My Journey from Microsoft to Proton: Why I switched ecosystems and won’t look back

For years, I was deeply invested in the Microsoft ecosystem. From emails to documents, it was a familiar setup on all my devices. But as I learned about data ownership and digital control, a sense of unease began to grow. I realized I wanted more than just convenience. That’s when I discovered Proton. This post details my journey from the familiar world of Microsoft to the open and privacy-centric ecosystem of Proton. I will explain why I made the switch and why I haven’t looked back.

Why I traded Microsoft for Proton

There were several perks

My decision to switch from the Microsoft ecosystem to Proton wasn’t solely due to privacy concerns. After all, Microsoft, too, has a solid reputation for protecting user data. My biggest problem has been syncing speeds. Being an active user of Microsoft 365, I mainly rely on OneDrive to sync notebooks, documents, media, and other files on all my devices, including the MacBook Pro, Windows desktop, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and Pixel 8.

However, lately, the sync speeds have been a hit-and-miss. I have lost several notebook edits and document changes due to that. Another crucial factor was Microsoft’s aggressive push for Copilot integration and the price hikes for Microsoft 365. It felt like Microsoft prioritizing its AI-driven agenda over user choice.

Due to its blazing fast syncing speeds, I did consider Google Workspace apps. But I wanted a solution that strikes the perfect balance between features and privacy, and that’s where I stumbled upon Proton. I signed up for a 30-day trial, and my overall experience has been surprisingly positive.

Highly focused on privacy

Shield your online identity

Let’s go over the obvious advantages of using Proton apps over Microsoft 365. Whether you use Proton Mail, Calendar, Docs, or Pass, all your data is encrypted on your device before it’s transferred to Proton’s servers. The company itself can’t access or read your data. I often deal with confidential files and documents, and such a privacy structure gives me peace of mind.

The best part about the Proton ecosystem is its open-source nature. Any researcher or security expert can audit the source code and confirm the company’s end-to-end encryption claims. Unlike Google, Proton services do not rely on advertising, which eliminates the need to collect user data for targeted ads.

Feature-packed Proton apps

They aren’t just watered down version of Microsoft counterparts

Here is where Proton’s offerings truly surprised me. Since it’s a relatively new ecosystem, I didn’t expect Proton apps to be feature-rich. First of all, there is a handy import tool in Proton Mail where I can move my Outlook emails, contacts, and calendars with a few clicks only.

Let’s take Proton Mail, for example. Beyond basic email, Proton Mail offers features like custom domains, filters, labels, and advanced search functionality. With Proton Drive, you can password-protect your sharing links and even add an expiry date to them.

Besides, these apps are truly cross-platform, with native apps on all the major platforms. Compared to Microsoft 365, the Proton ecosystem mainly misses out on PowerPoint and Excel rivals (more on that later).

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Multiple subscription plans that make sense

Without unnecessary AI add-ons

While Proton misses out on presentation and spreadsheet software, it fills in the gap with other useful add-ons. There is Proton VPN that offers around 10 high-speed VPN connections to shield your online identity.

You also get Proton Pass to store your login items, account credentials, financial details, and bank info. Other perks include unlimited hide-my-email aliases, 25 personal calendars, a built-in 2FA service, and more. Proton Wallet is another useful add-on for cryptocurrency users. When you factor in everything and 500GB Proton Drive space, the monthly asking price of $10.82 starts making sense. With a few bucks more, you can unlock the same goodies for your loved one as well.

Overall, Proton’s ecosystem practically replaced many premium (and paid) apps in my workflow.

The transition hasn’t been smooth

There were some hurdles

Although the Proton ecosystem covers many essential apps, it does miss out on a couple of services I use regularly. First of all, there is no note-taking tool. I had to use another app to jot down my thoughts and ideas. However, Proton recently purchased a privacy-focused note-taking app called Standard Notes, and I’m hoping to see its integration in the Proton workspace soon. There is no task management app either.

I also faced issues with collaborating on important files and documents. After all, Proton is a new service, and many of my friends and team members are still not on the platform.

My digital evolution

In the end, my transition from Microsoft to Proton has been more than just a change in software. It’s been a shift in my digital philosophy. Of course, like any ecosystem, there are some drawbacks that you need to keep in mind before transferring all your data. But for my workflow and preferences, Proton ticks almost all the boxes, and now the company’s apps have permanently found a place on my Android phone’s home screen and Windows taskbar.

If you are mainly confused between Proton Drive and OneDrive, check out the top reasons to switch from Microsoft’s cloud storage platform to Proton Drive.