Google Hangouts, available from your inbox's left sidebar (or the right - you can customize how your inbox is displayed), lets you text and video chat with other Gmail users for the things that might not warrant an email message. Since it’s built into Google Workspace (formerly G Suite), you can also access a group of free apps that allow you to chat, video conference, and share files with the people in your contact list. Gmail is a regular email inbox tool you can access once you have a Google account. Ironically, one of the reasons Gmail has become so popular is because of all the communication options in your inbox that don't involve email. According to Litmus Labs, Gmail has the second-highest email provider market share (behind Apple iPhone's native email app). It might seem like an obvious top pick, but Gmail is just too versatile not to get our first slot. Who should use it: Anyone who already uses and loves the rest of Google's products. Unique Feature: Native File Collaboration Sign up here. Mozilla Thunderbird: Best for Managing Multiple Accounts.Outlook: Best for Multiple App Integrations.For each email service provider, we've highlighted a unique feature to help you find the best fit. Now, take a look at the best free email service providers (and the best email accounts for privacy) you can get your hands on today - both webmail and email clients included. Instead of an installed application fetching your email, you manage your inbox right from your internet browser.Įxamples of webmail providers include Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, and Hotmail.

Webmail is a form of email you access exclusively from the internet and therefore exists primarily on the cloud rather than your computer. To access this email, the client interacts with a remote email server.Įmail clients you've likely heard of include Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird, and Apple Mail. What are email clients?Įmail clients are software applications you install onto your computer to manage the email you send and receive. Let's briefly go over these different types of providers. There are two main types of email service providers to choose from: Email clients and webmail.

To help make your search easier, we put together a list of the different types of email accounts you can set up, followed by the best email service providers you can host your account on right now for free. It can be a challenge to find an email service provider at no cost that balances the right features with usability. And even the free ones might not be the easiest to use or have all the features you need. But unfortunately, not every email service is completely free. Even with the rise of office chat platforms, you still depend on email for a surprising number of things.

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