The top 15 Gmail alternatives for 2024

Email has become a universal channel of communication, integrating itself into the professional and personal streams of almost everyone’s life. Astonishingly, an estimated 98% of individuals reportedly make use of email services.

While Google’s Gmail holds sizable popularity in this space, the year 2024 has brought a myriad of fascinating and versatile email alternatives worth considering.

Join us as we explore the top fifteen Gmail alternatives of 2024, each offering unique features and innovative improvements to enhance your emailing customer service experience.

Why consider alternatives to Gmail?

There are several reasons and key factors that might lead you to explore some Gmail alternatives, whether for personal use or for your business. Some of these reasons may include:

• Cost: While Gmail offers a free version, advanced business plans come with a monthly fee. Some users may seek a more cost-effective option, especially if they require additional features or more storage.
• User experience: Gmail’s interface used to be considered the most user-friendly on the market. Nowadays, many Gmail alternatives offer an intuitive interface. By exploring these email providers, users can find a platform that perfectly aligns with their preferences and facilitates an enjoyable experience.
• Compatibility and integrations: The integration between Gmail and other Google services is seamless. On the other hand, users that rely on other third-party apps may find that the Gmail alternatives provide better integration options and capabilities.
• Storage capacity: Gmail provides a limited amount of free storage, which is shared across multiple Google services, such as Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. This storage capacity may not be enough for users with high email volumes with large attachments.
• Better organization: Gmail has organization features that use categories and labels. This organization is sufficient for many, but may not be for everyone.
• Limited customization: Gmail’s customization options are quite limited compared to some of the other email services. If you are a person that requires a more personalized email experience or needs specific features for your business, you might consider an alternative provider instead.

Ultimately, considering alternatives is important for finding a platform that leads to higher customer satisfaction and retention. Exploring different email services helps you identify those that best meet your needs in terms of features, cost, and overall user experience.

A comparison chart of the top 5 Gmail alternatives

Platform	Capterra rating	Free version	Free trial	Price range
LiveAgent	4.7	✅Yes	✅Yes	$15 agent/month
Zoho Mail	4.5	❌No	✅Yes	€0.99 user/month
Outlook	4.5	✅Yes	✅Yes	$6 /month
Yahoo! Mail	4.2	✅Yes	❌No	$5 /month
Titan Mail	4.6	❌No	❌No	€2 per user/month

The 15 best Gmail alternatives

• LiveAgent
• Zoho Mail
• Outlook
• Yahoo! Mail
• Titan Mail
• Tutanota
• Hushmail
• Mailfence
• Mozilla Thunderbird
• Aol Mail
• iCloud Mail
• ProtonMail
• GMX Email
• Yandex Mail
• Fastmail

1. LiveAgent

If you’re looking for Gmail’s excellent alternative, you may want to consider LiveAgent. With over 15,000 customers worldwide, including companies such as Yamaha, Huawei, and Forbes, LiveAgent is a great choice for businesses of all sizes. With its many customer-centric and automation functionalities, LiveAgent creates a well-rounded customer service experience.

LiveAgent’s main goal is to provide an omnichannel customer service platform that includes email, live chat, social media, and phone support, making it a great option for companies looking to streamline their customer communication.

LiveAgent features

LiveAgent and Gmail has many features in common. However, LiveAgent offers more customer-centric features that help ensure you can provide effective customer service.

• Ticket management
• Automation features
• Email forwarding
• Agent collision detection
• Email templates
• Team collaboration tools
• Extensive analytics and reports
• Hybrid stream ticketing
• Omnichannel capabilities

Here are some of LiveAgent’s automation and security features:

• SLA rules
• Time rules
• Canned messages
• SSL encryption
• 2-step verification

What are the main differences between LiveAgent and Gmail

• Purpose: LiveAgent is primarily a help desk software designed for customer service, allowing businesses to manage, track and respond to customer queries from various channels. Gmail, on the other hand, is primarily an email service provided by Google.
• Features: LiveAgent offers features like live chat, ticketing, call center, customer portal and knowledge base in addition to email. Gmail focuses on email services, although it does offer features like Hangouts for video calls and chats, and Google Drive for cloud storage.
• Automation and organization: LiveAgent has automation functions for handling tickets, such as rules for assigning tickets to specific representatives or departments according to predefined criteria, while Gmail has more basic filtering and categorizing features.
• Integration: LiveAgent integrates with a wide range of other services, from ecommerce platforms to social media networks, making it ideal for businesses. Gmail integrates mainly with other Google services, like Google Docs or Google Calendar, which is suitable for personal and business communications.
• Customization: LiveAgent provides the ability to customize your customer portal and Knowledge Base, as well as the ability to add fields to customer records. Gmail has less customization features, with a focus on user-friendly interfaces.

Key integrations

LiveAgent offers more than 220 integrations to augment its functionality. You can integrate them through API, use native integrations, or activate them through a plugin.

Some of the most widely used LiveAgent integrations include Salesforce, Slack, Magento, WhatsApp, Shopify and Jira.

Best for businesses of all sizes

LiveAgent, with its affordability and scalability, caters to companies of all sizes and industries, particularly those reliant on customer support. Ideal for sectors like e-commerce, hospitality, IT, financial services as well as software, SaaS, and tech companies, it helps streamline customer service operations and enhance satisfaction by providing real-time solutions. Furthermore, it facilitates communication between various teams, making it an effective tool for businesses with complex structures or multiple departments.

Pricing

• Free trial: YES
• Small: $15/agent per month, billed annually
• Medium: $29/agent per month, billed annually
• Large: $49/agent per month, billed annually
• Enterprise: $69/agent per month, billed annually

Author’s opinion

LiveAgent helpdesk software is an excellent alternative to Gmail, specifically for those who prioritize customer service. While Gmail offers a flexible email platform, LiveAgent focuses more on customer service, providing a centralized system for managing customer needs.

Features common to both platforms ensure a smooth transition, but LiveAgent goes further, offering a universal inbox for ticketing, chat, and call center interactions. It also supports a wide range of integration options, enhancing team collaboration and customer interaction. Unique features such as easy navigation, ticket sorting, and tagging further set LiveAgent apart. Its tiered pricing system suits all business sizes and budgets, providing excellent value without scrimping on support. LiveAgent emerges as a superior choice for customer service-intensive operations.

Customer review

“The experience from our end has been a reliable one. From implementation to usage, LiveAgent has always been at the top most level in ensuring that we are able to meet our customer support delivery needs in the best way we know how. This allows us to give our customers a satisfying experience by delivering real-time support to their inquiries and ensuring they are always contented with the services that we offer.”

Customer review from Capterra

“I recently switched to LiveAgent. LiveAgent offers the perfect solution for my customers and my company. It was relatively easy to set up and integrate and when something doesn’t work, professional help is just a mouse click away. Very friendly but above all fast support. Very simple and easy to use, and use the service daily, I would recommend it to everyone!”

Customer review form G2

2. Zoho Mail

Zoho Mail is a reliable Gmail alternative. Zoho boasts over 50 million users around the world, which makes them a popular email service provider for businesses of all sizes. It offers many integrations, including Dropbox, Alexa, Zapier, and Slack to improve its functionality.

Zoho Mail features

• Custom email domain
• Extensive control panel
• Email retention
• Mobile app for both iOS and Android
• Advanced search
• Signatures
• User management
• Group management
• Calendar migration

What are the main differences between Zoho Mail and Gmail

• Ownership: Gmail is owned by Google, an American multinational technology company, while Zoho Mail is owned by Zoho Corporation, an Indian software development company.
• Infrastructure: Gmail is part of the broader Google ecosystem, which includes Drive, Docs, and Calendar. On the other hand, Zoho Mail is part of the Zoho Workplace, which includes apps like Docs, Connect and Show, among others.
• Advertising: One significant difference between the two is the approach to advertising. Gmail uses targeted advertising, which scans your emails to tailor ads for you. In contrast, Zoho Mail prides itself on being an ad-free email service.
• Storage: Gmail offers 15GB of combined storage across all Google services per account for free, while Zoho Mail provides 5GB storage per user for free and 1GB of document storage.
• Business use and integration: Both offer business versions (G Suite for Gmail and Zoho Mail for Business). However, Zoho Mail might offer a more seamless integration for businesses already using Zoho CRM and other Zoho apps. On the other hand, businesses deeply embedded in the Google ecosystem would benefit from using Gmail.

Best for small to medium-sized businesses

Zoho Mail is an all-in-one email software suitable for small to medium businesses, combining tasks, calendars and a robust contacts database. It aids in streamlining business processes and reduces costs associated with purchasing multiple software applications. Zoho Mail also emphasizes on privacy and security, making it beneficial for organizations in regulated industries. It even offers eDiscovery for electronic searches, essential for strict compliance to regulations.

Pricing

• Free trial: 15 days
• Mail Lite: €0.99 per user/month billed annually – 5GB storage per user
• Mail Lite: €1.13 per user/month billed annually – 10GB storage per user
• Mail Premium: €3.60 per user/month billed annually – 50GB storage per user
• Workplace: from €2.7 per user/month billed annually

Author’s opinion

Zoho Mail, with its ad-free, minimalistic interface, offers notable features like Streams for easy team collaboration. It surpasses many platforms, including Gmail, in terms of customization, control, security, and privacy.

However, it carries a steep learning curve, especially for novices, and limited search functionality and filtering options compared to Gmail. While Gmail offers smooth integration with other Google services, Zoho Mail’s integrations are mainly within its ecosystem, which may upset people moving from Gmail. Despite its shortcomings, Zoho Mail remains an impressive email client.

3. Outlook

Outlook can be a great Gmail alternative for your business. With over 400 million users worldwide, Outlook is a popular choice for individuals, as well as businesses. The software is compatible with other Microsoft applications, as well as Slack, Trello, Zoom, and Salesforce.

Outlook features

• Built-in calendar
• Free access to Microsoft Office apps
• Voice-controlled navigation
• Integration with Microsoft tools
• Advanced email organization
• Shared mailboxes and calendars
• Advanced search and filtering
• Task management
• Customizable interface
• 50GB of storage

What are the main differences between Outlook and Gmail

• User interface: Outlook has a more traditional, business-oriented interface that may appeal to professionals. Gmail has a simpler, cleaner interface that is easier to navigate for most users.
• Integration: Outlook is integrated with other Microsoft products like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Gmail is integrated with Google products like Drive, Docs, and Sheets.
• Storage: Gmail provides 15 GB of free storage which includes Google Drive and Google photos. Outlook also provides free storage of 15 GB but only for emails. For OneDrive (Microsoft’s cloud storage), an additional 5GB is provided.
• Offline access: Both allow offline access to emails, but in a different way. In Outlook, emails are automatically available offline, while Gmail requires users to manually select which emails to make available offline.

Best for large companies

Outlook is beneficial for businesses heavily reliant on communication and scheduling, such as in finance, tech, and healthcare. It aids seamless collaboration with its email, calendar, and task systems, making it easier to schedule meetings and manage tasks. Additionally, Outlook enhances functionality with other Microsoft Office products, simplifying file sharing and receiving, ideal for businesses requiring real-time updates.

Pricing

• $159.99 For 1 PC or Mac
• Free with limited features

Or you can opt for Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams that contain Outlook with the following subscriptions:

• Basic: $6 per user per month
• Standard: $12.50 per user per month
• Premium: $22 per user per month
• Microsoft 365 Apps for business: $8.25 per user per month

Check out a full Outlook alternative comparison and find out how it holds up against LiveAgent.

Author’s opinion

Outlook is a reliable email client with efficient organization tools and good integration with Microsoft services, making it ideal for those in the Microsoft ecosystem. It outshines Gmail in managing large inboxes and having a built-in calendar.

However, Outlook’s search function is slower and less inclusive than Gmail’s. Its category management features, while robust, are complex and require time to learn. The interface can be overwhelming for novices due to a steep learning curve. Furthermore, Outlook’s mobile app doesn’t provide as seamless an experience as Gmail’s. Despite its strengths, Outlook has areas where it doesn’t measure up to Gmail.

4. Yahoo! Mail

Yahoo! Mail is one of the most popular email providers on the market and has been around for over two decades. With millions of users worldwide, Yahoo! Mail is a trusted Gmail alternative. You can pair Yahoo! with various applications, including Mozilla Thunderbird, Apple Mail, and Teamstack.

Yahoo! features

• Customizable mailbox
• Incoming mail filtering
• Mail Archive
• Calendar
• Create events
• Security and privacy features
• Spam alerts

What are the main differences between Yahoo! and Gmail

• Service providers: Yahoo! Mail is an email service provided by an American company named Yahoo!, now owned by Verizon. Gmail is an email service provided by Google.
• User interface: Yahoo! Mail has a more traditional, compartmentalized interface. Gmail has a minimalistic design, with emails grouped into categories like Primary, Social, and Promotions.
• Storage space: Gmail provides 15GB of storage space which is shared between Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. Whereas, Yahoo! offers 1TB of storage space exclusively for emails.
• Ads: Both services display ads, but Gmail’s are text-based and less intrusive compared to Yahoo! Mail’s display ads. In Yahoo! Mail, ads are more prominent, often appearing in the inbox.

Best for small to medium-sized enterprises

Yahoo! Small Business offers SMEs vital online services like domain registration, website hosting, and e-commerce tools. Their platform also includes SEO, local search listings, and email marketing tools. Yahoo! Finance and Yahoo! Search may benefit businesses in finance and marketing with comprehensive financial data and an alternative search engine for SEO diversification.

Pricing

• Yahoo! Mail Free
• Yahoo! Mail Plus: $5/month

Author’s opinion

Yahoo! offers a unique approach to web-based emails, integrating seamlessly with other company products like news updates and its own search engine.

However, it offers fewer email template customizations compared to Gmail. Its interface is user-friendly but lacks Gmail’s innovative add-ons. Although both offer excellent security against spam, Yahoo! can be overbearing, sometimes necessitating multiple password resets.

While Yahoo! caters to most users’ emailing needs, it could improve customization options and user control.

5. Titan Mail

Titan Mail is an alternative to Gmail that helps over 100 000 active users build deeper customer relationships. Titan Mail currently does not offer extensive third-party integrations like some other email providers. It supports standard email protocols such as IMAP and SMTP that allow users to access their accounts through various email clients, like Outlook and Thunderbird. With its many features and mobile-friendly interface, it is accessible to everyone either in the office or on the go.

Titan Mail features

• Auto-responders
• Robust security features
• Archiving
• Auto-responders
• Canned responses
• Response management
• Email templates
• Inbox management

What are the main differences between Titan Mail and Gmail

• Target audience: While Titan Mail focuses more on business correspondence and offers features tailored towards the needs of businesses, Gmail is more consumer-oriented, suitable for both individual and business users.
• Storage: Google offers 15GB free storage which is shared between Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos. Titan Mail, however, offers 10GB storage per user specifically for email storage.
• Data privacy: Titan claims to prioritize user privacy and does not scan customer emails for advertisement purposes, unlike Gmail which has been involved in privacy issues in the past related to ad targeting.
• Price: Gmail is free with optional paid plans for more storage and features. Titan Mail, on the other hand, is a paid service with different pricing tiers based on the features and the number of users.

Best for businesses of all sizes

Titan Mail is ideal for all businesses, especially those reliant on email communication, like tech, e-commerce, finance, and consulting firms. It’s perfect for start-ups and small businesses wanting professional, branded emails, and large businesses needing to synchronize communication across locations. Titan Mail’s strong security features make it critical for businesses dealing with sensitive data.

Pricing

• Titan Mail comes with custom pricing options

Author’s opinion

Titan Mail provides a clutter-free, user-friendly email hosting with easy navigation and features like contact management and calendar. It offers a consistent experience across devices and robust spam prevention.

However, it lacks some advanced features compared to Gmail, like smart folder categorization and synchronization with the Google ecosystem. Additionally, Titan’s search function could return more accurate results for improved ease of locating emails. Despite these shortcomings, Titan Mail is a solid email service provider needing a few improvements to compete with industry veterans.

6. Tutanota

Tutanota is the best alternative to Gmail when it comes to end-to-end encryption. Compatible with various browsers, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux, Tutanota is an accessible solution for everyone who strives to keep their data protected at all times. Regarding integrations, Tutanota is compatible with other Tutanota products, including Tutanota desktop clients, Tutanota mobile apps, and Tutanota API.

Tutanota features

• End-to-end encryption
• Auto-responders
• Calendars
• Full-text search
• Email monitoring
• Inbox management
• Email templates
• Contact forms
• Response management

What are the main differences between Tutanota and Gmail

• Privacy and security: Tutanota is known for its strong emphasis on privacy and security. It provides end-to-end encryption for emails, calendars, and contacts, so only you can access them. Gmail also secures emails but doesn’t provide end-to-end encryption. Instead, Google can view user data for particular purposes like targeted advertising.
• Open-source: Tutanota is open-source, meaning its source code is available publicly allowing anyone to check for security loopholes. On the other hand, Gmail, being a Google product, is not open-source.
• Server location: Tutanota’s servers are based in Germany, and it adheres to strict German privacy laws. Gmail being a product of Google, a U.S.

Best for small businesses

Tutanota is beneficial for businesses dealing with sensitive information including healthcare, law, and financial services. Smaller enterprises also benefit due to its affordability, offering high-level security akin to larger corporations. Non-profit organizations handling sensitive social issues and investigative journalists needing to protect sources can also use Tutanota to ensure secure and uncompromised communication.

Pricing

• Free plan
• Revolutionary: €3 per month
• Legend: €8 per month

Author’s opinion

Tutanota Software offers an encrypted email service with high-level security and data privacy. Its end-to-end encryption on emails and attachments makes it ideal for highly confidential communication. This service can be used across various platforms.

However, it has a less user-friendly interface compared to more popular platforms like Gmail. Additionally, it sometimes experiences minor performance lags. Despite these cons, Tutanota’s emphasis on privacy makes it a valuable alternative for secure email services.

7. Hushmail

With over 20 years of experience providing secure email services, Hushmail is a trusted Gmail alternative. Hushmail’s main goal is to provide encrypted email communication that is accessible from anywhere. You can pair Hushmail with Microsoft 365, Microsoft Outlook, and Apple Mail.

Hushmail features

• Encrypted emails
• Secure web forms
• Electronic signatures
• Private message center

What are the main differences between Hushmail and Gmail

• Security and privacy: Hushmail focuses heavily on providing a highly secure and encrypted email service to protect user data and privacy. On the other hand, Gmail, while being secure, has faced criticism for data mining user emails for targeted advertising.
• Features: Gmail has a host of additional features linked with other Google services like Google Drive, Google Photos, and Google Calendar. Hushmail primarily focuses on secure email services with fewer additional features.
• Accessibility: Gmail, being a product of Google, is widely accessible and integrated with numerous applications. Whereas Hushmail’s focus on privacy and security can limit its accessibility and integration with some third-party applications.
• Cost: Hushmail comes with a cost for its services, even for personal use, after a 14-day free trial. Gmail offers its basic services for free, with optional paid upgrades for additional storage and features.

Best for medium to large businesses

Hushmail provides encrypted email services ideal for businesses dealing with sensitive information like those in medical, legal, and financial sectors. For instance, healthcare providers can securely share patients’ private data maintaining HIPAA compliance. Law firms can also securely exchange confidential documents or client communications using Hushmail’s encryption feature.

Pricing

• Hushmail for Healthcare: from $11.99/month
• Hushmail for Small Business: from $10.79/month
• Hushmail for Law: from $10.79/month
• Hushmail for Personal Use: from $49.98/month
• Custom Solutions: Contact the sales team

Author’s opinion

Hushmail stands out in the sea of email service providers with its emphasis on providing secure, encrypted email services. Compared to Gmail, Hushmail offers an extra layer of protection with encrypted emails which are not scanned for advertising, making it well-suited for those who prioritize privacy over anything else

The interface design is seamless, easy to navigate and offers a unique feature of creating encrypted web forms—an excellent tool for businesses dealing in sensitive information.

However, getting on-board with Hushmail is not as smooth a journey as it is with Gmail, primarily due to its cost. Unlike Gmail which is free, Hushmail offers a 14-day free trial after which it’s a paid service, not an ideal option for those seeking free email services. While

Hushmail’s security is notably robust, there have been reports of its not-so-friendly customer service.

8. Mailfence

Mailfence is a secure Gmail alternative with over 2 million users worldwide. It focuses on providing end-to-end encryption and secure email communication to protect sensitive information. You can connect Mailfence with Microsoft Outlook, Google Authenticator, Gmail, and Thunderbird.

Mailfence features

• Digital signatures
• Email encryption
• No tracking
• No ads
• Personalized domain name
• Calendar
• Edit and share documents
• Import contacts

What are the main differences between Mailfence and Gmail

• Privacy and security: Mailfence is designed with a heavy focus on security and privacy, encrypting data both at rest and in transit. Gmail, while still secure, does not offer end-to-end encryption out of the box.
• Ads: Unlike Gmail, which uses targeted advertising based on emails content, Mailfence does not use advertisements or trackers in its service.
• User information: Google has been known to use data from Gmail to personalize user experiences across their other services. Mailfence, on the other hand, holds a strong commitment against using or sharing user data.
• Encryption: Mailfence provides built-in OpenPGP encryption which allows encryption of emails, documents, and even contacts. Gmail does not provide built-in email encryption.

Best for companies of all sizes

Mailfence is an ideal choice for businesses prioritizing email security and privacy, including legal, healthcare, and financial industries. Its end-to-end encryption ensures secure and confidential communication, helping businesses comply with regulations. Plus, it’s a cost-effective tool for startups, offering a custom domain feature for a professional look in email correspondence.

Pricing

• Free
• Base: €2.50 per month for 11GB
• Entry: €3.50 per month for 40 GB
• Pro: €9.50 per month for 78 GB
• Ultra: €29.00 per month for 225 GB

Author’s opinion

Mailfence shines with its robust, secure features and superior privacy, especially due to its no-ad policy in comparison to Gmail. With end-to-end encryption, impressive calendar tool, and document support, it aligns with professional usage.

However, it lacks Gmail’s third-party app integration and has a less intuitive interface, necessitating a learning phase. Though privacy-focused, Mailfence’s free tier offers only limited storage and encryption process could be tricky for less tech-savvy users.

9. Mozilla Thunderbird

Mozilla Thunderbird provides a free and open-source service that is highly customizable and integrates with other applications. Its integration include Sidekick, McAfee LiveSafe, Outlook, and Google Calendar. It also offers many advanced features, making it a comprehensive productivity tool suitable for many.

Mozilla Thunderbird features

• Attachments reminder
• Search tools
• Quick filter tools
• Message archive
• Smart folders
• Add-ons manager
• Phishing protection
• Automated updates
• Large files management
• Tabbed email

What are the main differences between Mozilla Thunderbird and Gmail

• Platform: Thunderbird is an email client software that needs to be installed on a computer. It enables you to manage multiple email accounts from different providers, all in one place. On the other hand, Gmail is a web-based email service, which is accessible via a web browser.
• Offline access: Mozilla Thunderbird allows users to access, read, and compose emails even when they are offline. On the other hand, Gmail generally requires an Internet connection to access and manage emails, though limited functionality can be available offline with settings adjustment.
• Security: While Gmail does offer a secure connection and protection features, Thunderbird provides advanced security features like automatic encryption, phishing protection, and spam filters.
• User interface: Gmail has a simplified and user-friendly interface compared to Mozilla Thunderbird. Thunderbird’s interface is more traditional, and it also allows more customizations than Gmail.

Best for small to mid-sized businesses

Thunderbird, Mozilla’s free and open-source software, is ideal for businesses employing remote workers or with multiple offices, such as IT, ecommerce, and digital marketing firms. Also beneficial for cost-conscious startups, it ensures data security with phishing protection and encrypted communication, rendering it perfect for sectors like finance, healthcare, and law.

Pricing

• Mozilla Thunderbird is a FREE service.

Author’s opinion

Mozilla Thunderbird provides a strong alternative to an email client like Gmail. Its robust set of features facilitates efficient email management, such as quick filters, intelligent spam filters, and automatic folder organization, which are all incredibly useful. Recently, advances such as tabbed emails, smart folders, and chat integration further elevate the user experience. The well-laid theme and layout offer immense customization, allowing users to tailor the software’s appearance to meet personal preferences.

However, there are distinct downsides. Compared to Gmail’s web interface, Thunderbird’s heavy software characteristics can make it sluggish at times. Also, its lack of a native calendar can require extra effort to synchronize external calendar tools, which Gmail offers within its platform.

10. Aol Mail

If you’re looking for a Gmail alternative, Aol Mail is a worthy contender. You can augment Aol mail’s functionalities by integrating it with Facebook, SplitCam, Slack, and Google Analytics. Their main focus is to provide an easy-to-use email platform that is accessible from anywhere, making it reliable for people on the go.

Aol Mail features

• Integrated calendar
• Instant messaging
• Unlimited storage
• Advanced spam and virus protection
• Keyboard shortcuts
• Inbox management
• Third-party integrations
• Mobile app

What are the main differences between Aol Mail and Gmail

• Provider: Gmail is provided by Google, a renowned tech giant globally, while AOL mail is offered by AOL, a division of Verizon Communications.
• User-interface: Gmail tends to have a modern and more user-friendly interface with regular updates to enrich the user experience. In contrast, AOL has a simpler, more traditional look to its interface.
• Features: Gmail has a host of advanced features like AI-powered suggestions, Smart Compose, seamless integration with Google Meet, Google Drive, Google Calendar, etc. On the other hand, AOL mail comes with traditional email features but lacks some of the more advanced integrations and tools that Gmail offers.
• Security: Both platforms offer a high level of security. Gmail offers two-factor authentication and uses AI for spam filtering. AOL also has a strong spam filter, but its protective features are not as extensive or sophisticated as Gmail’s.

Best for small businesses and start-ups

AOL Mail is ideal for small businesses and startups that need basic email functionality. Its cost-effectiveness and simplicity make it suitable for those on a tight budget or just starting. It’s also beneficial for businesses in rural areas with lower-bandwidth connections, as high-speed internet isn’t required for its optimal usage, maintaining reliable communication channels.

Pricing

• Free
• Remove paid advertising: $4.99 per month

Author’s opinion

AOL Mail, a free web-based email service, offers platform for personal and professional communication. Its user interface is quite intuitive and clean, encouraging an efficient management of electronic correspondence.

A notable advantage is its unlimited storage capacity which dramatically outshines Gmail’s 15GB cap. However, its features are a bit behind the curve compared to other email services– Gmail, for example, with its smart compose and nudge features shows its advanced approach to productivity.

However, there have been issues reported about its stability and performance. AOL Mail, has been known to have frequent glitches and lags. Moreover, it lacks a complete integration with other tools and apps unlike Gmail which is seamlessly connected to Google’s suite of products.

11. iCloud Mail

With millions of customers worldwide, iCloud Mail is a popular choice for those who use Apple products. iCloud Mail’s main focus is to provide an email platform that seamlessly integrates with other Apple services, like iCloud Drive and Contacts, making it a convenient option for Apple users.

iCloud Mail features

• Add and manage email addresses
• Custom email domain
• Hide my email in the mail
• Folder organization
• Set up rules to filter emails
• Junk mail management

What are the main differences between iCloud Mail and Gmail

• Ownership: iCloud Mail is a free email service provided by Apple while Gmail is provided by Google. This means that the two platforms are integrated with different ecosystems, Apple for iCloud Mail and Android/Google for Gmail.
• Integration: iCloud is more integrated with iOS devices and apps, providing seamless synchronization of mails, contacts, calendars, etc. across Apple devices. Gmail, on the other hand, is more versatile and can be used across multiple platforms and devices including both Apple and Android. It is also deeply integrated with other Google services such as Google Drive, Google Calendar, etc.
• Mail organization: Gmail uses a conversation-based organization which groups emails together, while iCloud Mail maintains a more traditional separate mail structure. Gmail also allows users to categorize their messages into Primary, Social, and Promotional tabs, whereas iCloud Mail does not have this feature.

Best for small to medium-sized businesses

iCloud Mail is beneficial for small to medium-sized businesses, especially those heavily dependent on the Apple ecosystem like design firms, marketing agencies, and tech startups. It offers benefits like seamless communication and integration. Particularly useful for firms engaged in remote work, sales, or consulting, iCloud Mail’s accessibility on all Apple devices makes it ideal for on-the-go business communication.

Pricing

• Free – iCloud 5GB
• iCloud+ 50GB: $0.99/month
• iCloud+ 200GB: $2.99/month
• iCloud+ 2TB: $9.99/month

Author’s opinion

iCloud Mail is a noteworthy software that provides a reliable emailing service. Its clean, user-friendly interface is intuitive, making it easy to send, receive, and organize emails.

Its seamless integration with other Apple devices and software is a definite plus, providing synched notifications and easy access across varied platforms.

However, iCloud Mail still has room for enhancements. Despite its ample 5GB storage space, it falls short of Gmail’s 15GB offering. Furthermore, the filter and tagging options in Gmail are more detailed and user-friendly than iCloud Mail. iCloud Mail’s search functionality also seems less refined, providing less accurate results compared to Gmail.

This suggests that iCloud Mail might be a better choice for Apple enthusiasts who appreciate the interconnected ecosystem.

12. ProtonMail

ProtonMail has over 10 million users worldwide. It caters to businesses of different sizes that prioritize privacy and security. ProtonMail provides end-to-end email encryption and secure email communication, making it a reliable option if you need to protect sensitive information. You can integrate ProtonMail with various apps, including Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Integration with Android devices, and Integration with iOS devices.

ProtonMail features

• End-to-end email encryption
• Free private mail
• Mobile app for Android and iOS
• Inbox customization
• Inbox organization and management
• Manage online identities
• Advanced search
• Keyboard shortcuts

What are the main differences between ProtonMail and Gmail

• Privacy and security: The main difference is in privacy and security. ProtonMail uses end-to-end encryption to protect email contents, whereas Gmail does not.
• Data mining: Google is known to mine the data and information from emails on Gmail to tailor advertisements for its users. ProtonMail, on the other hand, doesn’t mine the data and is also ad-free.
• Server location: Another key difference can be found in their server location. ProtonMail’s servers are located in Switzerland, therefore Swiss privacy laws protect the data. Gmail’s servers are distributed globally, where data protection laws vary.
• User information: ProtonMail doesn’t require any personal information to create an account while Gmail often requires a phone number for account verification.

Best for companies of all sizes

ProtonMail is ideal for businesses in sensitive sectors like healthcare, legal, finance, and government. It’s also excellent for start-ups, multinational corporations, non-profit organizations, and journalism outfits that handle sensitive data and prioritize privacy. ProtonMail adheres to strict privacy regulations like HIPAA and GDPR, safeguarding source integrity and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Pricing

• For individuals:
  • Proton Free: €0/month
  • Proton Unlimited: €9.99 /month

• For businesses:
  • Mail Essentials: €6.99 per user/month
  • Business: €10.99 per user/month
  • Enterprise: Contact Sales for a customizable plan

Author’s opinion

ProtonMail has been recognized for its robust security and privacy measures. It is built especially for users who seek absolute privacy that isn’t offered by most standard email services like Gmail.

ProtonMail doesn’t keep personal data and messages are end-to-end encrypted before they leave the user’s device, making the user data inaccessible to third parties including ProtonMail. It provides the ability to send password-protected emails to non-ProtonMail accounts, and set an expiry time on sent mails.

However, has its drawbacks. The user interface is less intuitive and streamlined compared to Gmail which could deter some. Advanced features like categorizing emails and autoresponders are missing in the free version, forcing users to upgrade.

13. GMX Email

Another Gmail alternative worth considering is GMX Email. It is a popular email provider for businesses in varying industries. Their customers include those who value customization and flexibility. You can pair it with various third party solutions, such as Gmail, Zapier, and Outlook.

GMX Email features

• GMX Organizer
• Smart planning
• Import other calendars
• iOS and Android calendar synchronization
• Shared calendar
• File editing
• Office tools
• Spell check
• GMX Translator
• Search tools

What are the main differences between GMX Email and Gmail

• Provider: GMX Email is created by Mail & Media Inc., a subsidiary unit of a German company Global Mail Exchange, while Gmail is created by the global technology company, Google.
• Interface: GMX has a simplified, traditional interface with options for spam protection and ability to organize emails into different folders. Gmail offers a more modern, user-friendly interface with supreme filtering, tagging, and search capabilities.
• POP3 and IMAP: Both GMX and Gmail offer POP3 and IMAP protocols for free, but Gmail also offers Exchange ActiveSync (EAS), which is not available with GMX.

Best for small to medium-sized businesses

GMX Email software is an affordable and effective solution for small to medium-sized businesses. Its free, ad-financed service provides plenty of storage and a user-friendly interface. Ideal for businesses with mobile employees, GMX is accessible on multiple devices, fostering remote communication and collaboration. Its integrated calendar enhances organization. Simply put, GMX meets needs of businesses seeking functionality and cost-effectiveness in email management.

Pricing

• GMX Email is a FREE service.

Author’s opinion

GMX Email software, with its user-friendly interface and strong security features, offers an alternative to popular email like Gmail. Users appreciate the storage, integrated calendar, and the no-cost for its use. Additionally, GMX supports features for email management, ensuring that junk mail becomes a thing of the past.

The richness of GMX’s features brings about a slight complexity in the initial setup. Gmail users might miss the built-in video chat option and active community support available in their existing email client. GMX leads in attachment size; it allows 50MB attachments while Gmail only allows 25MB.

Although GMX lacks a built-in editing tool like Google Docs, it can definitely hold its own in the competitive landscape of email clients.

14. Yandex Mail

Yandex Mail is a Russian software that’s easy to use and accessible from anywhere. This Gmail alternative is a robust email solution that can help you keep everything organized and stay efficient at the same time. Yandex is compatible with solutions like Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, Yahoo Mail and Rambler.

Yandex Mail features

• Message and newsletter management
• Translator
• Smart suggestions
• Security features
• Store files on Yandex Disk
• Video calls
• Meetings
• Document management
• Collaboration tools
• Calendar

What are the main differences between Yandex Mail and Gmail

• Origin: Yandex Mail is a free email service offered by Russian tech company Yandex, while Gmail is provided by American multinational technology company Google.
• Language support: While both support multiple languages, Gmail has a considerable edge over Yandex Mail as it supports over 70 languages, while Yandex only supports a few including English and Russian.
• Interface: Gmail has a far more intuitive and user-friendly interface compared to Yandex Mail. Gmail makes it easier to manage emails with its categorization into tabs like Primary, Social, and Promotions. Whereas, Yandex has a more traditional layout.

Best for small and medium-sized companies, primarily based in Russia

Yandex Mail is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses with predominantly Russian-speaking customers. Its culturally-specific algorithms offer precise keyword searches and superior spam filtering. As a trusted and recognized brand in Russia, Yandex Mail offers reliability and widespread user familiarity, making it a valuable tool for businesses targeting the Russian market.

Pricing

• Personal:
  • Premium 200GB: $1.37/month – prepaid 1-year subscription
  • Premium 2TB: $2.42 – prepaid 1-year subscription
  • Premium 3TB: $6/month – prepaid 1-year subscription

• Business (Yandex360)
  • Basic: RUB 249 /month per member
  • Optimal: RUB 469 /month per member
  • Advanced: RUB 1399 /month per member

Author’s opinion

Yandex Mail is a commendable software that provides an array of interesting features, making the platform a worthy contender against popular email platforms like Gmail. The interface is intuitive and well-designed, reminiscent of Gmail’s simplistic aesthetic.

However, Yandex is not without its shortcomings. First off, it lacks advanced settings that are offered Gmail, such as the ability to undo a sent email. There have also been concerns about the level of security and privacy offered by Yandex, as it is governed by Russian laws. Users also report occasional issues with receiving emails.

While Yandex Mail holds its ground in certain aspects, these cons can make it a second choice for users who prioritize advanced features, utmost security, and consistent reliability.

15. Fastmail

If you’re searching for a Gmail alternative, Fastmail is an interesting option to consider. With over 20 years of experience providing email services, Fastmail is trusted by many businesses. They offer features like end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication, and customizable spam filters that can help to keep your confidential information safe. It offers various integrations, such as Zapier, Trello, Boomerang, Apple Mail, and Google Calendar.

Fastmail features

• Search tools
• Mail import tool
• Email scheduling
• Full-featured calendars
• Masked Email
• Custom themes
• Manage and add users on any plan
• Email retention archive

What are the main differences between Fastmail and Gmail

• Provider: Fastmail is an independent, paid service that prides itself on privacy and speed, while Gmail is a part of the Google ecosystem and is free, but has targeted advertising based on email content.
• Privacy: One of the main differences between Fastmail and Gmail is the level of privacy. Fastmail does not scan your emails for advertising, while Gmail utilizes user data to provide targeted advertisements.
• Email organization: Gmail uses labels instead of folders, allowing users to allocate multiple labels to one email. In contrast, Fastmail utilizes the traditional folders method for email organization, though it still offers labels to users if they prefer.
• Interface: Fastmail has a simple and clean interface that loads faster, while Gmail has a more complex interface with integrated apps from the Google suite such as Google Chat, Google Meet, etc. The user experience can be quite different on each depending on personal preference.

Best for small to medium-sized businesses

Fastmail is beneficial for small to medium businesses, especially those relying heavily on email, such as those in marketing, sales, consulting, PR, customer support, and remote operations. It is also ideal for creative agencies and professional service firms like web design companies or software developers who frequently share large attachments thanks to its ample storage, file-sharing functionality, and file version history management.

Pricing

• Free trial
• Individual: $5 per user/month
• Duo: $8 per user/month
• Family: $11 per user/month

Author’s opinion

Fastmail presents a mixed bag of functionality, simplicity, and quality email services. The interface is user-friendly, providing high usability and a smooth experience. Its spam filters are effective, and it excels in data protection and security.

However, Fastmail is not without its shortcomings. It falls behind in terms of cloud storage space with the basic plan offering less storage capacity. Fastmail also lacks the feature-rich ecosystem of Google, which offers a suite of productivity tools like Google Docs, Sheets, and Drive, making Gmail more integrated for productivity. Furthermore, Fastmail’s customer service has room for improvement, with occasional slow response times reported.

What are the key factors for choosing a Gmail alternative

Email continues to be an important communication tool for not only individuals but also many businesses. While Gmail has been a popular choice among many users, people are seeking email alternatives that offer improved privacy, security, and additional features. Let’s look at some key factors that may help you determine which Gmail alternative is right for you.

Business needs and requirements

Businesses’ particular needs and requirements play a crucial role in email provider selection. By understanding these needs, businesses can ensure that they choose a provider that aligns with their objectives and enhances their overall productivity. Some companies require a particular suite of features, while others keep a close look at the available payment plans.

For example, if you need an affordable solution with omnichannel capabilities, opt for something like LiveAgent. If you’re working with confidential customer data and require a higher level of privacy, consider Mailfence, or StartMail.

Universal inbox and multi-agent dashboard

A universal Inbox allows users to manage multiple email accounts from various providers in one central location. It helps streamline email management and saves time by eliminating the need to switch between platforms.

The Multi-Agent Dashboard is a particularly important feature for businesses that require multiple team members to access and manage a shared email account. It enables more efficient collaboration, where team members can assign tasks, track progress, and ensure timely responses to inquiries from their customers. LiveAgent, a ticketing system, and email management software, provides both of these features with the added advantage of customization options.

Integration with other tools

Another key factor to consider is the possibility to integrate your email service with other tools that are necessary for your day-to-day operations. Seamless integration between your email and other productivity tools can significantly enhance efficiency and collaboration within your organization. These tools might include calendars, CRM systems, help desk systems, analytics, and many others. Although there is not a recommended amount of integrations an email tool should have, opt for one that can cover all your needs and still have some spare.

Storage capacity

Storage capacity is a crucial factor that determines how much data can be stored within the system. This data includes things such as emails, documents, audio files, photos, videos, etc.

Having adequate storage is important to manage all communications without worrying about running out of space and having to delete important information.

Therefore, it is crucial to choose an email provider that offers enough email storage space for your particular needs to ensure smooth and uninterrupted communication.

Security and privacy

Companies send emails every day that involve sensitive data and confidential information. This is the reason why you should never overlook email providers’ security and privacy policies.

Make sure that they offer end-to-end encryption that ensures your emails are encrypted during transit and can only be decrypted by the recipient. Another important feature is a Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) can add an extra layer of protection to your account by requiring a unique code in addition to your password.

Make sure that your email service does not rely on advertisements or tracking to generate revenue. This way you don’t have to be afraid that they will sell your data to third parties for marketing purposes.

Reading Privacy Policy and Data Storage is also essential to understand how your data is stored, processed, and protected by the email service provider. Ideally, they should follow strict data protection regulations and store data in secure locations with strong encryption standards.

Collaboration features

Collaboration features are another key factor to consider when choosing a Gmail alternative, as efficient teamwork and communication are vital for businesses to thrive and grow. Advanced collaboration features can streamline workflows, improve productivity, enhance team cooperation, and improve customer satisfaction.

These collaborative features may include:

• Shared inboxes and folders: These enable multiple team members to access, manage, and respond to emails collaboratively.
• Email tagging and assignment: It allows users to tag and assign emails to specific team members, ensuring that everyone stays on top of their responsibilities.
• Internal notes and comments: Adding notes and comments to emails without changing the original content can help team members discuss matters related to specific emails.
• Sharing calendars and scheduling: Sharing calendars, creating events, and scheduling meetings within your email service can improve team organization and keep everyone informed about upcoming deadlines, appointments, and milestones.
• Integration with collaboration tools: An email service should offer seamless integration with popular collaboration tools like Slack, WhatsApp, Jira, and more. This ensures smooth communication and task management across teams.

Customizability and branding

Being able to customize and personalize everything you use for your business is important to make sure that it aligns with your brand identity and meets your unique needs. An email service with customizable branding can help maintain a consistent and professional business image.

Here are some examples of customization features that can be beneficial for your company brand:

• Creating a custom domain for email addresses
• Email templates
• Signatures
• Customizable filters and labels

How to ensure a smooth transition to your chosen Gmail alternative?

Prepare your team

If you are considering switching from Gmail to a different email service, make sure you prepare your team for this change to ensure a smooth transition.

The first step is to communicate the reasons for switching and the benefits that the new service can bring to the team and the company in general. This will help your team understand why the change is necessary and motivate them to learn the new system.

Once your team is on board, it’s important to assess their training needs and create a training plan. It should take into account your team’s familiarity with the new system and take action accordingly. Providing hands-on training and resources such as video tutorials, in-person training or seminars, or even keeping an updated knowledge base can be helpful.

Last but not least, ongoing support and resources for further skill development are crucial for ensuring your team gains confidence in using the new system. This can include regular check-ins, feedback sessions, and access to additional training.

Manage data migration and integration

To have a smooth migration process from Gmail to the new email service provider, manage your data migration and integration as effectively as you can. Here are some tips on how you can ensure a seamless transition to your chosen alternative.

Firstly, create a plan for data migration from Gmail to the new service. It should outline the steps you need to take to move all your emails, contacts, and files to the new platform. Make sure you have a backup of all your data before initiating the migration.

Next, ensure your new email service integrates seamlessly with other tools you use in your organization for communication, collaboration, and productivity. For example, if you use a project management tool, make sure that your email service integrates with it.

Some email providers like LiveAgent offer a seamless free Gmail migration to your new account.

Conclusion

In conclusion, many available alternatives can provide you with many benefits and advantages based on your particular needs and requirements. Whether you are looking for better security, more storage space, advanced features, or improved collaboration tools, there’s an email service out there that can offer you just that.

Don’t hesitate to explore your options and make the switch to a Gmail alternative that will work for you. LiveAgent is definitely an option worth considering; it offers a wide range of benefits, including an advanced ticketing tool, seamless integration with other tools, and excellent email management solutions.