All of these nine email providers are popular and offer unique advantages that distinguish them from free Gmail and Yahoo Mail alternatives.
In 2012, Gmail surpassed Hotmail as the world’s most popular email provider, and it has since continued to dominate with over 1.8 billion users. Meanwhile, Yahoo Mail remains a well-known alternative, though its user base of around 230 million active users is much smaller than Gmail’s. However, there are other free email providers worth considering. If you prefer not to use Gmail or Yahoo, here are some of the top email services available.
1. Microsoft Outlook
Outlook can be a confusing email service to navigate. Microsoft has not done a great job of distinguishing between its various offerings, including free email accounts, the free Windows app, and the paid Office 365 app. However, if you’re just looking for a free email account, there’s no need to worry about the differences. Simply sign up for an @outlook.com email address and start using the service.
In fact, Outlook has become the second most popular free email provider in the world, surpassing Yahoo. One of the main advantages of using Outlook is its strong integration with Windows 10 and 11 operating systems, given that it is operated by Microsoft. Additionally, Outlook works seamlessly with the Office 365 app, making it a convenient choice for those who use that suite of productivity tools.
Whether you prefer to use the web client or the desktop client, you’ll be in good company. According to recent data, 16 percent of all email messages sent are opened on one of these two apps. So, while Outlook’s terminology may be confusing, it’s clear that many people find the service to be a valuable email provider.
2. GMX Mail
GMX Mail is a free online email service that has been around since 1997 and is a subsidiary of United Internet, one of Germany’s largest internet service providers. In recent years, GMX Mail has been gaining popularity among email users.
Although it only has around 15 million active monthly users, it ranks among the top ten free email providers in terms of user numbers. This fact highlights the enduring dominance of services like Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook.
GMX Mail offers a range of features, including 1GB of file storage, a 50MB attachment limit, and support for both IMAP and POP. The service’s most notable feature is its 65GB of email storage, which provides ample space for users to store their emails without worrying about running out of storage.
Unfortunately, GMX Mail does not offer an RSS reader or a conversation view, which could be a disadvantage for some users. However, the service still provides a solid email experience with a generous amount of storage and useful features.
3. Zoho Mail
Zoho Mail is a relatively new addition to the list of free email providers, having been launched in October 2008. Despite its short existence, the service has emerged as one of the best free email providers outside of the popular troika of Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook. The service has attracted over 12 million active users in just a few years, thanks to its ad-free web client, even for free users.
Zoho Mail provides all the standard features you would expect from a free email provider, including multi-level folders, conversation views, drag-and-drop inbox organizing, and filters. One unique feature of Zoho Mail is that it allows users to set up email at their domain for free.
However, the service does not have an integrated video chat tool, which may be a drawback for some users. Overall, Zoho Mail is a solid option for those seeking a reliable and ad-free email experience.
Zoho Mail is not just a standalone email service but is also part of a larger office productivity suite. The service is closely integrated with Zoho Docs, which is an alternative to Microsoft Office and Google Docs. With Zoho Docs, users can create, edit, and collaborate on text documents, presentations, and spreadsheets.
The integration with Zoho Docs allows for seamless collaboration and workflow management between email and productivity tasks. This makes Zoho Mail a great option for businesses and organizations that require an all-in-one solution for their communication and productivity needs.
4. iCloud
iCloud is Apple’s entry into the world of free email providers. It’s a cloud-based service that supports a range of other Apple services such as Photo Stream, Keychain, Find My iPhone, and iCloud Drive, among others. While the exact number of @iCloud.com email addresses in use is unknown, it’s estimated that over 850 million people use iCloud.
iCloud is seamlessly integrated with the default mail client on both macOS and iOS devices. However, on the web client, users can only access their iCloud email addresses, while mobile users can add multiple email providers to the app. Users get 5GB of free storage, which is shared across emails, documents, photos, and other data. If you use iCloud for emails and receive large attachments frequently, you might need to pay for additional storage space.
5. AOL Mail
AOL Mail has been in the free online email business for a long time, going live in March 1993. In fact, it is three years older than Hotmail, four years older than Yahoo Mail, and almost ten years older than Gmail.
Although it once had a massive user base, the numbers have been decreasing in recent years. In 2006, it had 50 million active monthly users, and as recently as 2010, it was the third-largest email provider in the world. However, today, the number of active users is down to just 1.5 million.
Despite being a recognizable brand name with millions of users, it may not be the best choice for a new email account. Research has shown that “email bias” exists, where potential employers are less likely to hire someone with an AOL or Hotmail address. It suggests that the applicant is stuck in 1996, which is not a desirable trait in a rapidly advancing technological world.
6. ProtonMail
ProtonMail, established in 2014 at CERN in Switzerland, has rapidly become a top email provider due to its emphasis on confidentiality. The company benefits from Switzerland’s strict privacy regulations, including the Federal Data Protection Act and the Federal Data Protection Ordinance, which are among the strongest privacy protections worldwide.
One of ProtonMail’s most significant features is client-side encryption, which safeguards the message’s content before it reaches the company’s servers. As a result, the firm does not have the technical ability to access your messages, removing the risk of being forced to give the contents of an email to a third party. This differs from mainstream providers such as Gmail and Outlook.
ProtonMail requires minimal information at sign-up and does not track or log your sessions. Self-destructing messages are also available as a unique feature. If this approach appeals to you, check out other secure email services as well.
7. mail.com
Mail.com and GMX Mail are sister companies owned by United Internet, offering similar email services to users. Mail.com comes with several useful features that make it a great option for users looking for a free email service. These features include a generous 65GB of online storage for emails, 10 alias addresses, and 2GB of file storage.
In addition to these features, Mail.com also provides an office suite that’s similar to Microsoft Office and Google Docs, allowing users to create and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations directly from their email accounts. The service also includes a calendar and contacts management tool, making it easy to keep track of appointments, meetings, and important events.
Overall, Mail.com is a reliable and feature-rich email service that’s worth considering, especially if you need a lot of storage space for your emails and files, and want access to an integrated office suite.
8. Tutanota
Tutanota is an email service that offers both free and paid plans, but even its free plan comes with a variety of features. Additionally, the email clients that it provides for different operating systems are open-source, meaning anyone can view, modify, and redistribute the code.
One of the standout features of Tutanota’s free plan is its 1GB of storage. Additionally, it offers a calendar and operates using 100% green energy. Another important aspect of Tutanota is its commitment to encrypted mail, which ensures that your messages are kept secure and private. Finally, the service is ad-free, which means you won’t have to put up with annoying ads while you’re using it.
9. Yandex Mail
Yandex is a Russian search engine and internet company that also provides a free email service. Apart from email, Yandex offers a range of other products including online storage with 5GB of free storage on Yandex Disk. Additionally, Yandex provides an office suite, as well as calendar and contacts management.
One unique feature of Yandex is that it offers a “Lite” version of its email service for users with slower internet connections. This Lite version uses less data and resources, making it ideal for users with limited bandwidth or older devices. Overall, Yandex offers a solid email service with some useful additional features.
