Free email accounts may seem like a dime a dozen, but some free services stand way above the rest. This article guides you through the best free email accounts and the features that make them great.
Never reveal personal information in your email address (the part before the @), such as your home address or phone number. It's common for addresses to be a name with a couple of numbers, or a word or phrase that means something.
01
of 10
Gmail
What We Like
Includes private messaging features.
Excellent spam protection.
Includes 15 GB of space for emails and other files.
Integrates closely with other Google services.
What We Don't Like
Dealing with folders/labels can be confusing.
It's probably not a surprise thatGmailtops this list of the best free email accounts. Google's free email servicehas a modern feel, is tightly integrated with the company's other services, and does a good job of blocking spam.
It has some other nifty features, too, such as the option to snooze emails for later, schedule emails to be sent later, and read mail offline. You can also send emails that expire and require a unique code to open, store messages in a 15 GB vault, share files from your Drive account, undo sending messages, and set up vacation responses.
Gmail is closely connected with the company's other products, meaning you can use your account to collaborate with people on projects or hold virtual meetings. It works with Meet's picture-in-picture feature, so you can see and hear people you're working with while composing a message or reading an email.
You can apply different themes to Gmail's interface to customize how it appears, access tons of advanced settings, create filtersand labels, import email fromother email accounts, and use a chat client. You can also install gadgets (add-ons) to extend Gmail's functionality.
All addresses end in @gmail.com.
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02
of 10
Outlook
What We Like
Clean interface that's easy to use.
Works closely with other Microsoft services.
Organizes mail automatically.
Multiple account aliases hide your actual email address.
What We Don't Like
Sometimes takes a while to load.
Outlook is Microsoft's free email service that—like Gmail—has a solid interface that's easy to navigate. It's easily second to Google's service or even tied as the best free email provider.
The website is intuitive; it's as easy as right-clicking an email to find further options that include moving and deleting messages and searching for every emailfrom that one sender.
Outlook supports mail rules, which means you can set new messages to move to a specified folder automatically, be categorized, flagged,or forwarded if certain conditions are met. You can also connect directly to Skype through your email and use add-ons such as PayPal and DocuSign.
Your email address can end with @outlook.comor @hotmail.com.
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03
of 10
Yahoo Mail
What We Like
Tons of email storage space.
Lets you make hundreds of free disposable email addresses.
Includes a built-in GIF database.
Using Yahoo Calendar from the email area is easy.
What We Don't Like
Not as many filters/rules as other email providers.
Yahoo Mailis notable because each new user gets 1TBof free storage for email.
The compose window is similar to Gmail, but one helpful difference; it's easy to switch between inline image attachments and regular file attachments.
This is probably the best email service when it comes to alternate identities or aliases. You can create disposable addresses linked to your inbox without revealing your actual address. This feature is helpful when you sign up for accounts and don't want your regular inbox spammed or filled with useless email; delete the disposable address if the spam becomes too overwhelming.
You can also insert GIFs from a built-in GIF collection, use themes that change the background and color scheme of the website, and import contacts from a file on your computer and other accounts like Facebook or Outlook. You can also use a built-in notepad, attach files from Google Drive or Dropbox, access the online calendar app, and connect external accounts so you can use one interface to manage email.
Email addresses can end with @yahoo.com or @myyahoo.com.
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04
of 10
AOL Mail
What We Like
A calendar and to-do list are easily accessible from the email page.
Selection of themes to choose from.
Can check spelling before sending every email.
What We Don't Like
It's easy to accidentally open the news section instead of your email.
Lots of ads.
Some features require a paid AOL Desktop Gold subscription.
AOL Mail is another free email account option. The main page includes top stories from AOL.com, which can be viewed as a pleasant addition or seem cluttered, depending on your preferences.
Like most email providers, you can filter your messages to only show unread or read emails or flagged or unflagged messages.With AOL Mail, you can block mail senders and set up filters.
Your AOL.com account comes with a calendar and to-do list that are accessible from the inbox. However, some features, such as a chat room, require a paid AOL Desktop Gold subscription.
An AOL email address gives you an email like example@aol.com, but you can also receive mail if someone messages example@aim.com.
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05
of 10
Proton Mail
What We Like
Relies heavily on encrypting email data.
Send encrypted emails to anyone, even if they don't use Proton Mail.
Choose when an email will expire.
What We Don't Like
Limited to 1 GB of storage.
Free account limited to 150 messages per day.
No vacation replies.
Supports only three folders and labels.
The main difference betweenProton Mailand the other email services is that this one is centered aroundemail encryption. The idea is that you can send mail without fear that the people at Proton Mail or anyone else besides the recipient can read the message.
Messages sent to other Proton Mail users are always encrypted. Otherwise, when you're ready to email a non-user, select that button first. If you encrypt a message, you can set an expiration time so that it's destroyed and unreadable after the duration you specify.
The maximum expiration time is four weeks (28 days), but you can choose something sooner, like 1 to 6 days or 1 to 23 hours. If you message a non-user and don't define an expiration time, the message expires in 28 days.
Recipients who receive encrypted messages open the email through a link that asks for the password, where it's decrypted and displayed in the browser. They can reply through an encrypted channel via the same message they decrypted and don't need a Proton Mail account.
Another privacy-minded feature is Link Confirmation, which guards against phishing attacks by displaying a pop-up window when you select a link, letting you confirm where it goes before actually going there.
Email addresses can end as @proton.me or @protonmail.com.
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06
of 10
Tutanota
What We Like
Encrypts email automatically.
Send encrypted emails to non-users.
Several domain options for new accounts.
Requires a strong email password.
What We Don't Like
Includes only 1 GB of storage space.
Some features require a paid account.
Tutanota (Latin for "tuta nota," meaning "secure message") is similar to Proton Mail in that it automatically encrypts your emails. However, you can disable end-to-end encryption if you'd like.
One thing that stands out is that you can't create your account until you make a secure password. Some places urge you to make your password stronger but still accept it: Tutanota requires it.
The web interface is straightforward and provides menu transitions that bring together the mail folders and email settings. When sending messages to non-users, you can make them password protected or keep them unencrypted. If a password is designated, the recipient gets a custom link to open the message; they must enter the password to read and reply.
The best feature is that when the user responds to an email not using Tutanota, the messages are still contained within the temporary account. You can have back and forth communication with any other email service, and the recipient can keep the link open the entire time.
Even though it isn't as well known as Gmail or Yahoo, Tutanota lets you have an email signature, use up to 1 GB of storage, and automatically add emailed recipients as new contacts. Premium features can be had for a cost.
You can make an account with any of these domains:tutanota.com, tutanota.de, tutamail.com, tuta.io, keemail.me.
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07
of 10
iCloud Mail
What We Like
Unsubscribing from email lists is easy.
Includes 5 GB of free online storage.
Works from a computer or mobile device.
What We Don't Like
Not as advanced as some other providers.
iCloud Mailis an interesting service because many people don't realize they're only a few steps away from having one. For this reason thatit's one of the better providers: Most people can set it up in seconds.
It's free to anyone who signs up for an Apple ID, but it isn't limited only to Apple products. Anyone can get a free iCloud ID and access iCloud Mail on their computer.
Once you make an account, you can log in from any computer and access a suite of products in addition to your mail, like notes, reminders, photos, iCloud Drive content, contacts, calendar events, and anything else that's been synced to iCloud from your iOS device.
The email portion of iCloud isn't super advanced and probably won't serve you well if you want lots of options. However, it's effortless to set up, and you don't have to go through a tedious process of adding your name and choosing a password. All of this works well with your existing Apple ID or a new free iCloud account.
You get 5 GB of free storage for emails and other iCloud files, IMAP support, forwarding options, large file attachment support (up to 5 GB via Mail Drop), and a two-click method to unsubscribe from unwanted emails.
New accounts end with@icloud.com.
08
of 10
Yandex Mail
What We Like
Free storage for email and other Yandex services.
Lets you sign up with an existing Facebook, Twitter, or Gmail account.
Reminds you if the recipient doesn't respond after a specified number of days.
Includes a built-in translator.
What We Don't Like
2FA requires a special Yandex app (most providers use Google Authenticator).
Can't change the 24-hour time format.
Yandex is a Russian company that provides many tools and free email accounts, such as 5 GB of online storage, a calendar, and a search engine. Like Google, your Yandex email makes it possible to access these services using one login.
The interface is friendly. It's easy to read and provides a simple layout while still keeping all the necessary tools intact. Like most other providers in this list, this one supports email filters, contact importing and exporting, tasks, and hotkeys.
However, it's also unique in many ways that make it one of the better ones out there. You can forward multiple messages with ease; they send as file attachments. Delayed messaging is supported, you can be notified when an email is received and reminded later if you don't get a reply, and the part after @ can be your website domain name (for free).
By default, all addresses end with@yandex.com.
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09
of 10
Zoho Mail
What We Like
Works well for teams.
Supports tabbed email windows.
Connecting to other Zoho apps is easy.
The design is clean and minimal.
What We Don't Like
All the other interconnected Zoho apps might be overwhelming.
It's primarily centered around business use.
AlthoughZoho Mailhas a free email service, Zoho is an online suite of several apps centered around business use.
When composing a message, the first thing you might noticeis the minimal design, which can be a great thing. When you make a new message, you can quickly switch between it and the rest of your mail through the smalltabs at the top of the page.
The Streamsfeature makes it easy to create groups where you and your team members can interact with shared messages and attachments. It works a bit like aprivate social media site.
All the standard compose tools are included, but you can also add files from Zoho Docs, Google Drive, OneDrive, Box, and other services and include tables in your messages. It also lets you create new notes and tasks, use keyboard shortcuts, enable filters for auto-management, set up vacation replies, and send custom domains to an allow or block list.
All addresses end as@zohomail.com.
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10
of 10
10 Minute Mail
What We Like
Gives you an address in seconds.
You can get an account without making a user account.
Dissolves automatically after 10 minutes.
What We Don't Like
There's a 10 minute limit for every account.
The addresses are too long to remember.
10 Minute Mail is one of the best email services if you need an email addressright now, temporarily, and without going through the typical user registration steps.
As the name suggests, it's not a full-fledged email provider, since it gives you an account for only 10 minutes.However, it is included here because it's perfect for whenever you require a temporary email account.
Instead of providing the primary email you use for everything else, plug in a disposable address from this site. You'll get emails like you would with a regular account, but it's not tied to your identity, and when the time is up, you don't have to worry about closing the account, deleting the emails, or anything—exit the page or let the time expire.
10 Minute Mail is perfect when you're testing a service and don't want to get emails in your regular inbox. It's also helpful when sharing your email address with someone you don't trust. It's a valid email account from which you can get verification emails and replies, but it disappears soon after.
Youcoulduse it for longer if you need to, but you'll have to use the button on the email page to reset the clock before the 10 minutes is up.
Tips for Choosing a Free Email Service
When you pick an email account, look for a few characteristics to help you determine which is best for you. They differ in how much storage you get, what the interface looks like, how you customize it, and what types of advanced features are included, such as messaging, filters, and the ability to import other data.
It's also probably important to you what your actual email address is. If your first choice doesn't give you the address you're looking for, move on to the next one on the list. Try different combinations and variations to find one that's not already taken. A username generator is a smart way to come up with something unique.
If you're signing up for a new email account because you don't know your current one, it might be easier to figure out your email address to avoid making an entirely new account.
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FAQs
10 Best Free Email Accounts for 2023? ›
You may already have a Gmail account—an email address that ends in @gmail.com. It's completely free to sign up for Gmail and create a Gmail address of your own.
Is Gmail free 2023? ›You may already have a Gmail account—an email address that ends in @gmail.com. It's completely free to sign up for Gmail and create a Gmail address of your own.
What is the safest free email account to have? ›- ProtonMail. ProtonMail is the most well-known secure email provider. ...
- Mailbox.org. Mailbox.org is a secure email service aimed at business users looking for an alternative to Google or Microsoft tools. ...
- HubSpot. ...
- Zoho Mail. ...
- Tutanota. ...
- Posteo. ...
- Thexyz. ...
- PrivateMail.
Top free providers include Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, AOL, Zoho, Mail.Com, and ProtonMail. Email providers that are more secure than the others are ProtonMail, CounterMail, Hushmail, and Tutanota. Some webmail clients that provide paid services include Zoho, Gmail, Hushmail, and ProtonMail.
Is there a better free email than Gmail? ›Proton Mail is one of the most secure and easy-to-use Gmail alternatives. It's not only an email service but also a calendar, cloud storage, and a VPN. Let's look at what makes Proton stand out from the Gmail competition: Proton's security claims are verified by independent tech experts.
What is the least hacked email provider? ›- ProtonMail. ProtonMail was founded in 2014 at the CERN research facility by Andy Yen, Jason Stockman, and Wei Sun. ...
- Hushmail. ...
- Tutanota. ...
- CounterMail. ...
- Mailfence. ...
- Librem Mail.
Is Gmail free and forever? Yes! Though Gmail used to charge a small amount of money for hosting your data, it eventually stopped charging anyone years ago. As a result, nothing prevents you from keeping your account indefinitely.
How long will Gmail be free? ›Google announced yesterday (Jan. 19) that all users of the G Suite "legacy free edition" would need to "to upgrade to a paid Google Workspace subscription" by July 1, 2022 in order to keep using Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive and the Google office suite, including Docs, Sheets and Slides.
Is Gmail no longer free? ›From May 1, 2022, Google will be pulling its plug for the Legacy Free Edition. This means G Suite is no longer free and a subscription from all users is required. When Google launched the legacy free edition on December 6, 2012, a lot of users moved towards the free account but the business services were reduced.
What is the most secure email to have? ›- Securemyemail. Best overall secure email service. ...
- ProtonMail. Most popular secure email provider. ...
- Mailbox.org. Secure email workflow for business users. ...
- Zoho Mail. Affordable email with a focus on security. ...
- Posteo. Anonymized email for activists. ...
- PrivateMail.
Which is safer Gmail or Hotmail? ›
Both are very secure platforms, but Gmail offers better spam protection. Security is extremely important for email, and both Gmail and Outlook ensure protection for their users. Both platforms offer security features like two-factor authentication, encryption in transit, and confidential mode.
Is Gmail or Yahoo safer? ›Google has a better track record of security with Yahoo having one of the largest data breaches back in 2016 on 500 million accounts. Plus, Gmail does a better job of forcing you into using stronger passwords, setting up two-step authentication, and has a session expiry to prevent you from getting hacked.
What is the most used email in the US? ›While Gmail is undoubtedly the biggest player when it comes to the world of emailing, it isn't the only option out there. People still enjoy using traditional mail clients such as Apple Mail, Hotmail, ProtonMail, Yandex Mail, and Yahoo!.
What is the easiest email account to set up? ›- Gmail. You knew Google was going to top this list, right? ...
- 2. Yahoo Mail. A few years ago, Yahoo Mail never would have made it on this list. ...
- Outlook.com. ...
- ProtonMail. ...
- GMX Email. ...
- AOL Mail. ...
- Yandex Mail.
Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo are clearly not the most secure email providers. None of them encrypt your messages end-to-end, and none take your privacy very seriously. Some users are still surprised to learn that Google and others scan your emails for keywords to show more personalized ads.
Which is the best email after Gmail? ›- Apple Mail for iPhone and Mac users.
- ProtonMail for security.
- Microsoft Outlook for Microsoft users.
- Yahoo Mail for storage.
- Other Gmail alternatives.
Is Proton Mail safer than Gmail? Yes. End-to-end encryption is king when it comes to data protection. All data stored on Proton Mail is encrypted, so neither hackers nor ProtonMail employees can read the contents of your messages.
How many emails can free Gmail hold? ›How many recipients does Gmail allow? Free Gmail account — If you use a free Gmail account, you are limited to sending a maximum of 500 emails in a 24-hour period, and a maximum of 100 addresses per email.
What email is untraceable? ›ProtonMail is one of the best anonymous email service providers and it's free! Your emails are end-to-end encrypted. The only party who can read your email is the receiver of your message. ProtonMail can't access your messages because they're stored in an encrypted state.
What is an email address that can't be hacked? ›ProtonMail. ProtonMail is one of the most popular secure email providers. It uses PGP encryption to encrypt your emails before they leave your device and at rest. ProtonMail also has a zero-knowledge policy, meaning that no one, not even ProtonMail employees, can snoop on your messages.
Which email is most likely phishing? ›
- The fake invoice scam.
- Email account upgrade scam.
- Advance-fee scam.
- Google Docs scam.
- PayPal Scam.
- Message from HR scam.
- Dropbox scam.
- The council tax scam.
Google is going to start charging small businesses for use of its Google Workspace suite of tools, including Gmail. The fee is expected to be about $6 a month.
Why do I have to pay for Gmail now? ›Basically, Google has set a 15 GB storage cap on its free Gmail service. So, anyone wishing to store more emails in their Gmail account now has little choice but to cough up.
Do old Gmail accounts get deleted? ›Google reserves the right to delete an inactive Google Account and its activity and data if you are inactive across Google for at least two years.
Why is Google deleting my account? ›Google will delete accounts older than two years to help avoid security risks, the company announced Tuesday. The tech giant said neglected accounts are more likely to use old or repeated passwords and less likely to have two-step authentication enabled and to do security checks on the account.
Why did I stop getting emails to Gmail? ›One reason why your Gmail may not be receiving emails could be because of an outdated web browser. If you are using an older version of Chrome or Firefox, try updating to the latest version and see if that fixes the problem. Another possibility is that your email filters are accidentally deleting incoming messages.
What is safer than email? ›Faxing protocols make it nearly impossible to intercept a fax in mid-transmission – making it more secure than email. Electronic faxing with FaxMaker makes it easy to access this more secure protocol.
Is Gmail secure for banking? ›Is Gmail Secure for Banking? To some level, Gmail is secure for banking, but it's not advised to use Gmail for banking without a VPN since Gmail is not 100% secure.
What is the most used email service? ›What is the most widely used email service? According to Statista, Gmail is the most popular email client in today's world, with more than 1.5 billion active users globally. If you're going to focus on designing your emails for one email provider, Gmail is a good place to start.
Does Hotmail still work 2023? ›While hotmail.com email addresses still exist for users who opted to keep them when Outlook took over, Hotmail is completely shut for new users.
Can I have 2 Gmail accounts? ›
Can I Have Multiple Gmail Accounts? The short answer is, "Yes, you can have multiple Gmail accounts." Many professionals have both a personal Gmail account and a work Gmail account tethered to their CRM.
Is Hotmail being discontinued? ›Microsoft announced earlier this week that it is closing Hotmail and moving the "hundreds of millions" still using it to Outlook.com by this summer. The move isn't unexpected, but perhaps more sudden than some anticipated.
Is Yahoo Mail going away 2023? ›The Yahoo app is going away by the end of June 2023. Everything you love in the Yahoo app can still be accessed either through the Yahoo Mail app or the Yahoo News app. If you use email, download the Yahoo Mail app.
Does anyone use Yahoo email anymore? ›Yes, people still use Yahoo Mail. According to one report from late 2019, there are more than 200 million active Yahoo email users responsible for more than 26 billion emails every day—all by themselves.
Who uses Yahoo anymore? ›As per the latest data of 2019, Yahoo! Mail still has 225 million active users.
What is the most famous email account? ›- Gmail. Since 2004, Gmail has rapidly become the most popular email provider globally. ...
- Outlook. Outlook started as Hotmail back in 1996. ...
- AOL. ...
- Proton Mail. ...
- Zoho Mail. ...
- GMX. ...
- iCloud Mail. ...
- 8. Yahoo Mail.
According to a new study from MailChimp, Gmail and Hotmail users have a median age of 31.
How often do people change their email address? ›One in three people change their email address once a year, due to changing ISPs, switching jobs or just trying to out-run the spammers. However, this practice is making life hard for marketing firms or others who rely on their database to drive their business.
What is the easiest email account for seniors? ›InTouchLink gives seniors and those with minimal experience using computers or the Internet a fun, safe, and easy-to-learn system for emailing, surfing the Internet and so much more. InTouchLink is a web-based system than be used anywhere.
Which email doesn t require phone number? ›Gmail – Google will let you create an account, and skip the part about entering a phone number, although you must provide birthday and gender. Note – By default, every message is password secured, and a password must be known to both the user and sender.
What is the oldest email account? ›
Ray Tomlinson, of BBN, sent the first message across the network in 1971, initiating the use of the "@" sign to separate the names of the user and the user's machine. He sent a message from one Digital Equipment Corporation PDP-10 computer to another PDP-10.
Should I stop using AOL Mail? ›AOL Mail is another email provider that is considered bad for user privacy and data security. The service became part of Verizon Media back in 2017 after the business was successfully acquired alongside Yahoo.
Is AOL email going away? ›But the iconic America Online brand, the gateway to the web in its early days, is officially no more. The brand will be phased out in Verizon's $5 billion fire sale of its media assets, consisting of AOL and Yahoo, to Apollo Global Management, announced Monday.
How do I create a safe email address? ›- Use non-identifying information. ...
- Use a password no one else knows. ...
- Use two-step verification. ...
- Review security notifications. ...
- Use secure devices. ...
- Always log out. ...
- Don't allow browser or mobile phone to remember your email account or passwords. ...
- Be cautious when giving out your email address.
What is the most widely used email service? According to Statista, Gmail is the most popular email client in today's world, with more than 1.5 billion active users globally. If you're going to focus on designing your emails for one email provider, Gmail is a good place to start.
Can I have 2 Gmail email addresses? ›You can add both Gmail and non-Gmail accounts to the Gmail app for Android. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Gmail app . In the top right, tap your profile picture. Tap Add another account.
How do I create a free email address? ›- Go to the Google Account creation page.
- Follow the steps on the screen to set up your account.
- Use the account you created to sign in to Gmail.
The Sweet Spot. Having two email accounts and using filters and folders is a good compromise if you want to keep your personal and professional communications separate but still want to have better management of individual emails.
What is the second most popular email? ›According to the latest data, as of February 2023, the two most used email clients in the world are Apple and Gmail. At 59.81%, Apple has the majority of the email client market share. It's used by more than half of the world's email users to send and receive emails.
What are the old email providers? ›AOL Mail, Hotmail, Lycos, Mail.com, Yahoo! Mail, launched in the 1990s, are among the early providers of free email accounts, joined by Gmail in 2004. They attract users because they are free and can advertise their service on every message.
How many email accounts can I have with one phone number? ›
Gmail accounts per phone number
You can have up to four Gmail accounts verified with the same phone number. Even though some of us might need to exceed this limit, this is not possible due to security measures that help to keep the internet a safer environment.
Creating a New Gmail Address
Within Google, it's not possible to change your email address – therefore you need to create a new one. To create a new email address, you need to set up a new Gmail account: Step 1. Go to the Google Account creation page.
Email accounts are easy to set up and there's no limit to how many you can have. Rather than slowing down communication and processes, having more than one email address can actually speed them up.
How do I keep my Gmail accounts separate? ›On your computer, go to Gmail. Next to "Inbox type," select Multiple inboxes. To change multiple inbox settings, click Customize.
How many emails can Gmail hold? ›How many recipients does Gmail allow? Free Gmail account — If you use a free Gmail account, you are limited to sending a maximum of 500 emails in a 24-hour period, and a maximum of 100 addresses per email.
How can I see all accounts associated with my phone number? ›See Accounts Linked to Your Phone Number
There is no database that tracks how your phone number is used, and your phone service provider doesn't have this information either. The only way to check is to use the “account recovery” process for websites, platforms, and apps.
Webmail providers
Basically any free email provider offers webmail access to users' mailboxes. Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, and Outlook are some of the most common webmail services. You can access your mailbox in the browser via a web client provided by the email service.
Gmail (Android, iOS: Free)
Google's Gmail is available by default on most Android devices, but you can also download it for iOS.