With over 1 billion monthly active users and the might of almighty Google backing it up, Google Mail is definitely not to be sneezed at. At least not if you require access to other Google-fabulous services like Google Docs, Drive, Hangouts, and much more which are lip-synced to your Gmail account and make the wonders of the web gloriously accessible and sweetly likable.
Reasons to consider a Gmail alternative?
If you are looking for a Gmail alternative, then look no further. We are here to discuss some of the issues this email service has and why they matter. Now, we are not arguing that Gmail doesn’t work. In fact, it is one of those names that needs no introduction.
As the world’s most popular email service provider, Gmail has over 1.8 billion active users. It means almost 22% of the total world population uses this platform to send and receive emails.
There is no doubt that Gmail is a solid option as far as email services go, but is it all good? We have listed a few reasons why it might be in your best interest to use a different email provider altogether:
- As Gmail’s parent, Google has always been surrounded by privacy and data mining concerns, which doesn’t reflect well on the email service.
- It also lacks sufficient customization, which we have come to expect from apps, especially in 2023.
- The service is also prone to hacks and has been used for phishing.
- Although Gmail offers 15 GB of storage, which at one time felt like a lot, it might not be as great today.
- Gmail is also used by many email marketers and even has a separate tab to store promotional content.
- Furthermore, it is too deeply entrenched in the Google ecosystem.
- To date, the platform has never tried to offer any security measures, such as encryption.
- And from a business point of view, the email service simply lacks the necessary tools and features.
Comparison of the Gmail Alternatives
Email Service | Custom Domain | Storage | Security | Integration | Usability | Best For |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mail.com | Yes | Unlimited | Spam Filters | Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo | Good | Custom Domain Users |
Yahoo Mail | No | Unlimited | Basic | Gmail, Facebook, Outlook | Good | General Email Users |
Hushmail | Yes | 25 GB | Strong Encryption | Limited | Average | Privacy-Conscious Users |
Outlook | No | Unlimited | Limited | Facebook, Microsoft Apps | Average | Microsoft Enthusiasts |
AOL Mail | Yes | Unlimited | Limited | Multiple Email Addresses | Average | Users Seeking Unlimited Storage |
Proton Mail | Yes | 1 GB | Strong Encryption | Limited | Average | Privacy-Conscious Users |
Inbox.com | No | 5 GB | Basic | Limited | Average | Users Needing Photo Sharing |
Tutanota | Yes | 1 GB | Strong Encryption | Limited | Average | Privacy-Conscious Users |
iCloud Mail | No | 5 GB | Basic | Apple Devices | Average | Apple Ecosystem Users |
CounterMail | No | Limited | Strong Encryption | Limited | Complex | Privacy-Conscious Users |
Fast Mail | No | Limited | Basic | Limited | Good | Customization and Anti-Spam Filters |
Facebook (Discontinued) | No | N/A | Limited | Facebook Integration | Limited | Discontinued |
Best Alternatives to Gmail
At present, due to its overall excellence, Gmail has few rivals. However, if you do have something against Google, feel like expanding the horizons of your experience, or have taken the recent hysteria over the privacy of your personal data very much to heart, then you should be acquainted with this list of the best Gmail alternatives made available to us all by different email providers.
While they might be somewhat limited in scope and popularity, won’t be nearly as orgasmic, and just might soon have you tearing out handfuls of your hair, they do generally get the job done. Here’s the list; once you finish reading kindly hide it and make sure Google doesn’t see it! These are the best alternatives to Gmail:
1. Mail.com
Charming, sleek, and capable, one of the best things we love about Mail.com is the freedom it gives you to choose from gazillions of domain names. Descriptive domain names like lovepizza.com, or tilldeathdouspart.com are certainly within reach with Mail.com.
Apart from heart-stirring monikers you also get spam filters, mobile service, a mail collector, unlimited mail storage, an antivirus scan function, and a 50 MB attachment limit. And did we mention its fab support for the likes of Gmail, Hotmail, and Yahoo? Which arguably makes it the best alternative to Gmail on this planet.
Pros
- Freedom to choose from various domain names
- Spam filters for enhanced security
- Mobile service for on-the-go access
- Unlimited mail storage
- 50 MB attachment limit
Cons
- Limited user base compared to Gmail
- May not offer some advanced features
- Custom domain names may come with a fee
- Smaller domain selection compared to major providers
2. Yahoo Mail
It seems that reports about the death of the once great Yahoo Mail have been horribly exaggerated. Rather than dead and buried, it’s still very much alive and resurgent too, if news about it is to be believed.
Extensively modified and upgraded it can be accessed on both mobile devices and PCs, and comes with unlimited storage and the ability to import contacts from the likes of Gmail, Facebook, Outlook, and lots more. As well, its famed Yahoo Instant Messaging service is still delish. With 1 TB of storage and tons of radical improvement, Yahoo Mail now rocks!
Pros
- Extensively modified and upgraded
- Accessible on both mobile devices and PCs
- Unlimited storage
- Import contacts from other platforms
- Integrated Yahoo Instant Messaging service
Cons
- Doesn’t offer some advanced features
- Smaller user base
- Potential security concerns due to past data breaches
3. Hushmail
This baby works like a dream on a wide variety of mobile and PC platforms. On signing up you get encryption out of the box, a generous 25 GB of storage, and no ads to distract and irritate you. Not to mention a list of rather funky domain names, the sort Santa might have forgotten on your porch from which you can pick and choose.
All in all, when you are looking to replace your Gmail account, Hushmail clearly has your back. If you find that 15 GB of storage by Google isn’t enough to force you to create a Gmail account, Hushmail may be the alternative.
Pros
- Wide compatibility with mobile and PC platforms
- Encryption for secure communications
- 25 GB of storage
- No ads
- Customizable domain names
Cons
- Limited brand recognition
- May lack some advanced features
- Feels slow sometimes
4. Outlook
Specifically made for die-hard Microsoft fanatics, Outlook is an email client well worth courting and getting hitched to. It comes with Office Web Apps, as well as Sky Drive for excellent productivity.
Flexible as it is, it can be used to send and receive mail from other email accounts, and lets you import and gist with your Facebook homies via messaging. And is also additionally suitable for updating your Facebook status, publishing photos and the like, and generally any other Facebook-worthy activity you feel like carrying out.
With unlimited storage space, the sky is clearly the limit with Outlook, which clearly makes it worth a hot look. If you are seriously looking for alternatives to Gmail that lets you rock your social media empire, you can’t do much better than this.
Pros
- Designed for Microsoft enthusiasts
- Office Web Apps and Sky Drive integration
- Sending and receiving mail from other accounts
- Interaction with Facebook friends
- Unlimited storage space
Cons
- Costly
- Complex interface
- Limited integration
- Storage constraints
- Security risks
5. AOL Mail
Once upon a time, AOL Mail gave quite stiff competition to the likes of Gmail and Yahoo Mail. Those days are not forever gone it seems as AOL Mail still offers excellent value. It has been thoroughly shaken up to make it extra competitive and enchanting, and comes with unlimited storage, and an attachment limit of 25 MB.
You also get a list of email domain names to choose from, ranging from the functional to the truly funky. All these goodies are free, as are lots of customization options. Which includes seamless access and integration with and to your other email addresses. Talk about efficiency!
Pros
- Extensively updated and competitive
- Unlimited storage
- 25 MB attachment limit
- Customizable email domain names
- Integration with other email addresses
Cons
- Outdated platform
- Limited features
- Reliability issues
- Invasive ads
- Poor customer support
6. Proton Mail
Although Gmail reigns supreme, multiple contenders can’t wait to knock it off its throne. One such prospect is the CERN scientists developed Proton Mail. The email offers some of the best security features on the planet. It not only cares for the security of the mail in transit, but also caters to its security when at rest.
Furthermore, the developer adopts a zero-trust policy where the encryption keys stay on your device and can’t be seen even by the developers. Another feature includes a self-destructing message tool that offers an auto-deletion function to your emails, ensuring that they delete themselves periodically. If privacy is your primary concern, you can delete your Gmail account today and start using Proton Mail instead.
Pros
- High-level security features
- Encryption for both transit and rest
- Zero-trust policy for encryption keys
- Self-destructing message tool
- Privacy-focused email provider
Cons
- Limited third-party integration
- Slower compared to some providers
- Basic features in free version
7. Inbox.com
The goodies on offer at Inbox.com include a 5 GB storage limit, and the ability to store, tweak, and freely share your photos via an inbuilt photo module. Others include a 50 MB attachment limit, calendars, photos, reminders, and notes for jotting down anything that comes to mind. With no ads, as well as spam, virus, and malware protection, Inbox.com is a top email client you really need to check out.
Pros
- 5 GB storage limit
- Inbuilt photo module for photo sharing
- 50 MB attachment limit
- Calendars, reminders, and notes
- No ads and robust security features
Cons
- Limited features
- Outdated interface
- Less popular, potentially fewer resources
- Limited storage in free version
8. Tutanota
Of much more recent vintage than its rivals but no less sweet, Tutanota is designed to be as secure as possible. With all manner of governments and intelligence services intent on reading your emails and whatnot, Tutanota takes care of that by superbly encrypting your emails, contacts, and everything else from end to end.
When you sign up, you also get around five domain names to pick from, 1 GB of free storage to store your bag and baggage, and a 25 MB file attachment limit. As secure as Fort Knox, surprisingly painless to use, and with a rather attractive interface, Tutanota soon makes you start wondering why you and your entire village hadn’t signed up for it.
Pros
- Enhanced security with end-to-end encryption
- 1 GB of free storage
- Customizable domain names
- Secure email communication
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- Limited attachment size
- No POP/IMAP support
- Few third-party integrations
- Limited customizability
- Slower performance at times
9. iCloud Mail
For Apple fans, no email client does it better than iCloud Mail. This beauty seamlessly connects to the Apple universe and works with an Apple Email ID. With it, you can flawlessly sync your emails across the endless variety of Apple devices and get nearer to the foretold Apple Nirvana. It features a file upload limit of 20 MB, 5 GB of storage, and is ad-free and astoundingly easy to use.
Pros
- Ideal for Apple fans
- Seamless integration with Apple devices
- File upload limit of 20 MB
- 5 GB of storage
- Ad-free and user-friendly
Cons
- Limited storage capacity
- Restricted to Apple ecosystem
- Few advanced features
- No offline access
- Limited organizational tools
10. CounterMail
CounterMail might look like it got teleported here in the late 90s, but it has enough market experience and security features to make it a suitable alternative for Gmail. All in all, the email service is a bit crude with a redundant UI that is not only outdated but also hard enough to navigate.
Despite that, it has some of the strongest encryption in play, making the service an absolute go-to for privacy-centered users. The CounterMail service uses OpenPGP and 4096-bit encryption. There is also a no-logs policy in play. The servers are located in Sweden and value privacy protection laws. Other than that, there is also the password manager and full disk encryption.
Pros
- Strong encryption with OpenPGP and 4096-bit encryption
- No-logs policy
- Servers located in privacy-friendly Sweden
- Password manager and full disk encryption
- Secure email communication
Cons
- Pricey subscription model
- Complex for beginners
- Limited third-party integration
- No mobile app
- Less storage compared to rivals
11. Fast Mail
Minimalistic, simplistic, customizable, and uber-capable, Fast Mail has all you need in spades. Ad-free, its anti-spam filter can be tweaked just like you like it. As well, you can set it up so that important emails are always on top of the list where you can easily see them.
With Fast Mail, sending automated email invites has never been easier. Additionally, it enthusiastically supports DNS hosting, addressing, aliases, time zones, IMAP/POP3/SMTP, and some other exotic acronyms that all translate into fabulous services.
Pros
- Minimalistic and customizable
- Ad-free and anti-spam filters
- Easy setup for important emails
- Supports DNS hosting, aliases, and more
- Versatile features for productivity
Cons
- Costly subscription options
- Limited free storage
- Basic interface design
- Limited third-party integrations
- No end-to-end encryption
12. Facebook (Discontinued)
Who is not on Facebook these days? Apart from being the greatest, best, and sweetest social media site in existence Facebook also offers mailing services via their @facebook.com email account.
The service is available to all Facebook users and enables the sending and receiving of emails not only to your friends and family on the social media site, but also to external email clients like Yahoo or Gmail. Could life be sweeter, or is Facebook more alluring now that you know this? We think not.
Pros
- Accessible to all Facebook users
- Sending and receiving emails to/from external clients
- Integration with the Facebook ecosystem
- No need for additional sign-up
- Familiar social media user base
Cons
- Discontinued email service
- Limited privacy features
- No longer actively maintained
- No new sign-ups available
What do we recommend as a Gmail alternative?
We do believe that, on a fundamental level, nothing seems to be wrong with Gmail. However, looking deeper, one might find enough reasons to stay away. Which is why we are recommending some alternatives.
You can choose ProtonMail if security and privacy are your major concerns. Although, those who want something similar to Gmail, might also be happy with big names such as Yahoo Mail or AOL Mail. However, if you like Apple stuff, then you’d be happy with iCloud mail.
But if there is one service that stands out, it is Mail.com, which is not only highly customizable but even supports other platforms such as Gmail, Yahoo Mail, and so on.
Conclusion
While Gmail still rules, a lot of alternatives are still out there offering nearly equal excellent services. If you are one of those earnestly desiring to kick Google out of your life, just want to shake things up, or feel like tasting new tech experiences, then do sign up for a few. They are free, fun, and rad. And best of all, I won’t rat on you to Gmail!