Gmail has been under scrutiny due to privacy issues where bots read through your emails to personalize adverts and collect other data that Google can use.
There is no end-to-end encryption, and since people’s Gmail interlinks with many different services and stores passwords, it makes it easier for hackers to access everything.
While Gmail has many useful features, such as scheduling emails, using templates, and many powerful shortcuts, if you want an alternative, here are your best options.
Best alternatives to Gmail include:
Best Free Gmail Alternatives
ProtonMail
As far as a free email service goes, ProtonMail might be your best bet. ProtonMail requires no personal information when you sign up and is end-to-end encrypted.
There is a rumor that the NSA can’t even hack it, so rest assured, security is no problem here.
The interface is modern and functions similarly to Gmail, like starred messages and organized inboxes. ProtonMail also offers a calendar. This email service can be accessed on all Android and IOS devices and can be accessed on the web as well.
ProtonMail offers only 1GB of storage on their free version, so you’ll better benefit from the paid plan, where you can get more storage and customize your domain for $5 a month.
Tutanota
Tutanota means ‘secure message’ in Latin, and this Gmail alternative lives up to its name, featuring end-to-end encryption throughout emails, all email content, contacts, and storage.
You can even anonymously email if you wish. Tutanota uses open-source software and is compatible with web browsers, Android, IOS, and Linux. The user interface is also easy to use.
Tutanota is a favorite amongst political activists and journalists because their privacy is well protected.
Signing up is entirely anonymous, and if someone does end up hacking encryption, they will only be able to view that particular message. This email provider is ad-free with 1GB of storage on their free plan.
Outlook
Outlook can be used for free or with the Office 365 Suite in conjunction with Microsoft apps like Word and Excel.
Although Outlook’s security is on par with Gmail, Outlook never reads your emails. End-to-end encryption is only available with the paid version, but Outlook does scan for email viruses and phishing in their free version.
Outlook’s email interface is simple to understand and has excellent calendar and meeting features, making it fantastic for business use. This email provider offers ample free storage of 15GB, and the paid version gets 50 GB.
Like Gmail, you can also schedule meetings with Outlook, create and schedule emails through Outlook, and make email templates in Outlook to speed up your productivity in the future.
Outlook offers priority inboxes, a contacts app, and a tasks app.
The paid version is $69.99 a year but includes the use of Microsoft apps; the only downside is that you can’t separate the subscription for just the email.
Zoho Mail
Zoho Mail has many features and is completely ad-free. Zoho’s interface and features have the closest similarity to Gmail. Security is top-notch with this email provider, offering both SS/MIME and end-to-end encryption.
Zoho can function as an excellent business tool since it offers functions including calendars, bookmarks, to-do lists, contacts, and inbox organizational features.
You can comment on emails, assign tasks, and use Zoho Docs and Zoho Customer Relation Management for easy personal and business management.
Zoho offers 24/7 customer support, 100GB storage, and scheduled emails and is supported on Android and iOS devices. If you’d like the paid version, it is only $1.05 monthly, and custom domains are available.
GMX
Global Mail Exchange, GMX for short, is free and is well secured with its antivirus software and spam filters, which works well. Emails also get protected by TLS/SSL encryption.
GMX can be used for personal and business, featuring an integrated calendar and mail collector that files third-party inboxes.
The best feature of GMX is that it offers 65GB of storage and 50GB for email attachments, so there will be no worries about sending large attachments or keeping old emails.
There is an added benefit address book feature, and users can have up to ten GMX emails if needed.
Best Paid Gmail Alternatives
Mailbox.org
The Gmail alternative Mailbox.org is an ad-free paid option for personal and business use. It follows Germany’s strict privacy laws, featuring multiple encryptions in emails while in transit. There is stringent spam and virus protection too. You can use a custom domain since it is a paid option.
There is a long list of attributes for Mailbox.org, including its calendar, storage drive, task list option, spreadsheets, presentation software, and more. The user interface is pleasant to use and is minimalistic.
The nifty office suite included with the email service makes Mailbox.org stand out from the rest. You get a 30-day trial, which is ample time to see if this is your email! Price plans start from $1 a month.
Posteo
Posteo is also a Germany-based email provider and has peak security. Signing up does not cost you any personal information, and you will never receive adverts.
Posteo can function on any device, so it is convenient and can migrate from your previous email service.
Posteo has top encryption measures, spam protection, a messaging feature, a calendar, and contact lists, and is open source. Since there is no spam folder, you can set up multiple mailboxes, known as aliases, and organize spam to a specific inbox.
You get 2GB of email storage, but you can purchase up to 20GB. Proton costs 1$ a month and an additional 10 cents per gigabyte of storage, as requested.
Fastmail
Fastmail is diverse and can be used in one of the 30 language options if you’re not English. There are no advertisements, and it protects you from any tracking and spam. The interface is sleek and straightforward and has an app available for iOS and Android. You can also customize your email domain.
Fastmail’s contacts, calendar, and other features function similarly to Gmail. They also have additional functions like a snooze button and the ability to pin emails. Another Fastmail benefit is that you can transfer from Gmail using their Gmail transfer tool.
This email provider is fast, reliable, and suited for business usage. Fastmail starts with 2GB of storage and up to 100GB. An account with Fastmail begins at $3 monthly, with yearly subscriptions available. You won’t miss Gmail when using Fastmail.
Hushmail
Hushmail’s main advantage that ups it from Gmail is its ability to encrypt sent-out emails. Their interface shares commonality with Gmail in organizing their inboxes and adjusting font settings when you send emails.
Hushmail is only $9.99 a month, and they offer two-factor authentification. Their servers are in Canada, so they follow the country’s privacy laws.
They are also HIPAA compliant, meaning that health information gets protected by law and is the recommended email provider for those in the health industry.
This Gmail alternative allows unlimited aliases, has a custom business domain option, and has spam-blocking technology. Hushmail has an intuitive interface and 10GB of storage.
Unfortunately, Hushmail doesn’t have an Android app, only iOS, but you can access your emails on a web browser.
Hey by Basecamp
Hey by Basecamp, Hey for short, has a modern look and feel, aiming to reimagine email functionality. Hey prioritizes and organizes emails for you, allowing effortless workflow. You can put emails in a ‘reply later’ category too!
A nifty feature allows you to set up an endless scrolling through your emails, so you don’t have to open and close each one.
You can send large files effortlessly, standing out from the other Gmail alternatives. You can access hey on the web, Linux, iOS, and Android.
Hey is encrypted, although it isn’t end-to-end, you’re still well protected, your data doesn’t get read, and there are no adverts. Hey costs $99 a year, but if you’re looking for an email reinvention, Hey by Basecamp may be for you.