The best free email services, compared
Every big free email service is reliable. The differences are storage, privacy and how well each fits the phone and apps you already use.
Gmail is the best all-rounder (15 GB, shared with Google Drive and Photos). Outlook.com is best for Microsoft users (15 GB of mail). Proton Mail is best for privacy. iCloud Mail suits iPhone users. Zoho Mail's free plan is the best free option if you want to use your own domain.
Free email services compared
| Service | Free storage | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Gmail | 15 GB, shared with Drive and Photos | Most people; best search and spam filter |
| Outlook.com | 15 GB mail + 5 GB OneDrive | Windows and Office users |
| Yahoo Mail | 20 GB (cut from 1 TB) | Long-time Yahoo users |
| iCloud Mail | 5 GB, shared with all of iCloud | iPhone and Mac users |
| Proton Mail Free | 500 MB to start (1 GB after setup) | Privacy, encryption |
| Zoho Mail Free | 5 GB per user, up to 5 users | Free email on your own domain |
| GMX | Up to 65 GB | Lots of storage |
| Tuta Free | 1 GB, encrypted | Privacy |
Storage figures were checked on each provider's pages in October 2026. Yahoo's change to 20 GB is being rolled out by region.
Gmail
The safe default: excellent search and spam filtering, and it works everywhere. The catch is that your 15 GB is shared with Google Drive and Google Photos, so a phone backing up photos can fill it. Attachments up to 25 MB; bigger files go as Drive links.
Outlook.com
A strong second choice with a clean inbox, a built-in calendar and 15 GB just for mail. Attachments up to 25 MB, or larger via OneDrive. With Microsoft 365 Personal or Family, the mailbox can grow up to 100 GB.
Yahoo Mail
Still free and familiar, but Yahoo has reduced free storage to 20 GB (15 GB in the UK) from the old 1 TB.
Proton Mail and Tuta (privacy)
Both encrypt your mailbox so even the provider cannot read it. Free plans are small (Proton: one address, limited daily sending; Tuta: 1 GB), and features like your own domain are paid.
Want your own domain for free?
Free services give you an address like [email protected]. To use [email protected] without paying for email, see free email with your own domain, or for a full business setup, how to make a business email.
Questions people ask
- Which free email has the most storage?
- GMX advertises up to 65 GB. Among the big names, Yahoo now offers 20 GB, and Gmail and Outlook.com 15 GB.
- Which free email is most private?
- Proton Mail and Tuta, which encrypt your messages so the provider cannot read them.
- Is Gmail or Outlook better?
- Both are excellent. Gmail has better search; Outlook.com gives you 15 GB for mail alone. Pick the one that matches the other apps you use.
Sending one email to a whole list? Check the addresses first with Veml, which removes bad and risky emails before you hit send. (Veml and EmailNa have the same owner.)