What are the best email services to use today?

Choosing the Right Email Provider: A Comprehensive Guide

Tired of your outdated email address? This guide helps you select a new digital home among the best free email providers, covering top services and their accompanying Mac and iOS apps.

Key Considerations for Email Providers

When choosing an email provider, consider these factors:

• Accessibility and User Interface: Easy online access via a user-friendly, intuitive web interface is crucial.
• Reliability: Opt for providers with a large user base, minimal bugs, and infrequent outages.
• Cost: A free or affordable option is ideal.
• Security: Prioritize providers offering robust security features like two-factor authentication (2FA) and encryption to protect your privacy.

Top Email Provider Choices

Based on thorough testing, here are our top recommendations:

Best Extension Support: Gmail

Gmail, launched in 2004, remains a popular choice, favored by many startups and tech companies. It offers a free personal account, mobile apps, a user-friendly web interface, and generous storage (15 GB free). Its standout feature is extensive extension support, allowing for customization and integration with other tools. However, concerns regarding data privacy and targeted advertising persist.

Best Apple Ecosystem Integration: iCloud

Apple's iCloud offers a free email account (@icloud.com) with seamless integration across Apple devices. It prioritizes user privacy with features like "Protect Mail Activity" (hiding your IP address and removing tracking pixels) and "Hide My Email" (creating disposable email addresses). iCloud subscribers can also port up to five custom domains.

Best Email for Work: Outlook

Microsoft Outlook, despite past perceptions, is a strong contender. It works across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, integrating well with Microsoft Office 365 and its calendar. It offers 15 GB of free storage, robust search functionality, and multiple aliases. The iOS app is particularly well-designed.

Best Independent Provider: Fastmail

For those seeking an alternative to large tech companies, Fastmail is a reliable, secure, and private option. This Australian provider offers email, calendar, contacts, and notes, accessible via web, desktop, and mobile apps. While not free, its affordability and independence ensure long-term sustainability. You can even use your custom domain.

Best Private Solution: ProtonMail

ProtonMail prioritizes end-to-end encryption, ensuring only you and the recipient can read your emails. Based in Switzerland, it benefits from strong privacy laws. While a free account exists, a paid account is recommended for optimal features.

Creating a Free Email Account

The signup process is similar across providers. For Gmail, visit mail.google.com, click "Create account," provide necessary information, and agree to the terms.

Remember to use a strong, unique password and consider a password manager like Secrets for enhanced security.

Enhance Your Email Experience with Apps

While providers offer web interfaces and apps, third-party email apps often provide extra features.

• Canary Mail: Offers encryption, AI-powered replies, and improved organization.

• Spark Mail: Simplifies inbox management with features like Smart Inbox and thread muting.

• BusyContacts: Organizes contacts across multiple accounts.

Consider using WiFi Explorer for network troubleshooting.

Many of these apps are available through Setapp's seven-day free trial.

The above is the detailed content of What are the best email services to use today?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!