Finding the best email provider is difficult. There’s a lot to consider – especially on remote working days. All the email services we selected have decent free services. But we’ve also tested their business-friendly commercial products, which deliver the power, functionality, and enterprise-level extras demanding users need.
You will find free email providers everywhere, but some free services are far superior to others. This post walks you through the best email providers and the features that make them stand out.
1. Gmail
Gmail topping the list of the best free email accounts shouldn’t come as a surprise. The free email service from Google is sleek, closely linked with the rest of the company’s services, and effective at preventing spam.
Other useful features include scheduling emails to be sent later, postponing emails for later, and viewing Mail offline. You can also share files from your Drive account and send emails that expire and require a special code to read. In addition, you can also store messages in a 15 GB vault, undo message sending, and configure vacation responses.
Gmail is more closely connected with Google’s other products now that Google Workspace is open to all users. You can collaborate with others on projects or host online meetings with workspace. In addition, you can see and hear the people you’re working with while writing a message or reading an email since it integrates with Meet’s picture-in-picture feature.
You can use many themes to change Gmail’s appearance and access many sophisticated options. It also allows you to create filters and labels, import messages from other email accounts, and utilize a chat client. Additionally, you can add-ons (gadgets) to Gmail to enhance its capabilities.
Every address ends with @gmail.com.
Pros:
- Includes features for private messaging.
- Excellent spam protection
- comes with 15 GB of storage for emails and other stuff.
- Has good integration with other Google services.
Cons:
- Challenging to work with labels and folders.
2. Outlook
Like Gmail, Microsoft’s free email service, Outlook.com, features a reliable interface that is simple to use. As a result, it easily comes in second place to Google’s email service if not tied for first.
The website is user-friendly; it only takes a right-click on an email to reveal further options like:
- Moving and deleting messages
- Searching all emails from a particular sender.
Outlook has support for mail rules, so you can configure new messages to go to a certain folder automatically. For example, you can set certain criteria to classify, mark, or forward the messages. Additionally, you can utilize add-ons like PayPal and DocuSign and connect straight to Skype through your email.
You can use the @outlook.com or @hotmail.com sign at the end of your email address.
Pros:
- Easy to use UI.
- Closely works with other Microsoft services.
- Automatically arranges Mail.
- Multiple account aliases to cover up your real email address.
Cons:
- It takes a while to load
3. Yahoo Mail
Yahoo Mail stands out since it offers 1 TB of free email storage to every new user. In addition, it’s simple to choose between inline picture attachments and standard file attachments in the compose window, comparable to Gmail’s in one beneficial way.
This email service is arguably the finest for using many identities or aliases. In addition, you can establish disposable Yahoo addresses linked to your mailbox without disclosing your real address. This function comes in handy when you register for accounts and don’t want your main inbox clogged up with spam or pointless emails. You can dispose of the address if the spam gets out of control.
You can also import contacts from a file on your computer and other accounts like Facebook or Outlook. Insert GIFs from an integrated GIF library, and use themes to alter the website’s background and color scheme. Additionally, you can use the online calendar app, utilize the built-in notepad, and attach files from Google Drive or Dropbox. Finally, you can link other accounts and manage your emails from a single interface.
Examples@yahoo.com is the default email format for Yahoo Mail accounts.
Pros:
- Ample email storage.
- Allows you to create many free throwaway email accounts.
- Built-in GIF database.
- The email area makes it simple to use Yahoo Calendar.
Cons:
- The email domain has just one option.
- Fewer filters/rules compared to other email services.
4 Aol Mail
Another option for a free email account is AOL Mail. Depending on your preferences, the top stories from AOL.com may or may not seem like a welcome addition to the home page.
You can limit your messages to show unread, read, or marked emails, like most email providers. For example, you may set up filters and blacklist email senders using AOL Mail.
Your AOL.com account comes with an inbox-based calendar and to-do list. However, some services, like a chat room, need a premium AOL Desktop Gold subscription.
With an AOL email account, you can send and receive an email at example@aol.com and messages at example@aim.com.
Pros:
- The email page has quick access to a calendar and to-do list.
- Choose from a selection of themes.
- Can spellcheck each email before sending it.
Cons:
- It’s easy to open the news section instead of your email.
- A lot of advertisements.
- Some features necessitate a paid AOL Desktop Gold membership.
5. Yandex Mail
The Russian company Yandex offers a variety of features and free email addresses, including a search engine, calendar service, and 10 GB of cloud storage. Similar to Google, you can log into these services using your Yandex.Mail email account.
The user interface is friendly. It has a straightforward layout, is simple to understand, and has all the required resources. Like most of the other providers on our list, this includes email filtering, contact importing and exporting, tasks, and hotkeys.
It’s one of the best available since it’s also exceptional in many ways. For example, you can send messages in bulk as file attachments. In addition, it features delayed messaging, and you may receive email notifications and follow-up reminders if you don’t receive a response. Finally, you can replace the @ symbol with your website’s domain name (for free).
All addresses finish by default with @yandex.com.
Pros:
- 10 GB of shared storage for email and more Yandex services.
- Allows you to register using an existing Facebook, Twitter, or Gmail account.
- Notifies you if the receiver doesn’t reply after a specified number of days.
- Features a built-in translator.
Cons:
- You need a specific Yandex app to utilize 2FA (most providers use Google Authenticator).
- It is not possible to modify the 24-hour time format.
6. Proton Mail
Proton Mail‘s emphasis on email encryption sets it apart from other email providers as its primary differentiator. The concept is that you can send Mail without worrying that Proton Mail staff or anybody outside the receiver would read it.
Proton Mail users can send encrypted messages to one another. Otherwise, choose that button when you’re prepared to email a non-user. If you encrypt a message, you can define an expiry time so that it is destroyed and unreadable after the period you designate.
Proton Mail users can send encrypted messages to one another. Otherwise, choose that button when you’re prepared to email a non-user. If you encrypt a message, you can define an expiry time so that it is destroyed and unreadable after the period you designate.
To decode the message and show it in the browser, recipients of encrypted communications click on a link in the email that requests their password. As a result, they don’t need a Proton Mail account. Instead, they can reply with the same Mail they decrypted over an encrypted connection.
Link Confirmation is another privacy-conscious feature that protects against phishing attempts by presenting a pop-up window when selecting a link and allowing you to confirm its destination before proceeding.
Emails have a @proton.me suffix.
Pros:
- Heavily relies on email data encryption.
- Send encrypted emails to anybody, even if they don’t have Proton Mail.
- Set the expiration date for an email.
Cons:
- 1GB storage space only.
- 150 Messages per day are allowed on a free account.
- No vacation replies.
- It only supports three folders and labels.
7. Zoho Mail
Although Zoho Mail offers free email service, Zoho is a collection of online business-oriented software.
The minimalist design could be the first thing you notice when composing a message, which can be a good thing. You can quickly navigate between a new message you’ve written and the rest of your Mail by using the little tabs at the top of the screen.
With the help of the Streams feature, it’s simple to set up groups where you and the other team members may communicate via shared messages and attachments. It functions something like a personal social media site.
There are all the common compose tools available. Still, you can also insert tables into your messages and add files from services like Zoho Docs, Google Drive, OneDrive, and Box. You can also utilize keyboard shortcuts, set up filters for automatic management, set up vacation replies, and create new notes and tasks. In addition, you can also submit custom domains to an allow or block list and create new tasks and notes.
Every address ends with @zohomail.com.
Pros:
- Useful for teams.
- Supports email windows with tabs.
- Easier to connect to other Zoho apps.
- It has a simple, minimalistic design.
Cons:
- Difficult to manage all the other related Zoho apps.
- Primarily intended for business use.
8. Tutanota
In the same way that Proton Mail automatically encrypts your emails, Tutanota (Latin for “tuta nota,” which means “secure message”) does the same. However, if you’d like, you can turn off end-to-end encryption.
One aspect that stands out is the need for you to generate a strong password before you can create your account. While some sites mandate it, such as Tutanota, others advise you to make your password stronger.
The web interface is simple and offers menu transitions that combine the email settings and mail folders. For example, you can choose to keep communications unencrypted or password secured when sending them to non-users. If a password is required, the recipient will receive a special link to access the message; they will need to input the password to read and answer.
The communications are saved in the temporary account when the user replies to an email without using Tutanota, which is the best feature. With any other email provider, you can exchange emails back and forth. At the same time, the receiver can have the connection open at all times.
Tutanota offers features including an email signature, up to 1 GB of storage, and automated contact addition, even though it is less well-known than Gmail or Yahoo. You can pay a fee to get premium features.
Any of the following domains allow you to create an account: tutanota.com, tutanota.de, tutamail.com, tuta.io, and keemail.me.
Pros:
- Automatically encrypts email.
- Email non-users using encryption.
- Several domain options for new accounts.
- Requires a secure email password.
Cons:
- It only has 1 GB of storage.
- Some functions need a premium account.
9. iCloud Mail
Because many people are unaware they are just a few steps away from having one, iCloud Mail is an intriguing service. Because of this, it’s one of the better providers: Most people can quickly put it up.
Anyone who creates an Apple ID can use it for free, but it’s not only for Apple products. Anyone can register for a free iCloud ID and use their computer to access iCloud Mail.
You can log in after creating an account from any computer to access various services in addition to your email, including notes, reminders, and images. In addition, you can also access iCloud Drive material, contacts, calendar events, and anything else synced to iCloud from your iOS device.
If you want a lot of alternatives, the email feature of iCloud definitely won’t be very useful to you. But setting it up is simple; you don’t have to worry about adding your name and picking a password. Everything functions as intended with your existing Apple ID or a new, cost-free iCloud account.
IMAP support, forwarding options, support for big file attachments (up to 5 GB through Mail Drop), 5 GB of free space storage for emails and other iCloud files, and a two-click mechanism to unsubscribe from undesired emails are all included.
New accounts have a @icloud.com suffix.
Pros:
- Easy setup for both Apple and PC.
- Unsubscribing from email lists is easy.
- 5 GB of online storage.
- Works from a computer or mobile device.
Cons:
- Less advanced than some other providers.
10. 10 Minute Mail
If you want an email address immediately, temporarily, and without going through the usual user registration procedures, 10 Minute Mail is among the best email services.
It’s not a full-fledged email service, as the name would imply, as you only get an account for 10 minutes. However, it is still featured here since it is great for use if you want a temporary email address.
You can get a disposable email address from this website instead of your main email address for everything else. Then, when the time is over, leave the website or wait for the time to run out. You’ll get emails just as you would with a regular account, but they won’t be associated with your identity.
When you want to test a service but don’t want to get emails in your primary inbox, 10 Minute Mail is ideal. It is a legitimate email address from which you can receive confirmation emails and responses, but it disappears quickly.
You can use it for longer if needed, but you’ll need to reset the clock using the button on the email page before the allotted 10 minutes have passed.
Pros:
- Gives you an address in a matter of seconds.
- Without making an online account, you can get an account.
- After 10 minutes, it dissolves on its own.
Cons:
- Every account is subject to a 10-minute time limit.
- The addresses are too long to memorize.
Conclusion
Look for a few qualities in a free email account before selecting one to help you decide which is ideal. The storage capacity you get, how the interface looks and can be customized, and whether additional features, including messaging, filters, and the capacity to import other data, are offered vary.
Your real email address is likely important to you as well. Go to the next option on the list if your initial pick doesn’t provide the address you want. Try several combinations and variants to find ones not taken. A clever strategy for creating something original is to employ a username generator.
Suppose you’re creating a new email account because you don’t remember your current one. In that case, it may be faster to figure out your email address rather than create an altogether new one.
