Send encrypted email.
Support your own domain name.
Support signing documents.
It's too much for many users.
It's not free.
Are you sending large amounts of sensitive files and documents? Hushmail prides itself on being a service used by many professionals for its encrypted security features and contract support. The latter means you can send documents within the app and use electronic signatures on contracts, giving you peace of mind.
This is a bit overkill for the average user who wants to use a backup email service, but for those looking for high-end security, it's worth it. You can also tie it to any domain name you own so you don't have to worry about ugly email addresses. 10GB of storage is also a good starting point.
02/08 what we likeHighly secure.
Free option.
Easy to use.
Paid services have the most features.
The free service has limited customer support.
Over the years, ProtonMail has built a reputation for being highly secure. It is often considered one of the most secure ways to send email due to its end-to-end encryption capabilities and strict password protection service.
For free, you get 500MB of storage and are limited to 150 messages per day, so the Plus service for a few bucks a month is superior. With the paid service, you can set up folders, tags, custom filters, and better customer support. No matter what you choose, though, ProtonMail is very secure. Since security is a priority, you don't have to worry about anyone accessing your email. Not even ProtonMail itself can read them.
03/08 what we likeApple users already have an account.
Easy to use.
free.
Not available for Android users.
Own an iPhone or Mac? You've almost certainly obtained an iCloud email address by signing up for various services. An iCloud.com domain name may be more exciting, but it's free and convenient. The interface looks like a simpler version of Gmail, making it easier to use. This is reflected in its features, which make no mention of solid encryption or anything beyond the basics.
You only get 5GB of free iCloud storage, but it's a good plan that's completely free. Bundled with all your Apple devices, you don't need to worry about complicated setup. For Apple users, this is the perfect starting point for changing email providers.
04/08 what we likeThere are many choices for domain names.
30MB attachment limit.
Spam filter.
The free tier only offers 2GB of storage space.
POP3 is not supported.
Mail.com is one of the oldest email services with some really cool personalization features. It depends on the large number of domains you can choose from for your email address. You don't have to be tied to the @mail.com domain. Instead, you can express your personality through fun options like elvisfan.com, graduate.com or techie.com.
The free plan works for many people, but if you want more flexibility, such as the ability to send emails from different applications or providers with POP3 support, you'll need to pay. Mail.com also only has a 2GB file storage limit. However, if you're just going to exchange messages, a domain name is a great way to have some fun. It's perfect for trivial accounts.
05/08 what we likeSimple interface.
Integrated with Windows.
Sync options.
Low file size limit.
Storage space is low.
Outlook is the equivalent of iCloud in Windows, making everything simple. Its interface is simple, making it ideal for newbies and those who want to send a few emails. It integrates well with Windows, so it is a popular product among a large number of Windows users. It can also sync your calendar, contacts, OneDrive and OneNote, integrating itself neatly into your daily activities.
As an email service, though, it can be a little basic at times. It only has 5GB of storage, which is not the lowest but could still be better. Additionally, you can only send files up to 5MB in size. For convenience, though, Windows users can't go wrong here.
06/08 what we likeNo ads.
Simple interface.
Good spam filter.
Features are limited.
Not free.
Want a completely ad-free service? Fastmail is perfect for this purpose. It's easy to use and you don't have to worry about your emails being sold for targeted advertising. Fastmail also offers excellent spam filters that effectively block unwanted content.
You do need to pay for the privilege, though. That's a relatively small monthly fee, depending on how much storage you want, but it means you won't be using it as a throwaway account. The free trial means you can give it a try, and we love the minimalist theme involved. Everything from setup to logging in takes seconds, which is great.
07/08 what we likeHuge storage space.
Large attachments are allowed.
Mobile application.
There is no encryption.
Requires more details to be entered than other services.
Lots of advertising.
GMX is a completely free email service that is heavily advertising supported. That means it's not immediately appealing, but it offers plenty of storage space. That's because it allows you to store over 500,000 emails at any time and accepts attachments up to 50MB. This is far superior to many other email providers, which is helpful if you're a heavy user.
It also works on almost every mobile app platform imaginable. Other features include an online calendar, so you get Gmail-style functionality. You can add email aliases to GMX if needed. For simple, non-essential emails, GMX has you covered.
08/08 what we likeTons of customization features.
Easy to use interface.
Large attachments are allowed.
Spam problem.
Lots of advertising.
Yahoo Mail is easy to use. Its interface is closest to Gmail and is great for simply sending a few emails. It also has many different themes available so you can make the interface look just how you like.
Yahoo Mail also allows storage of up to 1000GB of emails and up to 100MB of attachments, which is impressive.
Its problem is spam. Due to its age and mediocre spam filters, you're likely to receive a lot of spam through this service. It also has quite a bit of advertising content, which isn't great.