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Free Gmail alternatives

Top Email Clients & Providers like Gmail

The most popular alternative to Gmail is Microsoft Outlook, which has a free version. Other great alternatives to Gmail are Proton Mail, Zoho Mail, Tuta, and Spark.

Most alternatives to Gmail are in the Email Clients & Providers category, compared here by price, platform and features.

Gmail alternatives
AllFreeOpen source
9 apps

All Gmail alternatives

  1. Microsoft Outlook

    4.8(9.3M) · App Store

    Microsoft Outlook is an email and calendar app available on Windows, Mac, mobile and the web, used with Outlook.com, Exchange and Microsoft 365 accounts as well as Gmail and other IMAP services. It combines mail with calendars, contacts and tasks, supports shared mailboxes and scheduled sending, and integrates with Teams for meetings. Copilot can draft replies and summarize threads on eligible plans.

    12 Microsoft Outlook alternatives

    Pros

    • Email, calendar, contacts and tasks in one app
    • Shared mailboxes and Teams integration for businesses
    • Available on Windows, Mac, mobile and the web

    Cons

    • The move from classic to new Outlook on Windows has been disruptive
    • Free Outlook.com accounts show ads
    • Copilot features require an eligible paid plan
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Email Clients & ProvidersScheduling & Calendars
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMaciPhoneAndroid
    Features
    AI assistantCalendar viewIntegrationsOffline modeSend laterShared inbox
    Visit websiteMore about Microsoft Outlook

  2. Proton Mail

    4.8(48.7K) · App Store

    Proton Mail is an end-to-end encrypted email service based in Switzerland. Messages between Proton users are encrypted automatically, emails to others can be password-protected, and stored mail uses zero-access encryption so Proton cannot read it. Its apps are open source, paid plans add custom domains and more addresses, and it is part of a suite with Proton Calendar, Drive, VPN and Pass.

    9 Proton Mail alternatives

    Pros

    • End-to-end and zero-access encryption protect stored mail
    • Based in Switzerland, with open source apps
    • Part of a suite with Proton Calendar, Drive, VPN and Pass

    Cons

    • Free plan is tight on storage and addresses
    • Using IMAP clients requires Proton Mail Bridge and a paid plan
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source
    Categories
    Email Clients & Providers
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMacLinuxiPhoneAndroid
    Features
    Custom email domainEmail aliasesEnd-to-end encryptionSend laterTracker blockingTwo-factor authentication
    Visit websiteMore about Proton Mail

  3. Zoho Mail

    4.6(8K) · App Store

    Zoho Mail is an ad-free business email service from Zoho that hosts mailboxes on your own domain, with calendar, contacts, tasks and notes included. Admins get a control panel for users, security policies and retention, and the service integrates with Zoho's office, CRM and collaboration apps through Zoho Workplace. A free plan is available for small teams, with paid plans adding more storage and features.

    8 Zoho Mail alternatives

    Pros

    • Ad-free business email on your own domain, with a free plan
    • Admin console for users, security policies and retention
    • Integrates with Zoho’s office, CRM and collaboration apps

    Cons

    • Free plan lacks IMAP and POP access for desktop clients
    • Interface feels less polished than Gmail or Outlook
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Email Clients & Providers
    Platforms
    WebiPhoneAndroid
    Features
    Ad-freeCalendar viewCustom email domainIntegrationsTwo-factor authentication
    Visit websiteMore about Zoho Mail

  4. Tuta

    4.7(3.7K) · App Store

    Tuta, formerly Tutanota, is an open-source encrypted email and calendar service based in Germany. It encrypts mailbox contents end to end, including subject lines and contacts, and uses post-quantum cryptography for new accounts. Because it relies on its own encryption, it works through Tuta's apps rather than IMAP clients. A free plan exists, and paid plans add custom domains and more aliases.

    7 Tuta alternatives

    Pros

    • Encrypts subjects and contacts, not just message bodies
    • Post-quantum cryptography for new accounts
    • Open source apps and a free plan, with servers in Germany

    Cons

    • No IMAP support, so you must use Tuta’s own apps
    • Free plan is limited in storage and features
    • Fewer integrations and features than mainstream providers
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source
    Categories
    Email Clients & Providers
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMacLinuxiPhoneAndroid
    Features
    Calendar viewCustom email domainEmail aliasesEnd-to-end encryptionGDPR compliant
    Visit websiteMore about Tuta

  5. Spark

    4.6(82.7K) · App Store

    Spark is an email client from Readdle that works with Gmail, Outlook, iCloud and other IMAP accounts on Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android. Its smart inbox separates personal mail, notifications and newsletters, and it supports send later, snoozing, a gatekeeper for new senders and AI writing help. Teams can share email threads, comment on them privately and draft replies together.

    11 Spark alternatives

    Pros

    • Smart inbox separates personal mail, notifications and newsletters
    • Shared threads and private comments for team email
    • Gatekeeper screens new senders before they reach the inbox

    Cons

    • Sync relies on Readdle’s servers, which raises privacy questions
    • AI and team features require a paid plan
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Email Clients & Providers
    Platforms
    WindowsMaciPhoneAndroid
    Features
    AI assistantSend laterTeam collaborationUnified inbox
    Visit websiteMore about Spark

  6. Apple Mail

    Apple Mail is the email app included with macOS, iOS and iPadOS, supporting iCloud, Gmail, Exchange and other IMAP accounts in a unified inbox. It offers send later, follow-up reminders, smart search and Mail Privacy Protection, which hides your IP address and stops senders from seeing when you open messages. With iCloud+, Hide My Email creates random addresses that forward to your inbox.

    9 Apple Mail alternatives

    Pros

    • Free and preinstalled on Mac, iPhone and iPad
    • Mail Privacy Protection hides your IP and blocks open tracking
    • Unified inbox for iCloud, Gmail, Exchange and IMAP accounts

    Cons

    • Only available on Apple devices
    • Few power-user features or extensions compared with dedicated clients
    • Hide My Email requires an iCloud+ subscription
    Cost / License
    FreeProprietary
    Categories
    Email Clients & Providers
    Platforms
    MaciPhone
    Features
    Ad-freeEmail aliasesSend laterTracker blockingUnified inbox
    Visit websiteMore about Apple Mail

  7. Thunderbird

    Thunderbird is a free and open-source email client for Windows, macOS and Linux, with an Android app based on K-9 Mail. It manages multiple accounts in a unified inbox and includes a calendar, address book, chat and built-in OpenPGP encryption. Add-ons and themes customize it extensively, and it is developed by MZLA Technologies, a Mozilla Foundation subsidiary funded by user donations.

    9 Thunderbird alternatives

    Pros

    • Free and open source, funded by donations rather than ads
    • Built-in OpenPGP encryption, calendar and address book
    • Highly customizable with add-ons and themes

    Cons

    • Interface feels busier than minimalist modern clients
    • Getting the most out of it takes some setup and add-ons
    Cost / License
    FreeOpen source
    Categories
    Email Clients & Providers
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinuxAndroid
    Features
    Ad-freeCalendar viewEnd-to-end encryptionOffline modePlugins & extensionsUnified inbox
    Visit websiteMore about Thunderbird

  8. eM Client

    eM Client is a desktop email client for Windows and macOS that brings email, calendar, tasks, contacts and notes together in one app. It works with Gmail, Exchange, Microsoft 365, iCloud and IMAP accounts, and includes built-in PGP encryption, snoozing, send later and quick templates. A free version is available for personal use with a limited number of accounts, and the Pro license unlocks the rest.

    7 eM Client alternatives

    Pros

    • Email, calendar, tasks, contacts and notes in one desktop app
    • Built-in PGP encryption without extra plugins
    • Works with Gmail, Exchange, Microsoft 365, iCloud and IMAP

    Cons

    • Free version is for personal use with a limited number of accounts
    • No Linux version, only Windows and Mac
    • Interface can feel dense because of its many features
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Email Clients & Providers
    Platforms
    WindowsMac
    Features
    Calendar viewEnd-to-end encryptionSend laterTemplatesUnified inbox
    Visit websiteMore about eM Client

  9. Mailspring

    17.9Kstars

    Mailspring is a free, open-source desktop email client for Windows, macOS and Linux that works with Gmail, Office 365, iCloud and any IMAP account. It offers a unified inbox, fast search, themes and templates, and runs its mail sync engine locally rather than in the cloud. An optional Pro subscription adds read receipts, link tracking, send later and reminders.

    7 Mailspring alternatives

    Pros

    • Free and open source on Windows, Mac and Linux
    • Sync engine runs locally rather than through a cloud service
    • Unified inbox, themes and templates in a clean interface

    Cons

    • Send later, reminders and read receipts require Pro
    • A Mailspring ID account is required even for the free version
    • No mobile apps to go with the desktop client
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source
    Categories
    Email Clients & Providers
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinux
    Features
    Dark modeEmail trackingSend laterTemplatesUnified inbox
    Visit websiteMore about Mailspring

Gmail vs its alternatives at a glance

Pricing, platforms and the key features of Gmail, compared with its most popular alternatives.

Gmail vs its alternatives at a glance
AppPricingPlatformsAI assistantCustom email domainOffline modeSend laterTwo-factor authentication
GmailFreemiumWeb, iPhone, Android
Microsoft OutlookFreemiumWeb, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android
Proton MailFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android
Zoho MailFreemiumWeb, iPhone, Android
TutaFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android
SparkFreemiumWindows, Mac, iPhone, Android

Gmail alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Gmail?

The most popular alternative to Gmail is Microsoft Outlook: Email, calendar and contacts from Microsoft. Other great alternatives are Proton Mail, Zoho Mail, Tuta, and Spark.

Is there a free alternative to Gmail?

Yes, 9 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including Microsoft Outlook, Proton Mail, Zoho Mail, and Tuta.

Is there an open source alternative to Gmail?

Yes, 4 open source alternatives are listed, including Proton Mail, Tuta, Thunderbird, and Mailspring.

Is Gmail free?

Gmail has a free plan, with paid plans that unlock more features.

Compare Gmail with its alternatives

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