The Best Free Email Providers

With so many free email providers offering various features, storage capacities, and levels of security, choosing the right one can be challenging. Many come with drawbacks: limited features, ads, or potential misuse of your data.

You want a straightforward emailing experience without the hassle of becoming an expert to pick the right provider.

Having conducted a lot of research on email safety and privacy, I know email providers better than most.

Here's a rundown of the best free email providers of 2024, with the information you need to make the best choice.

I've also put together a guide on the best secure email services.

Contents:

• The Best Free Email Service
• Key Features to Consider
• Email Providers: The Full List
• Choosing the Best Provider

The Best Free Email Service

Long story short, the best free email provider overall is Outlook.

Outlook.com stands out for its robust integration with Microsoft Office apps, user-friendly interface, and organisational features.

It offers generous storage and strong security, making it ideal for both personal and professional use.

The only downside of Outlook, like most free providers, is that you will be shown ads.

However, you can opt out of personalised advertising in Outlook so your data isn't used for ad targeting.

You can also install a free secure email add-in, like Mailock, to protect your emails and attachments from common threats.

Read on for the full list of providers including their pros and cons.

Key Features to Consider

When you're evaluating free email providers, you should consider the following key features:

• Storage Space: The amount of email storage provided and whether it can be expanded.
• Attachment Limits: The maximum size of files you can attach to emails.
• Email Protocols: Support for POP3, IMAP, and SMTP, which affects how you can access and manage your emails across devices.
• Security: Built-in features like encryption, two-factor authentication (2FA), and spam filters.
• Usability: The user interface and how intuitive and user-friendly it is.
• Integration: How well the email service integrates with other tools and services you use.

Comparing Free Email Providers: The Full List

1. Outlook.com

Outlook.com, formerly known as Hotmail, offers robust integration with Microsoft Office apps and 15 GB of free email storage.

It features a Focused Inbox for prioritising important emails, seamless integration with Microsoft services like Word, Excel, and Teams, and supports various platforms, making it a versatile choice for many users.

• Storage: 15 GB of email storage.
• Attachment Limit: 20 MB per email.
• Features: Integration with Microsoft Office apps, Focused Inbox feature, OneDrive cloud storage.
• Security: Two-factor authentication, strong phishing and malware protection, SSL encryption.
• Pros: Excellent integration with Microsoft products, generous storage, useful organisation features.
• Cons: Free version includes ads, strict spam filters have been known to misplace legitimate emails.

2. Gmail

Gmail is the most popular email service worldwide, offering 15 GB of free storage shared across Google services like Drive and Photos.

It tightly integrates with Google's suite of productivity tools, including Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Calendar.

Known for its user-friendly interface and powerful search capabilities, Gmail is a solid choice for both personal and professional use.

It also offers features like customisable email templates, multiple email signatures, and smart replies to enhance productivity.

• Storage: 15 GB of free storage shared across Google services.
• Attachment Limit: 25 MB per email.
• Features: Integration with Google Drive, Docs, Calendar, and other Google services; AI-powered features.
• Security: Two-step verification, strong spam filters, SSL encryption.
• Pros: Generous storage, excellent integration with Google services, sophisticated search tools.
• Cons: Privacy concerns due to data tracking for advertising, presence of ads, limited attachment size.

3. Proton Mail

Proton Mail is a privacy-focused email service based in Switzerland, offering end-to-end encryption and 1 GB of storage on the free plan.

Ideal for people who prioritise security and privacy, Proton Mail is part of the broader Proton ecosystem, which includes Proton VPN and other privacy tools.

• Storage: 1 GB of free storage.
• Attachment Limit: 25 MB per email.
• Features: End-to-end encryption, self-destructing messages, open-source code.
• Security: Strong encryption, two-factor authentication, zero-access encryption.
• Pros: High level of security and privacy, based in Switzerland with strong privacy laws, ad-free and no tracking.
• Cons: Limited storage on the free plan, advanced features require a premium plan, no POP3 support.

4. Zoho Mail

Zoho Mail is a professional email service ideal for businesses, offering custom domain options and 5 GB of free storage.

It integrates well with Zoho’s suite of productivity tools and provides strong security features. Zoho Mail is ad-free and provides a high level of privacy for its users.

• Storage: 5 GB of free storage.
• Attachment Limit: Up to 1 GB depending on the plan.
• Features: Custom domain email, integration with Zoho’s office suite, email scheduling.
• Security: Two-factor authentication, encryption, anti-spam and antivirus protection.
• Pros: Business-friendly features, strong security, ad-free, supports custom domains.
• Cons: Navigating features can be complex, limited storage compared to some competitors.

5. iCloud Mail

iCloud Mail offers seamless integration with Apple devices and services, providing a clean, ad-free email experience.

With 5 GB of free storage shared across all iCloud services, it's perfect for users invested in the Apple ecosystem.

• Storage: 5 GB of free storage shared across iCloud services.
• Attachment Limit: 20 MB per email (up to 5 GB with Mail Drop).
• Features: Integration with Apple devices, hand-off feature, one-click unsubscribe.
• Security: Two-factor authentication, built-in spam filters, SSL encryption.
• Pros: Excellent for Apple users, good customer support, no ads or tracking.
• Cons: Limited to the Apple ecosystem, no POP3 support, less storage compared to some competitors.

6. Yahoo Mail

Yahoo Mail stands out with its generous 1 TB of free storage and customisable interface.

It offers powerful search capabilities and unique features like viewing all attachments in one place, though it includes ads in the free version.

• Storage: 1 TB of free storage.
• Attachment Limit: 25 MB per email.
• Features: Customisable themes, integrated calendar and contacts, powerful search capabilities.
• Security: Spam filters, basic encryption, two-step verification.
• Pros: Large storage capacity, customisable interface.
• Cons: Ads in the free version, historical security breaches, fewer advanced features than competitors.

7. AOL Mail

AOL Mail offers 1 TB of free storage and is known for its simple, user-friendly interface.

It includes basic email features and spam filtering, making it a reliable option for long-term email storage.

• Storage: 1 TB of free storage.
• Attachment Limit: 25 MB per email.
• Features: Customisable folders, integrated calendar and tasks, simple user interface.
• Security: Spam and virus protection, two-step verification.
• Pros: Huge storage capacity, easy to use.
• Cons: No advanced features, includes ads.

8. Mail.com

Mail.com provides 65 GB of free storage and allows users to choose from over 100 different domain names.

While it offers basic email features, its large attachment size limit is a significant advantage.

• Storage: 65 GB of free storage.
• Attachment Limit: 30 MB per email.
• Features: Over 100 domain options, calendar, cloud storage.
• Security: SSL encryption, spam filters.
• Pros: Large attachment size limit, variety of domain names.
• Cons: Basic spam filtering, ad-supported, limited customer support.

9. Tuta

Tuta (formerly Tutanota) is a privacy-focused email provider offering 1 GB of free storage with end-to-end encryption.

It's ad-free and prioritises user privacy, making it a strong choice for security-conscious individuals.

• Storage: 1 GB of free storage.
• Attachment Limit: 25 MB per email.
• Features: Ad-free, end-to-end encryption, privacy-focused.
• Security: Strong encryption, two-factor authentication.
• Pros: High level of privacy and security, no ads.
• Cons: Limited storage.

10. Mailfence

Mailfence offers robust security features, including end-to-end encryption and digital signatures.

While it provides only 500 MB of free storage, it's ideal for users needing secure communication.

• Storage: 500 MB of free storage.
• Attachment Limit: 25 MB per email.
• Features: End-to-end encryption, digital signatures, integrated calendar and contacts.
• Security: Strong encryption, no tracking, ad-free.
• Pros: Excellent security features, digital signatures for added authenticity.
• Cons: Limited storage, advanced features require a premium plan.

How to Choose the Best Email Provider

When selecting the best email provider, it's crucial to consider your specific needs and priorities:

• For Integration: If you use Microsoft products, Outlook.com offers seamless integration with Office apps. Gmail integrates well with Google's suite of services.
• For Storage Needs: Yahoo Mail and AOL Mail offer 1 TB of free storage. Gmail and Outlook.com provide 15 GB of free storage.
• For Security: Proton Mail, Tuta, and Mailfence offer strong encryption and privacy features.
• For Custom Domains: Zoho Mail is ideal for businesses needing custom domain emails.
• For Apple Users: iCloud Mail offers seamless functionality with Apple devices and unique features like Mail Drop and hand-off.

The Best Free Email

Choosing the right free email provider depends on your needs for storage, security, integration, and usability.

Providers like Outlook.com and Gmail offer a balance of features and storage, making them excellent all-around choices.

If privacy and security are your top priorities, consider options like Proton Mail or Tuta, or use the Mailock add-in with Outlook. You can create a free Mailock account to secure your Outlook emails.

Evaluate your specific requirements and select the provider that best suits your needs for a seamless and secure email experience.

References:

How private is your Gmail, and should you switch?, The Guardian, 2021

Reviewed by:

Sam Kendall, 30.06.24

Sabrina McClune, 30.06.24