You start looking for the best email service provider (ESP)—and suddenly you’re reading a list with Gmail, Yahoo, or ProtonMail at the top. The catch? These aren’t ESPs! They’re email providers.
In this post, I’ll break it all down — what email service providers actually do, how they differ from email providers, and which one makes the most sense for your needs. The first section lays the foundation, so I’d recommend reading through it before jumping ahead.
But if you’re looking to jump right in for a quick overview, head to:
Let’s get started!
Email service providers vs email providers
These terms get mixed up all the time, and it’s easy to see why. Both let you send emails and both are essential for communication. However, they serve entirely different purposes.
| Email service provider (ESP) | Email provider | |
| Purpose | Sending transactional, marketing, and bulk emails | Sending and receiving personal or business emails |
| Users | Businesses, developers, marketers | Individuals, teams, organizations |
| Key features | Automation, analytics, email testing, and deliverability tools | Email storage, spam filtering, security |
| Examples | Mailtrap, SendGrid, Brevo, Mailchimp, Mailjet | Gmail, Outlook, Hotmail, iCloud Mail, Proton Mail |
| Best for | Large-scale email communication | Everyday email use |
Picking the right one depends on what you need—high-volume email sending with analytics or just a reliable inbox for daily communication. Let’s take a closer look.
An email service provider is a platform that allows sending large volumes of different kinds of emails:
- transactional emails—action-triggered emails, such as password resets and order confirmations.
- marketing emails—promotional emails, e.g., newsletters, special deals, product updates, etc.
- broadcast emails—mass sending of the same email to many recipients.
Mailtrap, SendGrid, and Mailchimp are some examples of ESPs. You can read more about email service providers here.
Often, these platforms have separate interfaces for different teams. Developers handle transactional email setup, integrating the ESP with websites or apps, while marketers use the platform to manage email marketing campaigns and mass emailing.
For developers, ESPs offer APIs, SDKs, webhooks, and SMTP integration, which makes it easier to embed email functionality into websites and apps. They also provide detailed documentation, event tracking, and logging tools to help troubleshoot delivery issues.
For marketers, ESPs offer drag-and-drop email builders, campaign scheduling, audience segmentation, and A/B testing.
To help teams streamline email strategy and execution, ESPs have tools for automation, analytics, deliverability optimization, and compliance.
We have a detailed explanation of email service providers, their features, and the benefits for business in this dedicated guide.
An email provider (also called an inbox provider) is a service that offers email hosting and client access. It allows users to send, receive, and manage emails for personal and business communication, and provides them with email storage, spam filtering, and security features.
Gmail, Yahoo, and Proton Mail are examples of email providers.
Unlike ESPs, inbox providers don’t have analytics, email testing, automation, or advanced deliverability management features. You can find more on email providers in this section.
Best email service providers: a snapshot
Some ESPs work well for any business type and can handle all types of emails. Others are built for specific use cases or can send only one or two types of emails. We’ll take a look at both.
- Mailtrap is an email delivery platform great for dev and marketing teams to send transactional, marketing, and mass emails with a focus on high email deliverability and industry-best analytics.
- SendGrid is a scalable solution for high-volume senders that offers advanced marketing features like automation and personalization.
- Mailchimp is a popular ESP with built-in CRM and an easy-to-use interface.
- Mailgun is a developer-focused ESP with a clear API for building custom email workflows and integrations.
- Campaign Monitor is a user-friendly email marketing platform known for its intuitive drag-and-drop builder and robust analytics. It focuses on marketing emails and doesn’t support transactional messaging.
| ESP | Transactional emails | Marketing emails | Bulk emails | Free plan limits (emails per month/day) | Pricing (in USD $) |
| Mailtrap | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | 1,000 / 200 | 15 |
| SendGrid | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | 3,000 / 200 | 19.95 |
| Mailchimp | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | 1,000 / 500 | 20 |
| Mailgun | ✅ | ⛔* | ✅ | 3,000 / 100 | 15 |
| Campaign Monitor | ⛔ | ✅ | ✅ | 500 emails for the 30-day free trial | 12 |
* Mailgun allows sending marketing emails via its API with very limited functionality
Email service providers comparison criteria
Apart from a clear vision of your email needs, you also need to know what features to check and compare when looking for a solid email service provider. Let’s look at the most critical aspects:
Email infrastructure
A well-built email infrastructure ensures your emails are sent, delivered, and handled efficiently, regardless of volume. When evaluating ESPs, consider their:
- Email deliverability – how well an ESP processes and hands off emails to recipient servers. Many factors affect it, but at the very least, an ESP should offer dedicated IPs, authentication support (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and sender reputation monitoring.
- Reliability – a stable, well-maintained system that ensures emails are processed without delays, bounces, or outages. Most ESPs have a status page where you can track past incidents and current performance—worth checking before committing. Also, look for uptime guarantees, failover mechanisms, and redundancy measures to avoid disruptions.
- Scalability – the ability to handle growing email volumes without performance issues. Key factors to check include adaptive sending limits, load balancing, and API performance to ensure smooth scaling as your needs grow.
Pricing
When evaluating pricing, pay attention to:
- Pricing type – ESPs typically offer either fixed-tier pricing, where you pay for a set number of emails or features per month, or pay-as-you-go models, where costs depend on usage. Some email platforms charge per email sent, while others bundle features into different pricing tiers.
- Scaling costs – how pricing changes with sending volume and whether there are overage fees.
- Included features – check whether advanced features like dedicated IPs, analytics, or automation require additional payment or are only available in higher-tier plans.
- Free plan and its limits – a free plan lets you check the platform’s capabilities before paying full price. If a platform offers a free plan, check the restrictions on monthly emails, recipients, and features.
- High-volume discounts – some platforms offer enterprise plans or bulk pricing for large volume senders.
Transactional email sending
Not all ESPs support transactional emails—Campaign Monitor and Benchmark Email, for example, focus solely on marketing emails. If you need to send password resets, order confirmations, or account notifications via your app or website, make sure the ESP offers transactional email capabilities and check the following:
- SMTP / ready-made integrations – SMTP support ensures compatibility with various platforms, while pre-built integrations let you connect the ESP to your existing systems.
- Email API / SDKs – a well-documented API and SDKs in multiple programming languages make it easier to send transactional emails programmatically.
- Documentation – clear, up-to-date documentation speeds up implementation and troubleshooting. Look for code examples, setup guides, and detailed API references.
We’ve compared the 7 best transactional email services in our detailed guide—check it out to find the right solution for your needs.
Marketing and bulk email sending
To send marketing emails effectively, you’ll need a set of tools to streamline email design, increase engagement rates, and track and optimize performance. Here are the key features to look for:
- Analytics and reporting – insightful dashboards, reports, and real-time campaign analytics help you measure email effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
- Built in A/B testing features – allow you to test different aspects of your email, like subject lines, content variations, or send times, to see what works best.
- Segmentation and personalization – features like merge tags, dynamic content, and audience filters allow you to target specific audience groups for more precise messaging and higher engagement rates.
- Automation and drip campaigns – let you schedule and trigger email sequences based on user behavior, such as re-engagement emails, promotional follow-ups, and lead nurturing workflows.
Check out our dedicated guide, where we compare email marketing platforms and break down their features, pricing, and use cases to help you choose the best provider for your needs. You can also check out our post on the best free email marketing platforms if you’re starting with a shoestring budget.
AI, email automation, and integrations
AI-driven features, automation, and integrations can help streamline email workflows, improve engagement, and connect your ESP with other tools. When comparing ESPs, consider the following aspects:
- AI-powered optimization – features like AI-generated subject lines, content recommendations, and send-time optimization can help you improve email performance.
- Automation workflows – tools that let you set up emails to be sent automatically based on specific triggers, such as a user action or a time delay. This includes follow-up emails after sign-ups, abandoned cart reminders, and re-engagement campaigns.
- Third-party integrations – native and API-based connections with CRMs, e-commerce platforms, and analytics tools to help you synchronize data and better manage your campaigns.
Email design
There are many tools an ESP can provide you with to help you create visually appealing emails without extra effort. Here are some of them:
- Email templates – ready-made email designs that help speed up campaign creation. Check for the customization options and mobile responsiveness of the templates in a chosen ESP.
- Email builder – a drag-and-drop tool for creating emails visually without coding. Look for flexibility in layout and design elements.
- Email editor – a tool for customizing emails in HTML or plain text. Some ESPs offer both WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) and code-based editors for more control.
User experience
An ESP should be intuitive and easy to use. Pay attention to:
- Simple user interface – a clear, well-organized interface that makes email creation, sending, and tracking straightforward from day one.
- Onboarding support – check the tutorials, documentation, and video- and text-guided setups that help new users get started quickly.
Customer experience
It’s hard to identify the weaknesses of an ESP before you start using it. You can find valuable insight on forums and review websites from real users to know what to expect. Look for testimonials from users with similar needs as yours to understand how the platform performs in real-world use. Pay attention to ratings on G2, Capterra, or Trustpilot to compare overall customer satisfaction and spot recurring complaints or praise.
Best email service provider: Mailtrap Email Delivery Platform
Mailtrap is an email delivery platform designed to drive your revenue. Great for dev and marketing teams to send campaigns, mass, and transactional emails with focus on high email deliverability and industry-best analytics.
On top of email sending, Mailtrap allows you to thoroughly test your emails before they’re sent to ensure they display exactly as you want them across all email clients and browsers, without triggering spam filters.
Mailtrap is GDPR compliant and ISO 27001 certified, meaning your email data is handled with the highest standards of security and privacy.
Our team ran an email deliverability test for the most popular ESPs listed, using GlockApps, a reliable email deliverability tool.
To maintain objectivity, we used free-tier accounts, which rely on shared IP pools. As a result, the findings may differ for users with dedicated IPs, as reputation and authentication settings play a significant role in deliverability.
The results showed that 93.2% of emails sent via Mailtrap’s SMTP reached the inbox, with only 5.8% going to secondary tabs. For the full methodology and results, check out our email deliverability comparison overview.
Pros
- High deliverability rates. Mailtrap’s infrastructure is built to ensure emails successfully reach recipient servers with minimal rejections.
- 24/7 human support. Mailtrap offers round-the-clock human assistance for troubleshooting and setup.
- Scalable pricing. Mailtrap has flexible plans to adapt to different sending volumes and business needs.
- Efficient integration. The platform supports pre-built integrations through SMTP, APIs, and SDKs to connect with CRMs, web apps, and automation tools. It also provides a developer-friendly API with well-documented endpoints and offers quick configuration for a smooth setup process.
- Comprehensive data insights. Mailtrap provides detailed analytics and summaries that help users monitor email performance and optimize their setup with a helicopter-view dashboard, drill-down reports on different mailbox providers, and webhooks for real-time tracking.
Cons
- Free plan accounts are limited to only one user and don’t allow team members.
- There is no dedicated IP or SSO on the free plan.
Pricing
Mailtrap offers a free plan to explore the platform’s capabilities. Paid plans start at $15 per month for 10K emails, the Business plan costs $85 per month for 100K emails, and the Enterprise plan is $750 per month for 1.5M emails. For detailed pricing and feature breakdowns, visit Mailtrap’s official pricing page.
SendGrid
Twilio SendGrid is an ESP built for developers, marketers, and product teams that need a reliable platform for both transactional and marketing emails.
It offers flexible APIs and tools designed to help businesses streamline email sending at scale.
For marketing teams, SendGrid provides an email marketing suite with automation, segmentation, and other campaign management features.
Pros:
- Robust API and Integrations. SendGrid’s well-documented API helps teams integrate it with various platforms.
- Scalability. Designed to handle large volumes of emails, SendGrid is suitable for businesses with growing email needs.
- Solid deliverability tools. Features like Deliverability Insights provide users with actionable data to optimize email performance.
Cons:
- Support limitations. Users have reported challenges with customer support responsiveness, particularly when addressing account suspensions.
- Additional costs for marketing features. Some advanced marketing tools, such as dedicated IPs, are only available in higher-tier plans.
Pricing
SendGrid offers:
- A free tier;
- Basic plan that starts at $15/month with no automation and dedicated IP;
- Advanced plan for $60/month;
- Custom plan is available upon request for enterprise needs.
For detailed information on each plan, visit SendGrid’s official pricing page.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp is an ESP designed for small to medium-sized businesses that need an all-in-one platform for email marketing. It includes email automation, customizable templates, and detailed analytics to help teams create and manage campaigns efficiently.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface. Mailchimp has a simple, well-organized design that makes it easy to set up and manage email campaigns without technical knowledge.
- Rich email template library. Mailchimp offers a variety of customizable templates that can be adjusted to match different business needs and branding styles.
- Comprehensive analytics. The platform offers detailed reports and insights to help businesses track campaign performance and make data-driven decisions.
Cons:
- High pricing at scale. Mailchimp’s costs increase as the contact list grows, which can make it expensive for businesses with large audiences.
- Limited support on lower-tier plans. Mailchimp restricts customer support access on free and lower-tier plans, which can be a drawback for businesses that need assistance.
Pricing
Mailchimp offers a free plan and a range of paid options:
- Essentials plan – $13/month with limited support and automation.
- Standard plan – $20/month with advanced automation and retargeting options.
- Premium plan – $350/month with advanced segmentation and comparative reporting for larger enterprises.
For a detailed breakdown of each plan and its features, visit Mailchimp’s official pricing page.
Mailgun
Mailgun is an ESP designed for developers who need a reliable way to send, receive, and track emails through APIs. It’s designed for businesses that want to integrate email functionality directly into their applications without relying on pre-built marketing tools.
Pros:
- Developer-friendly API. Users like Mailgun’s API for its simplicity and multi-language support.
- Reliable email delivery. Mailgun is built to handle high email volumes without interruptions.
- Scalability. Mailgun’s infrastructure supports businesses as they grow, handling increased email volumes.
Cons:
- Expensive for high-volume senders. Mailgun’s pricing increases significantly with volume.
- Limited marketing capabilities. Mailgun is built for transactional emails and lacks many advanced marketing tools, though it does offer basic features for bulk email sending.
Pricing
Mailgun offers a free plan and a range of paid options:
- Basic plan for $15/month with 1 custom domain name, basic analytics, and 1-day log retention.
- Foundation plan for $35/month with a template builder, inbound routing, and 5-day log retention.
- Scale plan for $90/month with dedicated IP pools, send-time optimization, live support, and 30-day log retention.
For a detailed breakdown of each plan and its features, visit Mailgun’s official pricing page.
Campaign Monitor
Campaign Monitor is an ESP built for businesses that need an easy way to create and manage email campaigns. It offers automation tools, pre-designed templates, and analytics to help teams send targeted emails and track performance without a complicated setup.
It does not support transactional emails, as it is designed solely for marketing campaigns.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- High-quality templates
- Advanced marketing automation. Users can set up personalized customer journeys and targeted messaging using comprehensive automation features.
Cons:
- Expensive at scale. Some users find Campaign Monitor’s pricing high compared to competitors, especially as subscriber lists grow.
- Limited A/B testing. The platform only allows testing two variations, which may not be enough for advanced optimization.
- Support limitations. Access to customer support is restricted in lower-tier plans.
Pricing
Campaign Monitor doesn’t have a free plan but offers a 30-day free trial. For paid plans, the platform includes:
- Lite plan for $12/month with core email marketing features and basic support.
- Essential plan for $29/month with unlimited emails and advanced marketing automation.
- Premier plan for $159/month with all features, including pre-built engagement segments and phone support.
For a detailed breakdown of each plan and its features, visit Campaign Monitor’s official pricing page.
If you’re in need of a non-US-based provider, we cover the best in this video:
Best email providers: a snapshot
It may appear that you don’t need an ESP at all and can simply go with an email provider. Let’s take a look at the most well-known inbox providers and compare them.
- Gmail is a widely used email provider for individuals and businesses. Gmail offers 15GB of free storage, AI-powered spam filtering, and deep integration with Google Workspace.
- Microsoft Outlook is a professional email service designed for businesses and Microsoft users. It features simple Microsoft 365 integration, strong security, and advanced email organization tools.
- Yahoo Mail is a general-use email provider with 1TB of free storage, simple email management, and basic spam filtering.
- Proton Mail is a privacy-focused email provider with end-to-end encryption, zero-knowledge security, and anonymous email accounts.
- Zoho Mail is a business-oriented email provider with custom domain support, Zoho Workplace integration, and built-in productivity tools.
| Email Provider | Storage | Custom Domains | Security & Encryption | Business Features | Spam Filtering | Premium Plans |
| Gmail | 15GB | ⛔* | TLS, 2FA | Google Workspace Integration | Advanced AI Filtering | From $6.30/month |
| Outlook | 15GB | ⛔* | TLS, 2FA | Microsoft 365 Integration | Advanced AI Filtering | From $6/month |
| Yahoo Mail | 1TB | ⛔ | TLS, 2FA | ⛔ | Basic | From $5/month |
| Proton Mail | 500MB (Free) | ⛔* | End-to-End Encryption, Zero-Knowledge | ⛔ | Advanced (Privacy-Focused) | From €3.99/month |
| Zoho Mail | 5GB | ✅ | TLS, 2FA | Zoho Workplace | Advanced | From €0.90 /month |
* the feature is available in a paid plan
Email providers comparison criteria
When choosing an email provider, there are several aspects to consider to make the right choice for your needs:
Email hosting
Check where and how emails are stored. Most providers use cloud-based servers, while some, like Zoho Mail, offer custom domain hosting. Look at storage limits, reliability, and security.
Read more about email hosting services in our dedicated comparison guide.
Custom domain support
Check if the provider offers custom domain support for professional email addresses:
- harry.potter@hogwarts.com – custom domain
- harry.potter@yahoo.com – provider-hosted domain
Some providers require a paid plan for this feature, while Zoho Mail includes it in free and low-cost plans.
Email client
Look at the interface, accessibility, and platform compatibility. Some email providers have dedicated desktop and mobile apps (Outlook, Proton Mail), while others primarily operate through a web-based interface.
Check if the provider supports IMAP, which allows syncing emails across multiple devices and third-party email clients. Also, find out if the provider offers offline access to read and compose emails without an internet connection.
Security and privacy
Compare encryption levels, authentication protocols, and data protection policies. Services like Proton Mail offer end-to-end encryption, while Gmail and Outlook rely on TLS encryption, phishing protection, and two-factor authentication.
Business suite
If you need an email provider that integrates with a productivity suite, check what ecosystem it belongs to. Gmail works with Google Workspace, Outlook with Microsoft 365, Zoho Mail with Zoho Workplace, and iCloud Mail with Apple’s ecosystem.
Pricing
Check the free and paid plans of different platforms. Consider their storage limits and premium features. Some providers, like Yahoo Mail, offer substantial free storage but lack advanced business tools.
User experience
Evaluate the ease of use, interface design, and mobile app functionality. Some providers, like Outlook, offer a structured and professional layout, while others, like Proton Mail, focus more on security features, which may be difficult to use without experience.
The most popular email provider: Gmail
Gmail is one of the most widely used email services, with around 2.5 billion users worldwide, covering nearly 31% of the global population. It stands out for its AI-powered inbox organization, deep integration with Google Workspace, and strong security features. The service offers a reliable, user-friendly email experience with smart tools to manage communication efficiently for both personal use and businesses.
Pros:
- Smart email sorting. It automatically categorizes emails into Primary, Social, and Promotions tabs, helping users manage inbox clutter.
- Integration with Google Workspace. As a part of the Google Workspace ecosystem, Gmail works seamlessly with Google Drive, Calendar, Meet, and Docs.
- AI-powered spam filtering. Google uses advanced AI-based algorithms to block phishing attempts and filter out unsolicited emails.
Cons:
- Limited storage on a free plan. Gmail’s 15GB of free storage is shared across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos, which can fill up quickly.
- No end-to-end encryption. Unlike Proton Mail, Gmail doesn’t offer zero-knowledge encryption, which may be a concern for privacy-focused users.
- Email scanning in free accounts. The service scans email content to personalize ads across Google Search, YouTube, and partner sites, which some users find intrusive. While ads don’t appear in Gmail itself, email data is still used for ad targeting.
Pricing:
Gmail is free for personal use with 15GB of shared storage. Paid plans start at $6.30 per user/month, which includes custom domains, increased storage, and business tools. Business Standard plan costs $12,60, and Business Plus costs $22 per month.
Outlook
As of February 2025, Outlook holds approximately 8.10% of the global email client market share. It’s a widely used email provider, especially among businesses and professionals. Outlook integrates with Microsoft 365 and offers secure email sending, structured email organization, and advanced productivity tools for managing communication, scheduling, and collaboration.
Pros:
- Focused inbox. Outlook automatically sorts important emails into the Focused tab and filters out less relevant messages.
- Microsoft 365 integration. Outlook works with OneDrive, Teams, Word, Excel, Calendar, and other programs within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
- Advanced security. Outlook includes built-in phishing protection, ransomware detection, and encryption.
Cons:
- Limited storage on a free plan. Outlook’s 15GB of free storage may not be enough for users with high email volume.
- Custom domains only available in a paid plan. Outlook doesn’t offer free custom domain support—this feature is only available with a Microsoft 365 subscription.
- Ads in free accounts. Free Outlook accounts display ads.
Pricing:
Outlook offers a free email account and paid plans for individuals and businesses. Individual plans start at $9.99/month, with a family plan available for $12.99/month.
For businesses, the Microsoft 365 Basic plan costs $6 per user/month and includes custom domains, increased storage, and premium security features. Higher-tier plans, such as Microsoft 365 Standard ($12.50/month) and Microsoft 365 Premium ($22/month), provide additional business tools and compliance features.
Yahoo Mail
Yahoo Mail is a long-standing email provider that offers 1TB of free storage, far more than most competitors. It has a simple, easy-to-use interface and provides basic spam filtering and mobile access for everyday email needs. While it lacks advanced business tools, it remains a solid choice for personal use.
Pros:
- Large free storage space. Yahoo Mail provides ample space (1TB) for emails and attachments in a free tier.
- Straightforward interface. The layout is simple and easy to navigate.
- Basic spam protection. Yahoo Mail has built-in filters to reduce junk mail.
Cons:
- No business suite integration. Unlike Gmail and Outlook, Yahoo Mail doesn’t connect with a broader productivity suite.
- No custom domain support. Users cannot set up a custom email address (e.g., harry.potter@hogwarts.com).
- Has ads in free accounts. Free users will see ads in their inbox.
Pricing:
Yahoo Mail is free for personal use. A paid plan, Yahoo Mail Plus, starts at $5 per month and removes ads while adding premium support, disposable email addresses, and enhanced security features.
Proton Mail
Proton Mail is designed for users who prioritize confidentiality and control over their email data. Based in Switzerland, it operates under strict privacy laws and uses end-to-end encryption to ensure that only the sender and recipient can access messages. Unlike mainstream email services, Proton Mail doesn’t collect user data or scan emails, which makes it a strong option for individuals and businesses looking for maximum security.
Pros:
- End-to-end encryption. Emails are encrypted before they leave your device to ensure no one—not even Proton Mail—can read them.
- No data tracking. Unlike Gmail and Outlook, Proton Mail does not analyze emails for ads or analytics.
- Strong privacy protections. Based in Switzerland, Proton Mail is protected by some of the world’s strictest data privacy laws.
Cons:
- Limited storage on a free plan. Free accounts come with only 500MB of storage, which may not be enough for heavy email users.
- Daily sending limits. Free accounts are limited to 150 messages per day.
Pricing:
Proton Mail is free for personal use but has a daily sending limit of 150 messages. Paid plans start at €3.99/month, offering 15GB of storage, one custom domain, and additional features for security.
The Proton Unlimited plan costs €9.99/month. It includes 500GB of storage, three custom email domains, and access to other Proton services like VPN, Calendar, Drive, an encrypted password manager, and encrypted cloud storage.
Zoho Mail
Zoho Mail is designed for professionals and businesses that need a secure, ad-free email service with custom domain support. As part of the Zoho Workplace ecosystem, it allows teams to manage emails, documents, and calendars in one place. Zoho Mail offers cost-effective plans and a strong focus on business users. It’s a practical alternative to Gmail and Outlook, especially for startups and small businesses.
Pros:
- Custom domain support on free and paid plans. Unlike other services, Zoho Mail allows users to set up custom email domains even on its free tier.
- Ad-free experience. Whether on a free or paid plan, Zoho Mail doesn’t display ads in the inbox.
- Zoho Workplace integration. Zoho Mail works with Zoho’s productivity apps like Docs, Calendar, and CRM, which can be ideal for business users.
Cons:
- Limited storage on a free plan. Free accounts come with only 5GB of storage.
- Outdated interface. Zoho Mail’s interface is less modern and intuitive compared to its competitors.
- Few third-party integrations. While it works well within Zoho’s ecosystem, it doesn’t integrate as seamlessly with external apps.
Pricing:
Zoho Mail has a Forever Free plan with 5GB of storage and a 25MB attachment limit. Paid plans start at €0.90 with increased storage, attachment size, and calendar access. The Mail Premium plan costs €3.60 and includes 50GB of storage, a 1GB attachment size, email backup, and enhanced security features like S/MIME encryption.
For businesses, there’s a full productivity suite. Zoho Workplace starts at €2.70 per user/month and combines email hosting with online collaboration tools like Docs, Sheets, and Meetings.
Wrapping up
Choosing between an email service provider (ESP) and an email provider depends on how you plan to use email.
If you need to send large volumes of marketing emails, as well as bulk and transactional messages, an ESP is the right choice. ESPs provide automation, analytics, and deliverability tools to help ensure your emails reach recipients.
If you primarily need an inbox for receiving and managing emails, an email provider is the better option. Email providers offer email hosting, security features, and spam filtering, enough for personal and business communication.