There are several email service providers you can use for your business and personal use. Read this guide to learn about the most popular email providers.
There are several email service providers you can use for your business and personal use. Whether you need a full-featured email service or plan to incorporate an all-in-one email marketing service provider, read this guide to learn about the most popular email providers.
If you’re going to send an email to hundreds or thousands of people, it’s critical that that email looks good to all of them. Understanding why each customer processes email differently and what you can do to ensure your emails look good to each customer is crucial for email marketing . Ensuring you have basic email features, such as an easy-to-use interface, virus protection, encrypted calendaring, backups, and storage capacity, helps create an end-to-end secure and reliable email delivery environment for both you and your recipients.
It’s important to focus on the most popular email service providers so that your emails look consistent across different email clients. According to statistics, Gmail and Outlook are two of the best email services to focus on, even for personal purposes. Still, you might prefer a business email platform if you need features like custom domains, a landing page builder, productivity tools, additional tools, or email servers with advanced security features to prevent unauthorized access.
If you’d like to learn more about how to design your emails to fit the most popular free and paid email delivery service providers, here’s a list of the top email services.
Learn how to define your brand’s voice, design an engaging website, and create attention-grabbing content with our help.
Most used email service providers
Table of Contents
Gmail
Google’s Gmail is one of the most popular email solutions because it’s easy to use, both free and paid. In fact, Gmail accounted for 36.5% of email opens worldwide in 2021. Gmail supports 105 languages and also offers paid plans for businesses of all sizes. The plan you choose determines the storage, calendar and attachment options, productivity apps, support options, customer service, and features available to you. Many email marketers appreciate Gmail for its intuitive interface, large email storage, and integration with Google Workspace for improved productivity, with access to tools like Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Drive for cloud storage.
One of the best features of this email platform is that it’s simple and works with virtually any device. Gmail is compatible with most popular web browsers, and email apps are available for Windows and Apple computers and iOS and Android mobile devices. Gmail can also be installed on Chrome OS and other Linux-based operating systems.
Outlook
Outlook is an email service offered by Microsoft as part of the Microsoft Office suite. In addition to this paid version of Outlook, there is a free web-based version, formerly known as Hotmail.
Like Gmail, Outlook offers email applications for various operating systems and devices, so it can be used on multiple devices and platforms. Linux operating systems are the only exception, as there is no official Outlook client for Linux. Outlook is easy to use and can be integrated with many different advanced productivity applications, making it a popular choice for businesses and individuals by improving productivity. Its user-friendly interface and keyboard shortcuts can streamline daily email tasks and improve productivity. However, advanced email marketing campaigns, such as mass emails and conventional email carts, generally require specialized marketing software, not just Outlook.
When it comes to email delivery and widespread compatibility, Outlook and Gmail are two of the most popular options. Both can function as email hosting providers with end-to-end email and data encryption, or if you purchase custom domains or integrate them with your mail server, they can serve as an email alternative, allowing for significant capacity and the use of custom domains.
secure email
secure email differentiates itself from Gmail and Outlook by providing enhanced security. secure email uses end-to-end encryption to ensure users’ complete privacy with every email delivery. Since the company has its headquarters and data centers in Switzerland, it complies with Swiss privacy laws. This can be an excellent option for businesses that prioritize strong encryption and privacy in their email communications, although secure email is not designed for advanced automation, email workflows, tool integrations, or large-scale transactional email needs.
Furthermore, secure email is easy to use, so you don’t have to worry about a steep learning curve. Although secure email is popular, it’s not as widespread as Gmail and Outlook.
AOL Mail
There was a time when AOL was the most well-known company on the internet. Although times have changed and AOL is now a division of Verizon Communications, AOL Mail remains one of the most popular free conventional email services. AOL Mail allows you to link other email accounts, such as Outlook and Gmail, and provides limited storage for users. It also includes antivirus and spam protection. AOL Mail’s address book and auto-forwarding can support very basic manual emailing, but it isn’t designed to handle bulk email or advanced email automation for shopping cart campaigns, message threads, or larger-scale marketing workflows.
One thing to keep in mind with AOL email accounts is that they are deactivated after 90 days of inactivity and deleted after 180 days of inactivity. You should check your mailing list to make sure you’re not sending emails to deactivated AOL mailboxes.
Yahoo! Mail
Yahoo! Mail, launched in 1997 and currently available in 27 languages, is one of the oldest email clients on the web. Although Yahoo! Mail began as a web client more than two decades ago, it has grown to the point that it now has mobile apps. Yahoo! Mail’s email address domains include “@yahoo.com” and “@ymail.com.” Yahoo! Mail is ideal for personal email, especially for people who use other Yahoo services.
While Yahoo! Mail isn’t as popular as Outlook and Gmail, the email provider has 225 million active users . Therefore, using Inbox Preview to check if an email looks good for Yahoo! Mail is important for your marketing campaigns. In fact, Yahoo! Mail isn’t generally used for e-commerce or shopping cart email campaigns, as it lacks the specialized marketing features and automation required for these workflows.
Zhou
Zhou is an Indian technology company known for its aptly named Zhou Office Suite. While Gmail and Outlook remain popular choices for many businesses, Zhou is rapidly gaining popularity—with 15 million users worldwide —which may be due to its clean design , excellent security, and affordable premium paid subscriptions for both personal and business use. Zhou Mail is known for its user-friendly interface, custom domains, and advanced security if you choose a paid plan.
Depending on your plan, Zhou offers domain aliases, email hosting, offline access, email recovery, tool integrations, attachments up to 1 GB, and much more. Some of Zoho’s key features include Zoho Campaigns, which can help you build your mass email list, maintain a clean contact database, and manage basic shopping cart campaigns or newsletters, although more advanced e-commerce triggers may require additional integrations. If you’re looking for a feature-rich provider, Zoho is a solid choice, but keep in mind that you may encounter limits for paid subscriptions or limited storage at certain tiers.
iCloud Mail
iCloud has become increasingly popular, as iPhones and iOS operating systems are huge players in the tech world. As long as you have an Apple account and an Apple device, you can connect to iCloud email using your Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail, or AOL Mail address. While iCloud is compatible with other email providers, it still displays email differently.
Although iCloud Mail is a popular option because it comes preinstalled on iPhones and other Apple devices, many users may choose to download Gmail or other third-party email services. Still, iCloud Mail can function as a secure email service with strong encryption for private emails if you use the built-in security features.
Gmail
Gmail is one of the email service providers you may have never heard of. There are two different versions of Gmail Email: one for German users and another for English, French, and Spanish users. The version you choose determines the features available with the free version of Gmail Email.
With Gmail Mail, you’ll have access to features like virus and spam protection, file drag and drop, and the ability to share attachments up to 50MB. Gmail Mail also supports SMTP , POP3, and IMAP4. While Gmail can be useful for small-scale emailing—and the 50MB maximum attachment limit can be restrictive—it’s not an all-in-one newsletter platform and doesn’t officially offer “unlimited emails” or subscriber-based marketing plans.
While it’s a good idea to design your emails with Gmail email in mind, keep in mind that it’s not as popular because it relies heavily on pop-up ads.
Although not as well-known as Gmail or Outlook, Mail. com’s extensive features are undeniable. Mail.com is one of the most powerful free email service providers available today, for both personal and professional email accounts.
With Mail.com, users aren’t limited to one domain extension for their email address. Instead, they can choose from over 200 domain extensions to find the perfect fit for their business and brand. This versatility can help address contact limits if your email marketing strategy requires multiple addresses.
Some of the tools available to all users who register an email account with Mail.com include:
- Online Office: Get instant access to digital word processing and spreadsheet tools to manage your most important files, right in your email.
- Organizer: Use a robust, real-time calendar to manage contacts, schedule appointments, and even set reminders. You can also choose to connect and sync any other calendars you’re using to manage your business or email account(s).
- Storage: All Mail.com users are allowed 65GB of storage at no cost.
- Filters: Sort emails with predefined templates or filters, or create your own to optimize your incoming email management.
Some of the security features offered for all Mail.com accounts (including free email addresses) include:
- Antivirus: Use your email with complete peace of mind, knowing that an antivirus is active and protecting your inbox at all times.
- Spam filter: Using a spam filter goes far beyond stopping annoying emails. This feature can also significantly reduce viruses and malware from reaching your inbox.
- 2FA: Two-factor authentication is also available and can be enabled to provide an additional layer of security to your email account when using Mail.com.
Whether you’re looking for an email service provider that lets you create your own email design templates or prefer security and protection when it comes to your email, Mail.com is a great option.
Learn how to define your brand’s voice, design an engaging website, and create attention-grabbing content with our help.
What is the most used email service?
According to Statista, Gmail is the most popular email client in the world today, with more than 1.5 billion active users worldwide.
The native email app preinstalled on Apple’s iPhone is the second most used email service. This is because all iPhone users who sign in with an Apple ID have their email connected to Apple Mail. Outlook is also a widely used email client for both personal and business use. Knowing this can help you make your emails look great in every inbox , as you can tailor your email designs to your intended use.
How to transfer emails from one service provider to anther?
If you want to transfer emails between email services or providers, you’ll need to sign up for an account with the provider you want to switch to. Once you’ve signed up for an account, you’ll need to redirect your email-related DNS records. Once this is resolved, you’ll need to configure IMAP and SMTP and check if your email address is working.
What is the best free email service provider?
If you’re looking for the best business email service without breaking the bank, starting with the most popular email providers is a good option. Gmail, Outlook, and Proton Mail are all excellent options for secure, feature-rich business email services.
Keep in mind that every business has different needs, so it’s important to compare features and find an email client that offers everything you need. Features like large file attachments, built-in storage, and document editing tools can help business owners.
Does Hotmail still exist?
If you’ve been around since the internet became widespread, you’re probably familiar with Hotmail. However, you might be wondering if Hotmail still exists. Although Hotmail itself no longer exists as a brand or organization, it has rebranded itself as one of the most popular email platforms on the planet: Outlook. Outlook is today what Hotmail tried to be in the mid-1990s.
Although the original Hotmail platform no longer exists, Microsoft Outlook is now one of the leading email service providers, competing directly with Google’s Gmail for the top spot. Those interested can sign up for a free email account with Microsoft Outlook in just a few minutes.
What security features should I look for in an email service provider?
Choosing the best email service providers can be overwhelming, with so many different platforms and solutions available online. However, if security is your top concern, there are some features you should look for in your next email service provider, such as:
- 2FA: Two-factor authentication is becoming increasingly common on most digital platforms today.
- Spam Management: Do you want to minimize the risk of receiving potentially harmful files, such as malware and viruses? If so, it’s essential to find an email service provider with robust spam management, filters, and protection.
Make your emails look good across different service providers
There are several email clients on the market, but it’s important to know the most popular ones so you can design a fantastic-looking and responsive email. Some of the best email service providers are Gmail, Outlook, and Proton Mail. If you’re designing for the most popular clients, your emails should be accessible and readable. A/B testing is also an important part of ensuring your emails look good across multiple clients.
With Mailchimp, it’s easy to get the most out of your inbox. Mailchimp simplifies email marketing and automation for businesses, and you can use Inbox Preview to see how your email will look with different email service providers. Try Mailchimp today to see how your emails will appear in AOL, Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo!, and more.
