Postal services: the best and most reliable

Gmail There is a free plan We use this service at Startpack and recommend it

(58 reviews)
Official website

Free email from Google. Offers access to mailboxes via a web interface and POP3, SMTP and IMAP protocols. From it you can access all Google services.

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The best mail. 10 most popular free services for receiving and sending mail

Gmail

https://gmail.com

Google mail service

One of the most stable and reliable email services

Key features: Integrated cloud file storage of 15 GB (but Gmail shares it with Google Photo, Google Drive and other services that are part of a Google account) One of the best algorithms for identifying and filtering spam Stable and reliable operation around the clock, with virtually no glitches A simple but cleverly designed interface, convenient search for letters, message fragments. All messages are automatically divided into categories, such as “Main”, “Advertising”, “Forums”, etc. Thoughtful protection of the confidentiality of personal information

POP and IMAP standards give Gmail access to any email program and device. Gmail places contextual ads next to read emails.

Yandex Mail

https://mail.yandex.ru

Yandex mail service

Convenient and reliable mail.

Main features:

The service is equipped with an integrated anti-virus service from Dr.Web. Can translate letters from foreign languages ​​into Russian.

Main features: unlimited box volume; panel for managing other mailboxes; access from any device (tablets, smartphones, laptops); built-in organizer; a set of tools for processing letters (design, editing, checking).

Yandex.Mail can function as a full IMAP client.

Mail.ru

https://mail.ru/

Mail.ru mail service

Main features: good speed: the service executes user commands in a split second; convenient interaction with remote file storage “Cloud”: the capacity of the personal disk can be 100 GB; convenient marking of incoming messages; the presence of a multi-profile operating mode (the ability to simultaneously work with several boxes); support for sending “heavy” files; processing of downloaded images (size adjustment, viewing); grouping messages into threads

Outlook.com

https://outlook.com

Microsoft mail service

Provides many opportunities, especially for working in Microsoft Office. A good option for an office worker. This is a simple service, but in terms of functionality it is not inferior to Gmail. Key features: Free 15 GB storage is provided (but it is shared between Office and OneCloud and other Microsoft services) Synchronization with other storages is provided. All important messages are automatically highlighted and collected in one folder. Invitations and event messages can sync with your calendar. There's built-in support for Skype, as well as access to Evernote, PayPal, GIPHY, Yelp, Uber, and more.

Outlook.com can also offer you help when composing a letter

Yahoo! Mail

https://mail.yahoo.com

Mail service of Yahoo!

The service's interface is reminiscent of Gmail, but the functionality is more modest. But there are relevant additions. Main features: There is a convenient filter for messages. Synchronization with Facebook is provided. Import contacts from other services, such as Facebook, Gmail, Outlook, etc. Paid storage of 1 TB is available. Support for other email accounts that support IMAP or POP standards. integration with Dropbox cloud storage.

In terms of functionality, Yahoo is inferior to Gmail and Outlook. At the same time, use Yahoo! very convenient: free form tagging and smart folders, spam cleaning filter works efficiently

iCloud Mail

https://www.icloud.com/mail

Apple's email service

iCloud Mail is Apple's free email with extensive storage, IMAP access and an interesting, functional web application.

With iCloud Mail email, you can not only access your emails from any of your Apple devices, but you can also manage calendars and contacts and sync information. If you receive an email, it will be immediately available on all your devices

However, the iCloud.com interface does not offer shortcuts or other functions for productivity or writing organization, and this service does not support access to other electronic service accounts. There is also no access to POP in iСloud.com.

Zoho Mail

https://www.zoho.com/mail/

Business-oriented email service

Zoho Mail offers an online office suite, document management and many collaboration tools and other add-ons that will be useful for corporate use.

Key features: simultaneously supports up to 25 users in one domain, each of them has their own mailbox with 5 GB of storage offers online office packages

Zoho Mail is designed for professional users to help them distribute emails by identifying key messages and contacts and sending templates of frequently used responses.

Rambler.ru

https://mail.rambler.ru

Rambler mail service

A simple and intuitive service for working with mail. However, the service cannot seriously compete with Gmail, Yandex Mail and Mail.ru. It is less functional, the security issue remains open, and the settings for serious work with a large volume of correspondence are clearly not enough. The volume for storing letters is relatively small - the box is intended for individual use and Rambler mail cannot offer anything to corporate clients.

Main advantages - quick registration and ease of management - quick viewing of images: scrolling through a photo in one motion - ability to collect mail from other services (Mail.ru, Yandex.Mail, Gmail, Qip.ru, Outlook)

You can log in to Rambler mail through profiles on the social networks VKontakte, Facebook, LiveJournal.

Inbox.com

https://www.inbox.com/

Service developed by the Gmail team

Inbox is "a completely different type of inbox designed to focus on what really matters." (phrase from the official Gmail blog).

The web service, as well as mobile apps for Android and iOS, Inbox aims to improve productivity and email organization with several key features. Bundles group emails with the same topic together, highlight key details from messages, and reminders help users monitor when certain information appears. Inbox will help you keep everything under control and focus on what's important.

For the convenience of users, similar messages are grouped into categories, and the most important messages are displayed immediately. You can save any email until later and create a reminder for every task. With Inbox.com cloud storage, there is no need to delete emails to save space.

AIM Mail

https://webmail.aol.com/

Mail service of AOL (American media conglomerate)

AIM Mail (AOL Instant Messenger) is known as a free email service with unlimited online storage, very good spam protection, and a rich, easy-to-use interface.

AIM Mail has anti-spam protection and robust security features. The rich interface makes AIM Mail easy to use and integrates calendar, chat and social networks. AIM Mail offers unlimited online email storage and POP or IMAP access.

There is an AIM panel with a complete list of friends, as well as built-in widgets that show the presence of friends online, as well as shortcut links to popular websites that sponsor AOL Instant Messenger. However, AIM Mail does have a slight productivity shortcoming (no shortcuts, no smart folders, and no commentary on text messages related to the same topic or issue), but some of these gaps are made up by very functional IMAP and POP access.

Gmail for Business

Self-hosted Gmail email is an integral part of the Google Apps suite of business applications. Users have access to all the benefits of the Google email service : thanks to 25 GB of storage, you don’t have to delete messages, a powerful search engine will help you find anything, and threads, shortcuts and filters will allow you to conveniently organize correspondence.

Gmail works on any connected computer or mobile device , and offline support allows you to work with mail even when there is no connection; No matter where you are, your email will always be at your fingertips. Another big plus is built-in text, voice and video chat.

Gmail mobile apps are available for Android, iOS, BlackBerry and Windows Phone devices; On other mobile devices, you can work with mail through a web browser. It is important that the administrator can choose a mobile device management policy aimed at ensuring information security . For example, it is possible to remotely erase data from a lost or stolen device, set a password and requirements for its strength, and much more.

Other useful features include a built-in translator : when you receive an email in an unfamiliar language, you can translate it with one click. Gmail also allows you to delegate access to your mailbox to another user: in this case, he will be able to read, send and communicate messages on your behalf.

It is also worth noting Google's efforts to ensure the security and reliability of its email service. Gmail features two-factor authentication, the ability to view attachments in the browser, parallel storage of copies of emails, and built-in disaster recovery, a spam filter, and sender authentication.

But the main advantage of the corporate version of the Gmail email service is its integration with other convenient products for business. For example, shared calendars make it easy to find out when a colleague is free. When creating an event, the calendar will even suggest a time that is convenient for all participants. All documents are stored in the cloud, and you can edit them simultaneously with colleagues.

And with the advent of the new group video chat service Google Hangouts, it has become possible to communicate with colleagues located on another continent, just as if they were next to you. Currently, up to 15 people can participate in video meetings at the same time. You can join a video meeting directly from your email. You can also collaborate on documents in Hangouts.

A 30-day trial of Google Apps for Business is available for free. Going forward, the application package for corporate users will cost $50 per person per year. This amount includes a 25 GB mailbox, 5 GB Disk space, 24/7 technical support and a 99.9% uptime guarantee. Google Apps for Business with Vault (version with advanced security features and provision of electronic documents) will cost twice as much.

Let us remind you that initially the Google Apps service was free for companies with fewer than fifty employees. But in the spring of 2011, Google began charging fees to organizations with more than ten employees. And since December 2012, everyone has to pay, regardless of the number of employees.

Today, Google Apps solutions are used by more than 5 million companies. By the way, Google Apps doesn't only exist in a business version; There are similar application packages, for example, for government agencies and educational institutions. By the way, for the latter, all the features of Google Apps are available completely free of charge.

Temporary mail

Sometimes you have to register on some site that you plan to visit only once or twice. Without this, you cannot access the information or file you need. But after registering, you discover that your mailbox is full of spam, advertising and other nonsense. You can spend time unsubscribing from notifications and setting up filtering, but it’s easier to use a temporary email address.

Dropmail

The address is valid indefinitely, but only until the user refreshes the page. But even if you accidentally closed a tab or pressed F5, don’t worry. The service makes it possible to return access to previous addresses:

1. Manually select from the last 20 addresses used.
2. Recover using login and password.

Pros:

• Unlimited number of disposable boxes.
• Possibility of restoring access.
• Forwarding incoming messages to another address.
• Multilingual.
• Bots for Telegram and Viber.

Minuses:

• You cannot send messages.
• Incoming messages from all addresses go into one folder.
• The address is tied to the browser tab.
• Blocked by most filters.

Crazymailing

To access full functionality, you will have to register using any social network: Twitter, VK, Google+. After this, in addition to temporary mail, you will be able to send messages and use up to 10 emails at the same time. Each address has an individual validity period and message folders. An ordinary user can add 10 minutes per click, a registered user can add 30 minutes. The email service does not limit the maximum time.

Pros:

• Unlimited extension of validity period.
• Sending messages.
• Forwarding letters to real email.
• Support for Russian and English languages.
• Extension for Google Chrome.
• 10 addresses per 1 account.

Minuses:

• Full functionality only after registration.
• Mail cannot be restored.
• Messages are sent with a long delay.
• The maximum size of a sent file is 10 megabytes.

Mohmal

You can choose a random name or come up with one yourself. This allows you to give other people an address that does not consist of random letters and numbers. The duration of action is static - 46 minutes, which can be reset to the original value any number of times.

Pros:

• Selecting an email name.
• Multilingual.
• Ergonomic design.

Minuses:

• No additional mailboxes.
• No forwarding.
• It is necessary to constantly extend the time.

Minuteinbox

The best email service among temporary ones, if you know English at least at a basic level. The main feature is user customization of operating time.

In theory, this box can be used as a permanent one, if the validity period is updated once a month. Each incoming message can be downloaded to your computer and opened with any email program: Microsoft Outlook, The Bat!, Lotus Notes, and so on.

Pros:

• Long duration of action.
• User-friendly interface.

Minuses:

• Russian language is missing.
• No forwarding.

Impressions from using the services

To compile such a review, we had to test each of the listed services. The vast majority of functions are the same for all services, but there are also some that stand out or, conversely, repel. They are the ones that will be listed below.

Unisender

Main advantages:

• Nice and modern design
• Large selection of templates
• Simple and intuitive interface
• Integration with all popular CMS and CRM
• Excellent technical support: they respond quickly and to the point
• RSS feed
• Quick SMS sending function: enter your phone number, message and click “Send”
• Function of sending a message by event (currently in beta version)

Flaws:

• After registration, an email with a confirmation link did not arrive for a long time (about 2 hours), although it was promised that the message would arrive within 5 minutes (however, perhaps the problem is not in the service, but in my email client)

• You must enter too much personal information to start your free trial

• API integration requires your own programmer; the service does not provide such a service.

General impressions: I liked the service for its simplicity and high functionality.

Mailchimp

Main advantages:

• Reliability
• Constant updates
• More than 700 (!) integrations
• Adaptive design
• Automatic posting to social networks
• Automatic distribution of new posts from RSS
• Accounting for time zones
• Viewing information from user social network profiles

Flaws:

• Interface and technical support in English
• High price

General impressions: we have been using the service for more than two years. Never let me down. Everyone is happy.

Mail service is the best assistant in email marketing

Before you launch mailings through an email service, you need to decide on the goals and objectives that you want to achieve.

• Decide on your audience. Who are you going to send emails to: new clients, current customers, partners?
• Set goals. Do you want readers to follow your links in your message to subscribe, register, or buy?
• Select a form. You can send news features, various reminders (for example, about an upcoming sale), special offers about discounts and promotions, or invitations (for example, to take part in a survey or support the site in a competition).
• Define metrics to measure performance. To determine whether the newsletter has brought the desired result, it is better to immediately set indicators: how many of those who received the letter should click or follow the link, how many should register on the site or make a purchase.

How to create a subscriber base for email newsletters?

It all starts with installing an email service form on your website. It is better to place it in a prominent place and on all pages of the site. To encourage site visitors to leave their addresses, you can give a subscription bonus in the form of a free e-book or a discount on purchase, for example.

You can also increase your subscriber base by participating in offline events (festivals, exhibitions, seminars). You can use additional online opportunities: hold a webinar, post a thematic report or e-book, or agree on an affiliate mailing list.

Despite the presence of offers to purchase subscribers, it is better to avoid such methods of replenishing your database. Firstly, you will not be able to assess the quality of addresses. Secondly, you can worsen the perception of your brand because... the owners have not given their permission to be added to your mailing lists.

START COLLECTING A SUBSCRIBER BASE AS SOON AS YOU HAVE CREATED YOUR WEBSITE!

For more information about the importance of quickly creating a subscriber base for business development and increasing sales, as well as how to step-by-step create a system for collecting subscriptions, read the article “Email newsletter: how to collect a subscriber base?”

About subjectivity in comparing mailing services

This review, like any other reviews, is very subjective. No matter how hard you try to objectify the information, you will always encounter a contradiction:

1. A high-quality review cannot be written by a person who has no real experience working with the service; conditionally objective reviews based on clear criteria are written by people who have no experience with services (perhaps even with none of them).
2. A specialist who has real experience and knows what is important and what is not physically cannot study in equal detail all the services he writes about. Even if there is such a task, everything ends with the first problem, which is more convenient to solve with another, more familiar service. But this does not mean that the same problem cannot be solved in another service, even if it is more difficult.

Important! At the end of the article there will be a table comparing email marketing services according to several criteria.

Before this, I will only consider the special, mostly unique characteristics of services.

Safety system

A high-quality email service must have functions and mechanisms that can ensure the confidentiality of personal correspondence and protection from scammers and hackers.

• Gmail makes it very difficult for attackers to intercept your data by using a secure HTTPS connection. You can additionally protect yourself from unauthorized access to your account by enabling double authorization. To do this, you need to specify your phone number in the settings, where you will receive a code that will need to be additionally entered during authorization. Of course, this will not protect against information leakage through applications, but you will not have to worry about keyloggers and Trojans.

• Yandex Mail provides quite a few methods for protecting accounts. In addition to classic authorization, which requires a username and password, there is confirmation by mobile phone number, a backup mailbox through which you can restore access to the main one (in case an attacker broke in and changed the password). In addition to all of the above, there is an authorization log that saves all the email addresses from which you accessed the mail.

• Mail.ru, as it might seem at first glance, is protected well - data encryption is used, letters and files sent to them are checked for the presence of malware by a utility from the famous Kaspersky. But the fact remains a fact. It is the mailboxes from this service that are most often hacked and end up in various types of spam databases. Draw your own conclusions.

What is email - capabilities and purpose

Perhaps we should start with history. Despite the fact that the first Internet mail service appeared only in the mid-90s, the technology for sending emails itself dates back to the mid-60s of the last millennium.

It's hard to imagine that e. mail appeared long before the birth of the Internet (in the guise as we see it now), even if at the initial stage letters could only be sent within one computer.

Email is a modern technology that allows you to send a message (text or file: photo, document) to another person over a computer network.

If in everyday life in Western countries email. It is customary to call mail only “Email”; previously it was “E-mail”; until in 2011 the media recommended not to put a hyphen, then for Russian users the whole range of derivatives from these words is suitable:

• “Soap”, “Chalk” - came from the foreign “Mail”.
• “Email”, “Mail” - this is how the transcription from English is pronounced.
• “Email”, “E-mail” or “Email” is a transliteration into Russian from English.
• “Electronka” is an abbreviation for internet electronic mail.

According to the principle of operation, e-mail completely repeats the work of traditional mail itself, when an uncle with a bag on his shoulder brings a paper letter to your home.

Therefore, it is not surprising that the terminology from offline mail is also applicable to online services, where you can find the following words: inbox, mailbox, letter, attachment, delivery and others.