How to choose a new email provider
Tuta, Protonmail, Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, Posteo, Hushmail, Fastmail, Mailbox, Startmail, Riseup, GMX, Web.de - these are some of the best-known email providers, but their offers are very different. Which criteria matter most to you will depend on many factors. But, before you create an email account or migrate to a new email service, most likely you’ll need to take into account at least some of the following:
How easy is it to use? This can mean checking if the email clients are available on several devices and operating systems, and if it’s easy to migrate to this service. It’s also important to see whether the email experience is designed around users’ needs, or with the intent to maximize the company’s growth by displaying targeted advertisements.
What security features does it include? Is the mailbox fully encrypted, partially encrypted or not encrypted at all? Does it support two-factor authentication to protect your login credentials?
What business features can you get? Does the provider support custom domains, customization with your company’s branding, integrations with other applications or more specialized features?
Is there a free email account option? What are the pricing plans and what is included at each tier? Is there a money back guarantee or a free trial?
How much storage do you get?
Is it open-source, partially open-source or closed-source? How frequently is it updated and audited?
How do the company’s practices and ethics align with your values?
What is the location of the company’s headquarters and its servers? You might prefer a provider that doesn’t host its data in a Five Eyes country(USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand). You might also want to avoid providers based in countries with anti-democratic regimes, where censorship and human rights violations are an issue. It’s also worth considering providers in countries with strong privacy protection legislation, including mandatory GDPR compliance.
Best email service
Gmail, Outlook, Zoho and Yahoo Mail are the oldest and most widely spread email services, with Gmail and Outlook being popular among business users. Hotmail used to be popular for free, personal accounts, and it’s still available now as a free version of Outlook. GMX and Web.de are the oldest and best known email providers in Germany. All of these are not privacy-first services. User data is collected and monetized, but they’re integrated by default with the widest range of services complementary to email. And, you can find add-ons that increase their privacy and security. Zoho mail is another option, not as well-known as Gmail or Yahoo, but more oriented towards security, even though that’s not its main focus.
See how they all compares to Tuta before creating a new email address:
Best secure email
Tuta Mail, Proton Mail, Posteo, Hushmail, Fastmail, Mailbox, Startmail and Riseup are popular encrypted, privacy-first email providers. If you’re looking to create a new email account from scratch or migrate from a legacy service, these are the more secure options.
Some of these secure email providers offer calendar, cloud storage or VPN in addition to email services. Like Tuta, Posteo and Mailbox are powered by 100% sustainable energy.
Find out more about the differences in features, security and privacy between these providers and Tuta and choose the best secure email for your needs.
Tutanota vs Outlook vs Protonmail vs Gmail vs Yahoo: Comparison of email services
Tuta Mail, Proton Mail, Gmail, Outlook & Yahoo are all email services used by millions of people around the world. For most, it is difficult to judge what is a good email service and what is not. That’s why this simple comparison shows the main differences between these email providers, particularly in regard to security, privacy and features.
| ENCRYPTION | Tuta Mail | Proton Mail | Gmail | Outlook | Yahoo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Encrypted transmission (TLS) | |||||
| End-to-end encrypted email storage | - | - | - | ||
| End-to-end encryption of all internal emails | - | - | - | ||
| Easy end-to-end encryption to external recipients | - | - | - | ||
| End-to-end encrypted storage of all contact details | - | - | - | - | |
| Encrypted email subject lines | - | - | - | - |
| SECURITY | Tuta Mail | Proton Mail | Gmail | Outlook | Yahoo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOTP for second factor authentication | - | ||||
| U2F for second factor authentication | - | - | |||
| No third party captcha | - | - | - | ||
| No-log policy | - | - | - | ||
| GDPR-compliant | - | - | - | ||
| Servers in Europe | - | - | - | ||
| No offices in the USA | - | - | - | - |
| BUSINESS FEATURES | Tuta Mail | Proton Mail | Gmail | Outlook | Yahoo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custom domains | - | ||||
| Unlimited custom domain email addresses | - | - | - | - | |
| Email alias addresses | |||||
| Inbox rules / smart filters | |||||
| Whitelabel customizations | - | - | |||
| Unlimited domains | - | - |
| FEATURES IN BASIC PAID ACCOUNT | Tuta Mail | Proton Mail | Gmail | Outlook | Yahoo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catch-all | - | - | |||
| Multi-user support | - | - | |||
| Encrypted calendar | - | - | - | - |
| USABILITY | Tuta Mail | Proton Mail | Gmail | Outlook | Yahoo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Server IMAP support | - | - | |||
| Offline support in mobile & desktop clients | - | - | - | - | |
| Zero-knowledge full-text search | - | - | - | - | |
| Access on any device | |||||
| Self-destructing emails | - | - | - | ||
| Conversation view | |||||
| Group send feature | |||||
| Own desktop clients | - | - | - | - | |
| Open Source Clients & Apps | - | - | - | ||
| App on F-Droid | - | - | - | - |
| FAIR & EASY | Tuta Mail | Proton Mail | Gmail | Outlook | Yahoo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free subscription | |||||
| Ad-free | - | - | - | ||
| Low starting price | - | - | - | - | |
| Eco-friendly | - | - | - | - | |
| Special offer for NPOs | - | - |
A better web
Secure
Tuta automatically encrypts all your data end-to-end with post-quantum cryptography which makes it the safest email provider.
This is the most secure email and calendar software that I've been able to find. they have super fast support that got me out of a big jam. Their paid tiers are well worth the money.
MARC DONI
This is hands down the best free privacy oriented email service out there. They genuinely care about the end users' privacy. The data they collect is next to nothing (if any) and provide a plethora of amazing services.
BRYCEN GUNTER
Secure email and a secure calendar. I didn't need 20GB of space but I wanted to pay to support this company. I also enjoyed the ability to have custom domain integration.
CHRIS L McCLISH
A fantastic app! Privacy is paramount with emails, contacts, and calendar information, which isn't used for advertising. I highly recommend it! The team is available and responsive to any issues, should they arise. Go for it without hesitation!
RAPHAËL CAUHÉPÉ-FRANÇOIS
It's hard to find a service that appeals to both privacy nerds and people who just need to get through their inbox asap, but they've nailed it. My data feels safer and the price is reasonable. I'd love to see them add an encrypted meetings feature in the future. Definitely worth the switch, don't think twice.
ROBERT
Green
We take our responsibility seriously and only use renewable energy to power your emails, calendars, and contacts.
Thanks for being a solid company, I'm very happy to have switched from Proton since Tuta handles several things (green energy, F-Droid app, Linux app) way better.
JEREMIAH
Green, genuinely cares about open source, and great service. Tuta doesn't depend on Google services at all, unlike others (Proton)
JERRY
Uses 100% renewable energy, open source, supports non-profits and schools, respects privacy, ad-free. Also offers nice phone and laptop apps. Just switched to a paid account to support the company though the free version is really good already on its own (I've used it for a year now). Definitely five stars!
TARKAN SCHNEIDER
A good alternative to the big players like Google/Microsoft if you care about privacy and want something more European.
OLAF VAN DE BELT
Thank you for respecting our privacy, at the same time thanks for being a green energy company.
DOGA EROL
Ad-free
We give you the freedom to communicate confidentially, without any tracking or personalized ads.
I formerly used Gmail for many years till I just got sick and tired of all the spam and ads. I've been using Tuta for around a year now, and not once have I received spam nor an intrusive ad. Tuta's free plan comes with plenty of space for the average person, and the app is incredibly easy to use. 100% recommend!
KIERAN LEE
Exactly what I was looking for. Independent of Big Tech. Great email program.
NORBERT
Why do I like it? Because the interface is simple and ad-free.
LAURENT OUTAN
Tuta is the best cost-benefit email service in the market. It has the same main features as most mail providers. The difference is that Tuta cares about your privacy and won't use your data against you, nor try to convince you to click on ads selling stuff you don't need.
FERNANDO SILVA
With the big tech companies scanning and using your email as a way to push advertisements, it's comforting to use something secure and, for lack of a better word, cool. You use email a lot right? You ought also know that free isn't really free, the price is for tech companies to get your info. I love Tuta.
CHRIS L McCLISH
Tuta - the email alternative that respects your right to privacy.
With its all-round end-to-end encryption and its clear focus on open source, Tuta is the best Outlook or Gmail alternative that excels in convenience, security, and privacy.
Unlike other providers, Tuta ensures that your business communications and private emails are shielded from prying eyes throughout their journey, from sender to recipient. This secure email platform not only safeguards your personal communications but also offers an ideal solution for businesses seeking a reliable and confidential business email account. With our end-to-end encryption and strict privacy measures, sensitive company information remains inaccessible to unauthorized parties. We are also the first and currently the only email provider that is working on encryption that can withstand quantum computing attacks.
Tuta offers seamless integration of custom domains, making it an optimal choice for individuals and businesses alike. Elevate your online presence and professionalism by easily setting up a custom domain with Tuta. Whether you're an entrepreneur, freelancer, or a larger enterprise, our custom domain feature allows you to maintain brand consistency in your email communications, all while benefiting from the platform's exceptional security measures.
We have developed dedicated desktop clients for Windows, Linux, and macOS, offering offline mode and conversation view as well. Paid plans include an unlimited number of zero-knowledge calendars, as well as more storage, additional email addresses, custom email domain support and dedicated support via email. In the near future, we will also launch a cloud file storage solution with the same security standards and encryption protocols.
This blend of advanced security, user-friendly convenience, and commitment to privacy positions Tuta as the ultimate choice for everyone seeking a Gmail alternative that prioritizes data protection and confidentiality.