Why Bother Switching from Big Tech in the UK?
Fair question. Google works fine. iCloud does the job. Why go through the hassle?
Because your data tells your entire life story. And right now, multiple companies are reading that story, analysing it, and monetising it.
73%
of UK internet users concerned about online privacy (Ofcom 2025)
Google scans your emails to build advertising profiles. Microsoft analyses your documents. Apple, despite their privacy marketing, still collects metadata about your device usage and location. They all comply with government data requests, including from UK authorities under the Investigatory Powers Act.
When you're switching from Big Tech to Proton Suite, you're moving your data under Swiss jurisdiction. Switzerland has some of the world's strongest privacy laws. Proton can't read your emails because they're encrypted. They can't scan your files. They don't track your browsing. And they've fought government data requests in Swiss courts, winning most cases.
Plus, there's the advertising angle. Google made £7.8 billion from UK advertising in 2024. That money came from analysing user data and selling targeted ad placements. Your searches, emails, location history, YouTube watches, all feeding the machine.
Switching from Big Tech means opting out of that entire ecosystem.
What You Get with Proton Suite
Proton isn't just an email provider anymore. They've built a complete privacy ecosystem that replaces most Big Tech services:
Proton Mail (Gmail Replacement)
End-to-end encrypted email that actually works like normal email. You can send encrypted messages to other Proton users automatically, or send password-protected emails to anyone. The interface feels familiar if you're coming from Gmail, just without the creepy ad targeting.
I covered the full migration process in my guide to switching from Gmail to Proton Mail, but the short version: Proton's import tool pulls your existing emails over in about an hour for most accounts.
Proton Drive (Google Drive/iCloud Alternative)
Encrypted cloud storage. Upload files, they get encrypted on your device before uploading. Proton can't read them. Governments can't request them. Advertisers definitely can't scan them for targeting data.
The privacy differences between Proton Drive and Google Drive are massive. Google scans everything you upload to improve their services (read: build better ad profiles). Proton literally cannot scan your files because of the encryption.
Proton Calendar (Google Calendar Replacement)
Encrypted calendar that syncs across devices. Your appointments, meetings, and personal events stay private. Google Calendar, by contrast, uses your calendar data to improve location predictions and ad targeting.
Proton Pass (Password Manager)
Encrypted password manager that replaces Google Password Manager, iCloud Keychain, or commercial options like LastPass. Stores passwords, generates strong ones, and fills them automatically.
If you're currently using LastPass, check my migration guide from LastPass to Proton Pass for the detailed process.
ProtonVPN (Privacy Protection)
This is where things get interesting for UK users. ProtonVPN encrypts your internet connection, hiding your browsing from your ISP, government surveillance, and anyone else watching.
Under UK law, internet service providers must log your browsing history for twelve months and hand it over when requested. ProtonVPN stops that logging by encrypting your connection and routing it through their servers. Your ISP sees encrypted gibberish, nothing more.
💡 Pro Tip: Start with ProtonVPN before migrating other services. It protects your connection during the entire switching from Big Tech process, preventing your ISP from seeing which services you're setting up.
Proton VPN from £3.59/mo→
The Complete Migration Plan: Switching from Big Tech Step-by-Step
Right, let's get practical. Here's how to actually do this without breaking everything.
Phase 1: Set Up ProtonVPN First (Day 1, 30 minutes)
Before touching anything else, get your VPN running. This encrypts your connection for the entire migration process.
Step 1: Sign up for a Proton account. You can start with their free plan to test everything, then upgrade to Proton Unlimited for the full suite.
Step 2: Download ProtonVPN apps for all your devices (Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, Linux). Install them.
Step 3: Connect to a UK server. This keeps your connection fast while encrypting everything. For detailed performance data, see my ProtonVPN UK server speed tests.
Step 4: Enable the kill switch in settings. This stops all internet traffic if the VPN disconnects, preventing accidental data leaks during migration.
Leave ProtonVPN running for the entire migration process. Everything you do from this point forward is encrypted and private.
Phase 2: Migrate Your Email (Days 2-3, 2-3 hours)
Email is the big one. Your Gmail account probably has thousands of messages going back years. Plus, it's linked to every online account you've ever created.
Step 1: Set up Proton Mail. Choose your new email address carefully, you'll be using it for everything.
Step 2: Use Proton's Easy Switch tool. This imports your existing Gmail messages, contacts, and calendar events. For most users, this takes 1-3 hours depending on mailbox size.
Step 3: Set up email forwarding in Gmail. Forward all new messages to your Proton address while you transition. This gives you time to update accounts without missing emails.
Step 4: Start updating important accounts. Banking, government services, utilities, subscriptions. Do the critical ones first, then work through the rest over the next few weeks.
Step 5: Set up an auto-reply in Gmail telling people about your new address. Something like: "I've moved to a new email address for privacy reasons. Please update your contacts to [your-proton-address]."
⚠️ Warning: Don't delete your Gmail account immediately. Keep it active for at least three months while you transition. Some services are difficult to update, and you'll need access to verify account changes.
Phase 3: Move Your Files to Proton Drive (Days 4-5, 1-4 hours)
Cloud storage migration is straightforward but time-consuming if you've got lots of files.
Step 1: Audit your Google Drive or iCloud storage. Delete old rubbish you don't need. Most people have gigabytes of forgotten files.
Step 2: Download your important files from Google Drive. Use Google Takeout to export everything, or manually download folders you want to keep.
Step 3: Upload to Proton Drive. Drag and drop folders into the web interface, or use the desktop app for larger transfers.
Step 4: Verify everything transferred correctly. Spot-check important documents and photos.
Step 5: Set up Proton Drive sync on all your devices. This replaces Google Drive or iCloud sync.
Storage limits depend on your plan. Proton Unlimited includes 500GB, which covers most users switching from Big Tech free tiers.
Phase 4: Switch Your Calendar (Day 6, 30 minutes)
Calendar migration is quick because Proton's Easy Switch tool handles it.
Step 1: Export your Google Calendar or iCloud calendar as an ICS file.
Step 2: Import into Proton Calendar. All your events, appointments, and reminders transfer over.
Step 3: Set up calendar sharing if you share calendars with family or colleagues. Proton Calendar supports encrypted sharing with other Proton users.
Step 4: Update calendar subscriptions. If you subscribe to external calendars (sports fixtures, TV schedules, etc.), add them to Proton Calendar.
Phase 5: Migrate Passwords to Proton Pass (Day 7, 1-2 hours)
Password managers are critical for security, so this step matters.
Step 1: Export passwords from your current manager. Google Password Manager, iCloud Keychain, LastPass, whatever you're using. Export to CSV format.
Step 2: Import into Proton Pass. The import tool recognises most password manager formats.
Step 3: Install Proton Pass browser extensions and mobile apps. These auto-fill passwords just like your old manager.
Step 4: Audit your passwords. Proton Pass identifies weak, reused, or compromised passwords. Update them while you're switching from Big Tech services.
Step 5: Set up two-factor authentication (2FA) in Proton Pass. It can store TOTP codes, replacing apps like Google Authenticator.
💡 Pro Tip: Don't delete passwords from your old manager until you've verified Proton Pass works correctly for at least a week. Keep the backup just in case.
What About Other Big Tech Services?
Proton Suite covers the main privacy concerns, but you might use other Big Tech services. Here's how to handle them:
Search Engines
Google Search tracks everything you look for, building detailed profiles of your interests, health concerns, political views, and shopping habits.
Switch to DuckDuckGo or Startpage. Both provide good search results without tracking. DuckDuckGo is based on Bing's index but strips all tracking. Startpage uses Google's results but anonymises your searches.
It takes about a week to adjust to different search results. The privacy gain is worth it.
Web Browsers
Chrome sends your browsing data back to Google. Safari is better but still phones home to Apple.
Firefox with privacy extensions (uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger) is the standard recommendation. Brave is another solid option with built-in ad blocking and tracking protection.
Keep ProtonVPN running while browsing for an extra privacy layer. The combination of a privacy-focused browser plus VPN encryption makes tracking much harder.
Cloud Photos
Google Photos scans your images for faces, objects, locations, and text. Apple Photos does similar analysis, though they claim it's on-device.
Proton Drive can store photos, but it's not specifically designed as a photo manager. For a dedicated solution, consider self-hosting with Nextcloud or using a privacy-focused service like Cryptee.
Alternatively, keep photos on local storage (external hard drives) with encrypted backups. Old-fashioned but completely private.
Video Calls
Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams all have privacy concerns. Zoom particularly has a dodgy history with encryption claims.
Signal offers encrypted video calls for up to 40 people. Jitsi Meet is another open-source option. For work calls where you can't choose the platform, use ProtonVPN to at least encrypt your connection.
The ProtonVPN Advantage When Switching from Big Tech
ProtonVPN deserves special attention because it protects everything else you do online, not just Proton services.
When you're switching from Big Tech, you're making lots of account changes. Logging into banking, updating email addresses, changing passwords. Your ISP can see all this activity. Under UK law, they're required to log it.
ProtonVPN encrypts your entire connection. Your ISP sees you connected to a ProtonVPN server, nothing more. They can't see which websites you visit, which accounts you update, or what you're migrating.
Key ProtonVPN Features for Privacy
No-logs policy: ProtonVPN doesn't record your browsing activity. Based in Switzerland, they're outside UK and EU data retention laws.
Secure Core: Routes your connection through multiple servers in privacy-friendly countries before reaching the internet. Extra protection against network monitoring.
NetShield: Blocks ads, trackers, and malware at the VPN level. You get privacy protection plus security.
Kill switch: Stops all internet traffic if the VPN disconnects. Prevents accidental data leaks.
Full disk encryption: ProtonVPN servers use full disk encryption. Even if someone physically seized a server, they couldn't extract user data.
✅ Pros of ProtonVPN
- Swiss jurisdiction outside UK surveillance laws
- Independently audited no-logs policy
- Secure Core for extra privacy protection
- Included with Proton Unlimited subscription
- Open-source apps anyone can audit
- Strong encryption (AES-256, Perfect Forward Secrecy)
❌ Cons of ProtonVPN
- Smaller server network than NordVPN
- Free tier has limited server access
- Speeds can vary on distant servers
- No dedicated IP option currently
Comparing Privacy-Focused VPNs for UK Users
While ProtonVPN integrates perfectly when switching from Big Tech to Proton Suite, it's worth knowing your options.
NordVPN offers a larger server network and slightly faster speeds in testing. They're based in Panama (another privacy-friendly jurisdiction) and have a solid no-logs policy. If you're not using the full Proton ecosystem, NordVPN might make more sense as a standalone VPN.
The advantage of ProtonVPN when switching from Big Tech is the integration. One subscription covers email, storage, calendar, passwords, and VPN. One login, one payment, one privacy policy to trust.
Common Problems When Switching from Big Tech (And Solutions)
I've helped a dozen friends migrate to Proton over the past year. Here are the issues that keep coming up:
Problem 1: "Some Websites Block My VPN"
Streaming services, banking sites, and some retailers block VPN connections. Annoying but solvable.
Solution: ProtonVPN offers split tunnelling. Route specific apps or websites outside the VPN while keeping everything else encrypted. Your banking app gets a direct connection, everything else stays private.
Alternatively, temporarily disconnect from the VPN for that specific task, then reconnect. Not ideal, but sometimes necessary.
Problem 2: "I Can't Find Old Emails"
The import process occasionally misses emails or doesn't preserve folder structures perfectly.
Solution: Keep your Gmail account active for at least three months. If you need an old email, you can still access it. Use Gmail's search to find it, then forward it to your Proton address.
For critical emails, export them as PDF or EML files before fully switching from Big Tech services. Store them locally as backups.
Problem 3: "Family Members Still Use Google"
You've switched to Proton, but your family still uses Gmail and Google Calendar. Sharing becomes complicated.
Solution: Proton Mail works with regular email. You can send and receive messages from Gmail users normally. For calendar sharing, export your Proton Calendar and share the ICS file, or use a shared calendar service that both sides can access.
Alternatively, convince family members to switch too. Proton's family plans cover multiple users at reasonable pricing.
Problem 4: "Storage Limits Are Tighter"
Google gives 15GB free, often enough for casual users. Proton's free tier offers less storage.
Solution: Clean up before migrating. Delete old emails, remove duplicate photos, archive files you rarely need to local storage. Most people can cut their cloud storage needs by 30-50% with basic housekeeping.
If you genuinely need lots of storage, Proton Unlimited includes 500GB. That covers most users switching from Big Tech free tiers.
Problem 5: "Work Requires Microsoft/Google"
Your employer uses Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. You can't switch work accounts.
Solution: Separate work and personal. Keep your work accounts on Big Tech platforms (you don't control that decision), but switch your personal accounts to Proton. Use ProtonVPN on your personal devices to encrypt your home internet usage.
On work devices, you probably can't install a VPN anyway due to company policies. That's fine. Focus on protecting your personal digital life.
The Cost of Switching from Big Tech
Let's talk money. Google and Apple offer free tiers that work well enough for basic use. Proton requires payment for full features.
Proton's pricing structure:
- Free tier: Basic email, limited VPN, no Drive or Calendar
- Proton Unlimited: Full email, 500GB Drive, Calendar, VPN, and Pass in one subscription
Compare this to what you're actually paying Big Tech. Not in money, but in data. Google made over £200 billion globally in 2024, almost entirely from advertising based on user data analysis. You're paying with your privacy, browsing history, location data, email content, and personal information.
When you factor in the privacy cost, Proton's paid tiers look reasonable. You're paying with money instead of data. Honest transaction.
Plus, consider what you might already pay for separately: VPN services, password managers, extra cloud storage. Proton Unlimited bundles all of these. For many users switching from Big Tech, it's actually cheaper than their current mix of services.
Is Switching from Big Tech Worth It?
Honest answer: depends on how much you value privacy.
If you're comfortable with Google reading your emails to target ads, fine. If you don't mind your ISP logging every website you visit for government access, that's your choice. If you trust Big Tech companies with your entire digital life, stick with what works.
But if you're reading this, you're probably not comfortable with that. You've noticed the creepy ad targeting. You've read about data breaches. You've seen the news stories about privacy violations. You want something better.
Switching from Big Tech to Proton Suite gives you that. Proper encryption, Swiss privacy laws, no advertising business model, and services that actually work well. It's not perfect (nothing is), but it's dramatically better for privacy than Google, Microsoft, or Apple.
The migration takes time. Plan for a week of active work, then another few weeks updating accounts gradually. But once it's done, you've opted out of the surveillance economy. Your emails stay private. Your files stay encrypted. Your browsing stays hidden.
That's worth a few hours of setup work.
Getting Started: Your First Steps
Right, you're convinced. Where do you actually start?
Step 1: Sign up for a Proton account. Start with the free tier to test everything, or jump straight to Unlimited if you want the full experience.
Step 2: Install and connect ProtonVPN. Get your connection encrypted before doing anything else.
Step 3: Set up Proton Mail and start the import process. This takes the longest, so get it running early.
Step 4: While emails import, set up Proton Drive and Calendar. Upload a few test files, create a test event, make sure everything works.
Step 5: Install Proton Pass and import your passwords. Test it on a few websites to verify auto-fill works.
Step 6: Use everything for a week. Send emails, store files, manage your calendar, let passwords auto-fill. Make sure you're comfortable with the interfaces.
Step 7: Start updating your important accounts. Banking first, then utilities, then subscriptions.
Step 8: Gradually reduce your Big Tech usage. Stop uploading to Google Drive. Use Proton Mail as your primary address. Let the old accounts fade away.
Take it slow. There's no rush. The goal is switching from Big Tech completely, but doing it properly takes time.
Ready to Protect Your Privacy?
ProtonVPN encrypts your connection while you migrate away from Big Tech surveillance. Swiss-based, no-logs policy, and included with Proton Unlimited. Start with their free tier to test the service, then upgrade for full features.
Proton VPN from £3.59/mo→Advanced Privacy: Going Beyond Proton
Switching from Big Tech to Proton Suite is a massive privacy upgrade. But if you want to go further, here are additional steps:
Use Tor for Sensitive Browsing
Tor Browser routes your connection through multiple encrypted nodes, making tracking nearly impossible. Slower than a VPN, but much more anonymous. Use it for particularly sensitive research or communications.
You can combine Tor with ProtonVPN for extra protection. Connect to ProtonVPN first, then use Tor. This hides your Tor usage from your ISP.
Self-Host When Possible
Cloud services always involve trusting someone else. Self-hosting means running your own servers at home.
Nextcloud can replace cloud storage. A home NAS handles file storage and backups. Self-hosted email is possible but complicated (stick with Proton unless you're very technical).
Use Burner Accounts
Create separate email addresses for different purposes. One for banking, one for shopping, one for social media. If one gets compromised or spammed, the others stay clean.
Proton supports email aliases, letting you create multiple addresses that all forward to your main inbox.
Pay Anonymously
Payment information links your identity to accounts. For maximum privacy, pay for services with cryptocurrency or prepaid cards.
Proton accepts Bitcoin and cash payments. Not necessary for most users, but available if you want it.
What About Work and School Accounts?
You probably can't switch your work email from Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. Your employer controls that decision.
Same with school or university accounts. Educational institutions use Big Tech services because they're cheap (often free) and easy to manage.
That's fine. Focus on separating work and personal. Use your employer's email for work stuff, Proton for personal. Keep work documents in OneDrive or Google Drive, personal files in Proton Drive.
On work devices, you're probably monitored anyway. Company IT can see everything you do on their computers and network. Accept that, and protect your personal devices instead.
Use ProtonVPN on your home network and personal devices. That's where your actual private life happens. Work is work, it's not private anyway.
Switching from Big Tech: The Reality Check
Let me be straight with you. Switching from Big Tech isn't always smooth.
Some websites will break. You'll forget to update an account and miss an important email. Your family will complain about calendar sharing being more complicated. You'll occasionally need to turn off your VPN to access something.
The first month is the hardest. You're learning new interfaces, remembering new passwords, dealing with migration hiccups. It's genuinely annoying at times.
But it gets easier. After a month, Proton Mail feels normal. After two months, you stop thinking about it. After three months, you wonder why you didn't switch sooner.
And the privacy gain is real. No more creepy targeted ads following you around the internet. No more wondering what Google knows about your health searches. No more ISP logging every website you visit.
Your digital life becomes actually private again. That's worth some temporary inconvenience.
Final Thoughts on Switching from Big Tech
You've made it this far. You understand why switching from Big Tech matters. You know what Proton offers. You've seen the step-by-step migration process.
Now you need to decide: is your privacy worth the effort?
For me, absolutely. I switched my personal accounts to Proton eight months ago. My emails are encrypted. My files are private. My browsing is hidden behind ProtonVPN. Google doesn't know what I search for anymore. My ISP can't log my browsing history.
It took about two weeks of active migration work, then another month of gradually updating accounts. Occasionally annoying, but never difficult. And now it's done. My digital life is genuinely private for the first time in years.
The surveillance economy runs on people accepting that privacy is dead. That Google reading your emails is normal. That targeted advertising is just how the internet works. That governments logging your browsing is necessary for security.
It's not. Privacy is still possible. You just have to choose it.
Switching from Big Tech to Proton Suite is that choice. It's saying your personal information belongs to you, not to advertisers and data brokers. It's opting out of surveillance capitalism. It's taking control back.
Start with ProtonVPN. Encrypt your connection today. Then migrate your email next week. Then your files. Then your calendar and passwords. One step at a time, you'll build a private digital life that actually respects you.
The Big Tech companies won't miss you. They've got billions of other users to surveil. But you'll notice the difference. No more creepy ads. No more privacy anxiety. Just your data, encrypted and private, exactly as it should be.
That's worth switching for.
