// pgpony vs flowcrypt
PGPony vs FlowCrypt.
Both are modern OpenPGP apps with iOS and Android clients. FlowCrypt is Gmail-centric and built for enterprise deployment as well as individuals. PGPony is channel-agnostic and built for individuals. The mobile UX and tradeoffs differ significantly.
// the short version
You live in Gmail and want PGP that talks directly to your inbox? FlowCrypt. You want PGP that works the same in any channel (email, files, paste sites, SMS) regardless of email provider? PGPony.
At a glance.
| PGPony | FlowCrypt | |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | iOS, Android | iOS, Android, Chrome extension |
| Price | Free | Free under 100 users; enterprise paid |
| License | Proprietary; uses Bouncy Castle | Proprietary, public source on GitHub |
| Crypto libraries | Bouncy Castle (Android), Swift impl (iOS) | PGPainless (Android), OpenPGP.js (iOS, browser) |
| Email integration | System Share Sheet / Intent | Direct Gmail API + system Share |
| Works with non-Gmail mail | Any email client | Best with Gmail; supports others |
| OpenPGP v6 (RFC 9580) | Import, decrypt, verify | v6 work in progress in libraries |
| Key generation | Ed25519 + Cv25519 default | Ed25519 / Cv25519 or RSA |
| QR key exchange | Yes | No |
| Biometric unlock | Yes (per-decryption optional) | Yes (app-level) |
| Account required | No | Sign in for Gmail integration |
| Enterprise admin | No (individual app) | Yes (paid tier) |
| Best for | Individual users, any channel | Gmail users, enterprise deployments |
Honest tradeoffs.
Where FlowCrypt wins
- Direct Gmail integration. FlowCrypt connects to Gmail through Google\'s API and presents your encrypted inbox inline, with decryption happening in-app. If your entire workflow is Gmail, this is a noticeably smoother experience than PGPony\'s "copy to PGPony, decrypt, copy back" loop.
- Enterprise-ready. FlowCrypt sells to organizations with central admin, key escrow options, and Google Workspace Client-Side Encryption integration. PGPony has no enterprise product.
- Established and funded. FlowCrypt a.s. is a real company with paid customers and dedicated security review. PGPony is a solo indie developer\'s side project — fewer resources, but also no vendor risk in the corporate sense.
- Bug bounty program. FlowCrypt runs a public bug bounty for security researchers. PGPony does not (yet).
- Browser extension too. Chrome extension for desktop Gmail. PGPony is mobile-only by design.
Where PGPony wins
- No account, no sign-in. Install PGPony, generate a key, done. FlowCrypt for individuals also works without an account for offline use, but the Gmail-integrated flow requires Google sign-in. PGPony never needs any sign-in.
- Channel-independent. PGPony encrypts text and files for use in any channel — email, SMS, Slack, paste sites, code review tools. FlowCrypt is email-oriented (especially Gmail). For non-email PGP usage, PGPony fits better.
- OpenPGP v6 import today. PGPony imports v6 keys, decrypts v6 messages, and verifies v6 signatures right now. FlowCrypt\'s consumer-facing v6 support is still in progress.
- QR code key exchange. Hand someone your public key by scanning a QR — useful for non-email handoffs. FlowCrypt does not have this.
- Per-decryption biometric prompt. PGPony optionally requires Face ID / fingerprint for every single decryption, not just app open. FlowCrypt uses app-level biometric lock.
- Six-language localization. English, German, Spanish, French, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese fully localized. FlowCrypt is primarily English.
- Free, no tier limits. PGPony has no scale ceiling and no "Pro" upsell. FlowCrypt is free under 100 users but paid above.
Use case fit.
The cleanest mental model: FlowCrypt is "encrypted Gmail with PGP under the hood". PGPony is "a PGP toolbox you reach for from anywhere on your phone".
- If you live in Gmail all day — FlowCrypt\'s inline decryption inside the inbox view is real productivity. PGPony will work with Gmail, but as a separate app you switch to and from.
- If your email is iCloud Mail, Outlook, FastMail, Proton, or anything not Gmail — FlowCrypt\'s deepest advantage doesn\'t apply. PGPony is the more natural fit.
- If you encrypt files, SMS, Slack messages, or code reviews — anything outside an inbox — PGPony was designed for this. FlowCrypt can do it through general clipboard / file flows, but it\'s not the primary product.
- If you\'re deploying PGP across a team / company — FlowCrypt\'s enterprise tier handles this with central management. PGPony is not built for centralized deployment.
- If you want PGP that\'s opinionated about staying local and personal — PGPony stores keys only on-device, has no telemetry, no account, no servers in the path beyond optional WKD / HKP lookups.
The verdict.
- Choose FlowCrypt if Gmail is your primary email and you want PGP woven into that workflow specifically. Or you\'re deploying encrypted email across an organization and need central administration. Or you value the enterprise-software qualities (funded company, bug bounty, support contracts).
- Choose PGPony if Your email is non-Gmail. Or you encrypt content outside email (files, SMS, paste sites, Slack). Or you want OpenPGP v6 import today. Or you prefer no-account, no-sign-in, local-only key management. Or you\'re part of a multilingual audience (six languages localized).
- Try both if Free is free. Install both, generate the same key in both, see which workflow feels right. The OpenPGP standard means there\'s zero lock-in — your key works in either app forever.
Try PGPony
Free. No accounts. No tracking. Works with everything that speaks OpenPGP.