Free email accounts can be quite different in the services they offer for free. We’ve decided to go through the advantages and disadvantages of the most popular free email accounts to try and understand what options make them a good choice for users.
Email accounts differ in very important options: free storage limit, the interface and customization options, and in some advanced features, like filters or the ability to import data. You can choose the best account based on the options that are a must for you.
Best Email Accounts for Free: Gmail
Gmail is at the top of our list. It is Google's free email service with a modern interface and lots of customization options.
If you want to make the interface look more appealing, you can apply different themes. There are tons of advanced settings, the ability to create filters and labels, import email from other accounts and use a chat client. All Gmail email addresses end in @gmail.com.
With Gmail you can even read emails offline!
Gmail allows you to send large files of up to 15 GB in size, as you get free email storage through Google Drive. But if you need to transfer big files of any size, use FileWhopper. With FileWhopper you won’t have to wonder how to send large files via email, as it won’t be a problem any more.
When you're away, Gmail lets you set up a vacation responder to auto-send emails.
You can even sign into multiple Gmail accounts on the same website.
Main Advantages:
- Integrated spam protection
- Free 15 GB of storage space through Google Drive
- A mobile app available for iOS and Android
- Multiple Gmail accounts on the same website
Main Disadvantages:
- Sometimes slow loading
- Different folders and labels could be confusing
Best Email Accounts for Free: Outlook Mail
Outlook Mail is Microsoft's free email service. It has an easy interface that you can customize: change the color scheme and choose where the reading pane should be located. Your Outlook.com account can end in @outlook.com or @hotmail.com.
In Outlook Mail you can set automatic rules like move new messages to a special folder, flag them or forward with certain conditions.
Outlook Mail is linked with Outlook Calendar so you can share events between services.
Main Advantages:
- Clean interface with customization options
- Integration with Outlook Calendar
- Automatic email rules applied
- Multiple account aliases
- Official Outlook app for Android and iOS
Main Disadvantages:
- Sometimes takes a while to load
Best Email Accounts for Free: Yahoo Mail
Yahoo Mail is a very popular free email service created by Yahoo. Yahoo Mail email addresses end in @yahoo.com. With Yahoo Mail you can create up to 500 different addresses that are linked to your main email address. If you need to sign up for various web services often, this is an extremely useful feature.
There are several themes that change the entire background and color scheme of the website. Yahoo Mail has an option for importing contacts from a file on your computer or from your social network account. It also has a built-in news reader and notepad.
With Yahoo Mail you will have access to an online calendar and an instant messaging service.
You can connect email accounts (Gmail, Outlook Mail and others) to Yahoo Mail.
Main Advantages:
- Hundreds of free email addresses in one place
- Built-in GIF database
- Integrated Yahoo Calendar
- Mobile app for iOS and Android
Main Disadvantages:
- Only one option for the email domain name
- Local files can be chosen for attachments, but not files from online storage services
- Not as many filters/rules as other email providers
Best Email Accounts for Free: AOL Mail
AOL Mail is another good free email account option. An AOL email address gives you an email ending in @aol.com, but some accounts also end in @aim.com.
The main page also includes top news and stories.
In AOL Mail you can quickly filter your messages to show only unread or flagged letters.
There are many advanced settings, like changing the spam filters’ sensitivity and blocking mail with specific words.
You can configure an alert to have AOL send you a text message when certain incoming email criteria is met.
There are in-browser sound alerts with several options to choose from.
You can import contacts in different file formats: CSV, TXT, or LDIF.
Main Advantages:
- A calendar and to-do list easily accessed
- Customizable settings
- Lots of themes
- Integrated check spelling
Main Disadvantages:
- No possibility to attach files from online storage sites
- Too much advertising
- Not enough filtering settings
Best Email Accounts for Free: iCloud Mail
iCloud Mail is accessible only to people with an Apple ID, people who have an iPad, iPhone, Mac, etc. iCloud Mail accounts end with @icloud.com.
The iCloud Mail isn't super advanced and you will probably be disappointed if you need lots of options in your email. However, it's very easy to set up for iOS users.
You can automatically forward all inbox mail to a different address if needed. It's easy to unsubscribe from emails in just one or two clicks.
You will get access to 5 GB of free storage space for emails and other files.
If you need to transfer big files that are larger than 5 GB, use FileWhopper. This service helps to shrink files to send to email. Transfer 10GB video file to your friend easily with FileWhopper!
Main Advantages:
- Easy to set up
- Easy to unsubscribe from email lists
- Includes 5 GB of free online storage
Main Disadvantages:
- Only for iOS users
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Gmail’s stripped-back web interface is a highlight. Most of the screen is devoted to your inbox, with a minimum of toolbar and other clutter. Messages are neatly organized via conversations for easier viewing, and you can read and reply to emails with ease, even as a first-time user. Other features are more questionable. Instead of organizing messages into folders, for instance a simple metaphor which just about every user understands you must filter them using a custom labelling system. This works, and has some advantages, but isn’t popular with all users. Still, Gmail is an excellent service overall, and a good first choice for your email provider.