Why do paid email providers ask for more money than VPS or webhosters?

Because hosting an email server automatically makes you a target, and you have to deal with that every day.

>>59776793
The average Wordpress site is also under attack 24/7 though, with bots trying to log in.

ProtonMail Plus is about the same as a cheap VPS.

Email needs bandwidth and servers. VPNs need those too. Email also needs storage, and more security, since there's something to secure.

>>59776823
not the same thing you dense moron
email providers have to deal with their uses doing illegal shit using their services

>>59776780
Run your own mail server on a VPS then.

Staying out of other providers spam folders takes a bit of tinkering though.