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Jason Ginsberg / 4.10.2023Home / Email Security
Four best Gmail alternatives—the ultimate guide
A suitable Gmail alternative should deliver everything the popular email service provides—and more. Our top reviews will help you make an informed decision.
According to recent data, the number of email users is predicted to reach 4.6 billion in the next two years. While Gmail has been the dominant email service provider (ESP) for many years, users have become increasingly aware of its vulnerabilities, prompting them to look for suitable alternatives.In this article, we mention the main reasons for switching from Gmail to other ESPs and review four Gmail alternatives according to features, pricing, and security practices. You’ll see the pros and cons of each option, so you can choose the one worth leaving the famous Big Tech provider for.
Source: Google WorkspaceGmail boasts over 1.8 billion users worldwide and owes its popularity to the ease of use, generous free plan, and numerous integration possibilities it offers.The famous email service provider’s interface is straightforward and easy to navigate, enabling users to organize their folders in a clear and transparent way. It is well-optimized for both mobile phones and computers, syncing information easily from every device.Large storage space (15 GB) is another major pro for the provider because it more than satisfies an average user’s needs. For users who like to collaborate and stay organized, Gmail is seamlessly integrated with Google Drive, Calendar, and Meet.While the above reasons seem like more than enough for sticking to the Big Tech giant, it’s important to be aware of the major drawbacks. One of the most significant ones is the lack of safety and privacy in online communication.Gmail, like most email services, offers encryption to safeguard users’ emails. Encryption entails converting message contents into cipher unreadable to anyone without a decryption key. Gmail offers its users two encryption protocols to protect their data while traveling between servers:
Source: Proton MailProton Mail is a provider focused on taking privacy to the next level with end-to-end encryption. A privacy-oriented email service with a free plan, an intuitive interface, and a comprehensive product suite makes for a suitable Gmail alternative.
Source:Tutanota.comTutanota ensures secure emailing with advanced EE2E and 2Factor Authentication available for all users. The user-friendly, minimalistic, and ad-free interface is an excellent choice for users who don’t want distractions.
Source:Skiff.comSkiff is a comprehensive E2EE Gmail replacement that offers users full ownership and control of their sensitive data. It’s the best alternative for users who want the design and ease of use of modern solutions combined with high-level security measures.
Enjoy the full email experienceSkiff offers a user-friendly interface, E2EE, and free access to additional encrypted products
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Gmail Overview—what are its strengths and weaknesses?
- Transport Layer Security (TLS)—available for all users
- Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME)—available for premium users
How to choose a Gmail alternative
Many services offer greater email security than Gmail, but that still doesn’t make them suitable replacements for the popular provider. Most privacy-oriented email services sacrifice ease of use or functionality for security, which is why the majority of users still choose Gmail and other mainstream providers over them.The good news is there are security-focused providers that deliver in all aspects that influence the overall experience.When selecting a Gmail alternative, you should look for:- Superior encryption standards
- Useful and affordable features
- Intuitive user interface
Access free encrypted productivity suiteA free Skiff Mail account gives your access to an encrypted cloud storage, calendar, and notes
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Choose first-class encryption standards
If you want to ensure the complete safety and privacy of your transferred data, choose an email service with end-to-end encryption (E2EE).E2EE provides the highest level of protection against unauthorized access. It entails encrypting emails at the device level, with the message remaining in the encrypted form until reaching the authorized recipient. The key is created by the recipient and stored safely on their device, ensuring no one else can access the content of your messages—not even the email service provider.All other types of encryption have vulnerabilities that don’t allow users full control of their data.Look for a feature-rich and affordable option
An alternative email service should provide a similar amount of free storage space to Gmail’s 15 GB. You should also look for helpful features within the service’s free plan that simplify the use, save time, and enable effortless organization of data. The advanced features should be available for an affordable price.Go for a service with a clean user interface
It's important to choose an email service that features a modern and intuitive interface, providing the same ease of use and convenience as widely known services like Gmail do.You may also look for an alternative with numerous customization options to tailor the email experience according to your preferences.Best alternatives for Gmail—breaking down the top competitors
Numerous new and well-known email providers have a unique set of features, security policies, and pricing plans, but these providers have lived up to the expectations of most users:- Proton Mail
- Tutanota
- Skiff
Proton Mail—privacy-first email service
Pros and cons
Proton Mail has a web, Android, and iOS app, which is convenient for users who use multiple devices every day. It is easy to set up, with the Easy Switch tool helping users import their emails and contacts from other providers in a few clicks. Another plus for functionality are integrations with the platform’s other end-to-end encrypted products—Drive, Calendar, and VPN.Proton Mail implements PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) encryption protocol to safeguard your online communication. The E2EE standard ensures your messages are safe from any unauthorized access, even by the provider. It further fortifies the security of your emails by implementing 2Factor Authentication and a no-logs policy. 2Factor Authentication provides an additional layer of security for your account, while a no-logs policy prevents the server from storing and analyzing data for the purpose of sending personalized ads.Proton Mail’s major disadvantage lies in the limited free plan offering up to 1 GB of storage and 150 messages a day. It is useful for testing a new email service but isn’t enough for an average user’s long-term needs. If you subscribe to the individual paid plan, you can get up to 500 GB of storage, 15 email addresses, and unlimited messages, along with additional features like auto-reply, catch-all emails, and unlimited labels. While that’s a significant improvement compared to the free plan, you can get much more space and features within some of the other services’ free plans.Proton Mail’s encryption protocols are not without faults either. The PGP standard, created more than 20 years ago, is considered by cryptography experts as outdated and full of vulnerabilities. Weaknesses of this particular encryption standard resulted in instances of hackers stealing the encryption keys and accessing private messages.Pricing
Along with the free plan, individuals can sign up for one of two plans:- Mail Plus—$5.42 a month for 12 months/$3.80 for 24 months
- Proton Unlimited—$10.86 a month for 12 months/ $8.70 for 24 months
| Pros | Cons |
| End-to-end encryption | Outdated PGP encryption standard |
| No-logs policy | Low free storage |
| A comprehensive product suite that includes Drive, Calendar, and VPN | . |
Tutanota—the user-friendly Gmail replacement
Pros and cons
Tutanota is a popular, free privacy-oriented email service. It uses AES-128 (Advanced Encryption Standard) and PFS (Perfect Forward Secrecy), advanced cryptographic protocols offering solid protection from unauthorized third parties. The platform takes your IP address off the email headers and offers metadata encryption, preventing IP-based attacks and metadata leaks.Tutanota is open source, meaning its encryption standard is public and open for reviews and feedback from independent contributors who can attest to its security.Users can enjoy the service's minimalistic user-friendly interface and customize it based on their preferences. Tutanota is available for IOS, Android, and desktop computers, so you can use the service wherever you are.The downside is low storage space for free users. Tutanota offers only 1GB of storage for free, which isn't enough for an average user’s needs. For more storage, the user has to pay for a premium account or purchase extra storage ($2 for 10 GB).Tutanota offers numerous features, but you have to purchase most of them as add-ons. While this may not be a deal-breaker for some, users with greater needs may find the service more expensive than anticipated.Another possible drawback is the fact that Tutanota is based in Germany, which is part of the so-called 14 Eyes countries—an international partnership of countries that share intelligence among members. Tutanota has disproved all possibilities of authorities accessing users’ plaintext emails, so that concern can be put to rest.Pricing
Along with the free plan, users can sign up for one of the two paid plans:- Premium—$1.30 a month/$1.9 for an annual commitment
- Teams— $5 a month/$4.35 for an annual commitment
| Pros | Cons |
| Advanced EE2E for all users | Low storage for free users |
| Customizable user interface | Users have to purchase most features as add-ons |
| Available for IOS, Android, and desktop computers | . |
Skiff—the safest Gmail alternative
Pros and cons
Skiff Mail uses the latest E2EE technology with two separate encryption keys (public and private). The public key is used for encryption and gets shared among users, while the private (decryption) key is created by the recipient and stored on their device. With the decryption key never leaving the user’s device, the chance of an email service provider or unauthorized third party accessing it is virtually zero.Skiff offers additional security protocols such as zero-knowledge login, which doesn’t require you to give your login info to the server, and 2FA for preventing anyone with access to your password from entering your account. The service is open source, and you can check the public whitepaper to confirm its security practices.Unlike most other email service providers, Skiff doesn’t cut down on additional features, storage, or design for the sake of security. Skiff's modern and intuitive interface can rival Gmail’s in terms of simplicity and ease of use.Advanced features are not reserved for paid customers, but all users can enjoy them for free. The generous free plan includes:
- 10 GB storage
- 4 Skiff.com aliases
- Email search option
- Auto reply
- Schedule and undo send
Products
By signing up for Skiff Mail, you get free access to the other end-to-end encrypted products, such as:- Skiff Pages—enables you to collaborate with your team and edit and create documents in real time
- Skiff Drive—allows you to safely store all types of files
- Skiff Calendar—syncs with Skiff Mail and lets you schedule events in a safe environment
Pricing
Along with the free plan, users can sign up for one of two affordable paid plans:- Essential—$3
- Pro—$8
- Business—$12
Try out Skiff Mail for free and take full control of your data
Sign up for a free Skiff account with three steps:- Go to the signup page
- Create a Skiff account
- Start using the full-encrypted product suite on your mobile or desktop computer
