Tuta (strong alternative). New entrants face the dual challenge of competing with Proton's ecosystem and overcoming trust concerns after Skiff's shutdown.
Skiff's team is bringing encryption expertise to Notion. Future Notion features may include end-to-end encryption for documents and workspaces, using technology originally developed for Skiff Mail.
Skiff was acquired by Notion in February 2024. The Skiff email, documents, and drive services were shut down in August 2024, with users given six months to migrate. Skiff's team joined Notion to work on privacy and encryption features.
Proton Mail is the most recommended alternative, offering Swiss-based end-to-end encryption with a full ecosystem (VPN, Drive, Calendar). Tuta (formerly Tutanota) is a strong alternative with German data residency and subject line encryption.
Any startup email provider could be acquired or shut down. To minimize risk, choose providers with sustainable business models and long track records. Proton Mail (founded 2013, profitable) and Tuta (founded 2011) have demonstrated longevity.