The best email hosting providers deliver a critical service with speed and reliability. Given the communication method’s widespread popularity and massive convenience, it can be easy to underestimate emails and the importance of finding the perfect platform.
Signing up for a free email hosting service, such as Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, or Hotmail, is easy. But when it comes time to create a professional email address and build credibility to have your messages stand out from the crowd, you’ll want to invest in a powerful — yet still affordable — hosting provider.
Whether you’re looking for unlimited email accounts, tremendous customer support, or the double whammy of email and website hosting, we’ll show you the best when it comes to email hosting services.
- Navigate This Article:
1. A2 Hosting – Fastest Email Hosting Provider
Known for servers especially tuned for speed, A2 Hosting is an obvious favorite for email hosting. Each user account is loaded up with all the popular features you’d expect, including POP3, IMAP, and SMTP support, as well as spam protection, filters, and autoresponders.
Coupled with the company’s ultra-fast Turbo Server configuration, A2 Hosting’s web and email hosting plans boast loading and delivery times up to 20 times faster than those of competitors.
Unlimited accounts and the choice of datacenter come standard with every plan; upgraded plans introduce backups and enhanced performance.
 | ★★★★★ /5.0 |
- FREE software for webmail, newsletters, contact forms, list management, and spam filtering
- Unlimited inboxes, forwarding, and autoresponders
- Secure POP3, IMAP, and SMTP messaging
- Unlimited storage and transfer with FREE SSL
- Get more than 77% off today (was $7.99/month)
- Get started on A2 Hosting now.
| Starting Price/Mo. | $2.99 |
| Money Back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Disk Space | 100 GB SSD – Unlimited SSD |
| Domain Name | New or Transfer |
| Email Hosting Plans | www.a2hosting.com/email |
Combining the internet’s most popular and secure email technologies with high-speed and reliable infrastructure, A2 Hosting ensures your messages are delivered on time. As a recipient, you’ll appreciate the company’s multiple spam filtering…
Go to full review »Here are the highlights:
- Price: per month for email and web hosting
- Inboxes: 25 – unlimited email accounts per plan
- Attachments: 50MB maximum from shared and reseller servers
- Custom domain: Transfer or new domains available for $14.95 per year
- Other features: Pre-installed webmail clients, SpamAssassin protection, plus more than 20 choices for an email client, newsletter managers, and other available software applications
In addition to A2 Hosting’s 99.9% uptime guarantee and around-the-clock customer support, the hosting provider goes above and beyond when it comes to the software needed to check, read, and send emails.
Users can choose from three pre-installed webmail clients or opt to add one of several others. Businesses will want to check out the applications contact forms, newsletters, and subscriber management, all of which are available via one-click installation.
When you’re looking for the best email hosting, A2 Hosting should be near the top of your list thanks to the comprehensive approach the company takes toward protecting, improving, and growing your online presence.
2. Hostinger – Best Domain and Email Hosting Service
Already offering a solid web-and-email hosting combination, Hostinger partnered with Flock in late 2019 to better serve small businesses and power users.
As a business productivity app creator, Flock delivers a collaboration platform with advanced search functionality, videoconferencing, and calendars. These email plans, priced per user, come with huge mailboxes, at least two mail filters, antivirus scans, and up to 50 email aliases.
 | ★★★★★ /5.0 |
- Easily import contacts, messages, and calendars
- FREE domain name with annual plan
- 1-click integrations with 50+ productivity tools
- Collaborate with polls, shared to-do lists
- Less than $1 per mailbox per month!
- Get started on Hostinger now.
| Starting Price/Mo. | $2.49 |
| Money Back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Disk Space | 50 GB SSD – 200 GB SSD |
| Domain Name | FREE (1 year) |
| Email Hosting Plans | www.hostinger.com/email |
Showing major value, Hostinger email plans come complete with all the collaboration and productivity tools you’d expect from higher-priced hosts. We especially love the easy integrations with platforms like Twitter, Google Drive, and others.
Go to full review »Here are the highlights:
- Price: $2.49 per month for email and web hosting; $0.99 to $2.49 per month per mailbox for business email hosting
- Inboxes: Base plan comes with one inbox and other hosting plans come with unlimited accounts; business email service comes with 10GB-30GB mailboxes
- Attachments: 25MB maximum
- Custom domain: FREE domain name registration with an annual plan
- Other features: Built-in email migration tool, Flockmail apps integrations, multi-device support, SSD storage, custom control panel, 24/7 support, and weekly backups
For those looking for more straightforward email service, Hostinger represents another remarkably affordable option that resonates with more than 29 million customers worldwide.
We are especially intrigued by the dozens of one-click productivity and collaboration integrations, covering the likes of Asana, Twitter, Todoist, and Google Drive.
The base plan, which is regularly priced at less than $1 per month, restricts site owners to just one email account. Whichever plan you choose, though, you’ll be well served with high-performance hardware and surprisingly attentive support.
3. Bluehost – Most Popular Email and Web Hosting Provider
One of the most trusted brands in web hosting, Bluehost gives customers several email hosting solutions from which to choose. As do many providers on this list, Bluehost includes unlimited email inboxes for free as part of its web hosting plans.
Those looking for business email hosting may prefer to add Microsoft Office 365 to their plan. Bluehost gives most shared hosting customers a free 30-day trial license to see if the upgrade is worthwhile, but don’t forget to opt out of any renewals if you don’t want the extra fee.
Learn more about Bluehost’s email offerings here:
 | ★★★★★ /5.0 |
- FREE domain and unlimited emails
- Secure email with 3 webmail solutions
- $200 in advertising credits with Google and Bing
- Google app integration available
- FREE Office 365 mailbox for your first 30 days
- Get started on Bluehost now.
| Starting Price/Mo. | $1.99 |
| Money Back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Disk Space | 10 GB SSD – 100 GB SSD |
| Domain Name | FREE (1 year) |
| Email Hosting Plans | www.bluehost.com/email |
For email hosting with security and tons of available features, Bluehost is one of our favorites. The company includes a free domain name for a year, POP3 and IMAP security for unlimited emails, plus email forwarding and three web-based email solutions.
Go to full review »Here are the highlights:
- Price: per month for email and web hosting; $2.99 per user per month for Microsoft Office 365
- Inboxes: Starts with five email accounts and 100MB inboxes, most plans are unlimited; Office 365 accounts come with 15-50GB mailboxes
- Attachments: 50MB (35MB is recommended); Office 365 limit is 25MB
- Custom domain: Included FREE for one year of web hosting services or connect your own
- Other features: SpamAssassin and Postini filters and malware protection
We love Office 365 for the added productivity and collaboration tools, such as calendars, spreadsheets, and task lists, but recognize it’s not for everyone.
With each hosting plan, Bluehost offers unlimited and secure IMAP and POP3 support, along with three webmail clients ready to send and receive your emails. Customers can create unlimited forwarding accounts and rely on the always-trustworthy SpamAssassin protection.
4. 1&1 IONOS – Cheapest Email Hosting
Known for budget-friendly services, 1&1 IONOS boasts a surprising range of email hosting options. The web host’s low-cost shared hosting plans come with a custom email address and webmail client.
Those who need more sending power can acquire more IONOS-powered email inboxes on an a la carte basis, with prices ranging from $1 to $5 for up to 50GB of storage for each user.
The email host also covers everything from Microsoft Exchange and 365 to Google Workspace platforms — and all at staggeringly low prices.
 | ★★★★★ /5.0 |
- Business email with a personal consultant
- Choice of IONOS mail, Microsoft 365, or Google Workspace mailboxes
- FREE domain or transfer included
- Create up to 500 email accounts
- Premium tools for email marketing available
- Get started on 1&1 IONOS now.
| Starting Price/Mo. | $1.00 |
| Money Back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Disk Space | 10 GB – Unlimited |
| Domain Name | FREE (1 year) |
| Email Hosting Plans | www.ionos.com/email |
If the budget factor is on your mind when searching for a web host, rest easy. 1&1 IONOS has a wide range of packages, including reduced rates for the first few months (or year) and starter plans for all of their web hosting and website building services.
Go to full review »We usually think of 1&1 IONOS as being a great starting point for beginners, but the company actually provides a lot of hidden value for business users. The feature-laden shared plans scale up to VPS, cloud, and dedicated server hosting.
Most inboxes automatically max out at 2GB, but customers can pay to upgrade all the way to 2TB mailboxes. As one of our favorite domain name hosting providers, 1&1 IONOS is a natural pairing for custom email addresses.
Here are the highlights:
- Price: $1.00 per month for email and web hosting
- Inboxes: One address with 2GB mailboxes (about 10,000 emails)
- Attachments: 70MB maximum
- Custom domain: FREE registration or transfer with an annual hosting plan
- Other features: Hosted Exchange servers, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, plus unlimited domains, customizable spam filters, and virus scans
In fact, 1&1 IONOS is our top choice for hosted Exchange, which comes with mailboxes ranging from 5GB to 50GB. A Microsoft Exchange server covers all the functionality of IMAP (the protocol for accessing your emails from various devices) but includes more business-friendly features.
Google Workspace, which takes the Gmail Google app to a professional level with programs for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and others, emphasizes usability across all devices and comes with 30GB to 2TB of mailbox storage.
5. InMotion Hosting – Best Security Features
Featuring advanced technologies wrapped in user-friendly packaging, InMotion Hosting excels at providing loads of value for customers at affordable rates.
All of the company’s hosting plans include its proprietary and real-time SpamSafe protection, which monitors an immense portion of the world’s email traffic to identify sources of spam before it comes into InMotion Hosting’s network.
 | ★★★★★ /5.0 |
- FREE domain registration or no-downtime transfer
- Unlimited SPAM Safe™ email with IMAP
- 1-click app installer and FREE marketing tools
- Business-class hardware and eCommerce-ready
- SSD storage plus FREE backups and SSL security
- Get started on InMotion now.
| Starting Price/Mo. | $2.29 |
| Money Back Guarantee | 90 days |
| Disk Space | 100 GB SSD – Unlimited SSD |
| Domain Name | FREE (1 year) |
| Email Hosting Plans | www.inmotionhosting.com/email |
For business-class email hosting, look no further than InMotion Hosting. They offer a free domain name, SSD drive, and secure IMAP email, plus Google app integration with a three-step wizard.
Go to full review »Here are the highlights:
- Price: per month for web hosting with email
- Inboxes: 1 – unlimited email inboxes per plan
- Attachments: 50MB maximum
- Custom domain: Connect your own, FREE transfer, or get a new domain name for $12.99
- Other features: 90-day money-back guarantee, SpamSafe protection, malware protection, and easy Google Apps integration
Even better, InMotion Hosting is among the best when it comes to providing earnest and thorough support. Customers will get a personalized call from an employee to assist with account setup and customizations, and the team is available 24/7 via live phone, email tickets, and live chat support.
In addition to a hassle-free zero-downtime website transfer, the host’s knowledge base is full of helpful guides for changing your MX record, setting up an email client, and other communication settings.
Unfortunately, customers won’t unlock unlimited email addresses unless they pay for the highest-tier shared hosting plan, but all Pro Plan subscribers receive an enhanced service-level agreement of 99.999% uptime.
Regardless of which plan you choose, we expect you’ll be happy with InMotion Hosting’s constantly innovating technologies and services. If not, you’ll have an industry-leading 90-day money-back guarantee at your disposal.
6. SiteGround – Best Customer Support
Beyond delivering top-notch hosting hardware and stellar support, SiteGround promises speedy and secure SMTP, POP3, and IMAP messages.
The company ranks among the best email hosting providers particularly thanks to its custom-built technologies for speed, security, and efficient troubleshooting.
Even though SiteGround had developed its own automated spam protection platform to prevent emails from being sent from a compromised account, the hosting provider partnered with SpamExperts to further improve its services.
 | ★★★★★ /5.0 |
- Unlimited email hosting at your domain
- Compatible with multiple webmail and email clients
- Secure email protocols and anti-spam solutions
- Easy oversight via cPanel and FREE site builder
- Ideal for business email hosting with 99.9% uptime
- Get started on SiteGround now.
| Starting Price/Mo. | $2.99 |
| Money Back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Disk Space | 10 GB SSD – 40 GB SSD |
| Domain Name | New or Transfer |
| Email Hosting Plans | www.siteground.com/email |
SiteGround offers excellent email hosting services — compatible with all major webmail and email clients, including RoundCube and Outlook. Email hosting customers get unlimited email accounts at their domain, secure email protocols, and SPAM filters.
Go to full review »Here are the highlights:
- Price: per month for email and web hosting
- Inboxes: Unlimited accounts with mailbox quotas that max out between 2GB and 6GB
- Attachments: 80MB maximum, or 50MB when sending through a webmail client
- Custom domain: Connect your own, transfer, or register a new one for $15.95
- Other features: Pre-installed Roundcube and Horde, cloud storage, cPanel management for forwarding and aliases, plus SpamExperts protection and free Cloudflare CDN
SiteGround operates its platform via Google Cloud hosting to provide additional redundancy and scalability. Each hosting account comes with SSD disk space, automatic daily backups, and the user-friendly cPanel interface for setting up inboxes, filters, autoresponders, and aliases.
We also appreciate how the partnership with Google echoes a commitment to carbon neutrality and 100% renewable energy returns.
Everything goes in hand with SiteGround’s long-standing reputation as a web hosting provider that balances cutting-edge infrastructure with incredibly responsive and helpful support channels.
About 90% of all customer support issues are resolved at first contact, with SiteGround promising prompt responses to all chat, phone, or email ticket inquiries — often in less than a minute.
7. HostGator – Unlimited Email Hosting
As champions of unlimited hosting, HostGator doesn’t track how much server storage or bandwidth a user consumes. That luxury naturally extends to unlimited email hosting, where customers can create unlimited POP3 email accounts with SMTP and IMAP support.
Check your mail from anywhere with any device, or enjoy the ready-to-go Roundcube and Horde webmail clients.
 | ★★★★★ /5.0 |
- Unlimited email accounts and storage
- FREE migration, domain, and SSL certificate
- Webmail access via Horde and Roundcube
- FREE SpamAssassin and weekly backups
- Seamless G Suite upgrade for more productivity
- Get started on HostGator now.
| Starting Price/Mo. | $2.64 |
| Money Back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Disk Space | 10 GB SSD – 40 GB SSD |
| Domain Name | FREE (1 year) |
| Email Hosting Plans |
Woven into HostGator’s well-appointed web hosting plans is all the email power you’ll ever need. Unlimited addresses and storage, coupled with ready-to-go Horde and Roundcube webmail clients, combine with the host’s high-class infrastructure…
Go to full review »Here are the highlights:
- Price: $2.64 per month for email and web hosting
- Inboxes: Unlimited addresses with unmetered storage
- Attachments: 50MB for Linux servers; 35MB for Windows users
- Custom domain: FREE domain name registration or transfer with annual plans
- Other features: SpamAssassin protection, unlimited aliases, autoresponders, and forwarding
Given the company’s expertise in providing high-grade hosting environments, HostGator represents the first email hosting service on our list that also accommodates Windows aficionados and fans of entry-level managed WordPress services.
The email host offers all the services you’d expect, including weekly off-site backups, and even offers an upgraded integration with Google Workspace for those who want the familiar Gmail interface.
Otherwise, HostGator customers can set up and manage their email hosting services through the familiar and comfortable cPanel interface. Beware of higher-than-normal renewal fees with HostGator, but the high-quality infrastructure remains a good value.
8. GoDaddy
As the world’s largest web hosting company, GoDaddy is responsible for more than 77 million domain names. So, it stands to reason the leading domain registrar is a popular choice for providing among the best email hosting plans, as well.
In addition to the standard webmail-driven email accounts that come with web hosting plans, GoDaddy also offers professional email plans and Microsoft Office 365 hosting services.
 | ★★★★★ /5.0 |
- Professional email solutions on your domain
- Microsoft Outlook and Office 365 available
- World-class data security and spam filtering
- HIPAA-compliance features with premium plans
- 99.9% uptime guaranteed
- Get started on GoDaddy now.
| Starting Price/Mo. | $8.99 |
| Money Back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Disk Space | 25 GB – 100 GB |
| Domain Name | FREE (1 year) |
| Email Hosting Plans | www.godaddy.com/email |
Arguably the most noteworthy name in domain and email hosting, GoDaddy touts premium, affordable email and productivity solutions for personal use and businesses of all sizes. Whether you just need a couple gigs of email storage or a robust hosted email server…
Go to full review »Here are the highlights:
- Price: $8.99 per month for web and email hosting; $1.99 per user per month for professional email; or $7.99 per user per month for Office 365
- Inboxes: Unlimited email accounts; professional mailboxes start at 10GB of storage
- Attachments: 20MB maximum
- Custom domain: FREE domain name or transfer with annual plan
- Other features: Fraud, spam, and virus protection, along with 256-bit encryption, webmail or Microsoft Exchange mailboxes, and optional HIPAA compliance via Office 365
Interestingly, GoDaddy provides new web hosting customers with a full year of a 5GB Office 365 mailbox, more than the one-month trial that Bluehost offers.
We love the idea of giving communicators a glimpse into Microsoft’s email and productivity platform, but those not wanting to spend the high renewal rates will want to make sure to cancel the service within the year.
Given GoDaddy’s strong in-house business email service, which can also be paired with an online bookkeeping package, many customers won’t need to stick with Office 365 for long.
Businesses especially will appreciate GoDaddy’s scalable and secure email services, which sync across multiple devices and support hundreds of aliases.
9. InterServer
When it comes to cheap email hosting that still provides all the features and scalability site owners need, look no further than InterServer. The company’s email service, which comes with all the standard web hosting tools, includes unlimited storage, spam and virus protection, and a stellar 100% uptime guarantee.
InterServer takes a hands-on, user-friendly approach to innovative technologies that deliver results without breaking the bank.
 | ★★★★★ /5.0 |
- $0.01 first month (coupon code HOSTINGADV)
- $2.50/month after. No contracts or increases
- Unlimited storage space, data transfers, and email
- Register or transfer domains for less than $10
- 99.9% uptime and price-lock guarantee
- Get started on InterServer now.
| Starting Price/Mo. | $2.50 |
| Money Back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Disk Space | Unlimited SSD |
| Domain Name | New or Transfer |
| Email Hosting Plans |
It’s hard to argue with a shared hosting plan that includes unlimited storage, bandwidth, websites, and email — but shared hosting is a crowded industry that turns on name recognition, reputation, and bargain-basement prices.InterServer outperforms some of…
Go to full review »Here are the highlights:
- Price: $2.50 for the first month, then $2.50 monthly
- Inboxes: Unlimited accounts with massive 25GB mailboxes
- Attachments: 50MB maximum (35MB recommended)
- Custom domain: FREE transfer, new domain name for $7.99, or connect your own
- Other features: Guaranteed email delivery, free migration, unlimited aliases, group lists, and forwarding, plus available upgrades for archiving and file storage
In addition to the massive mailboxes, we appreciate InterServer for its end-to-end encrypted emails and anonymous email service, plus custom-built malware and brute-force protection programs.
We wish the hosting package came with automated backups and a free domain, but the $7.99 registration fee is significantly less than you’ll typically find among competitors.
The company is a rare email provider compared to the many hosts that typically look to lock new customers into long-term deals; the web hosting service instead operates solely on month-to-month hosting contracts without price increases.
10. Rackspace
As the hosting provider of choice for more than 60% of the Fortune 100 and one of the most trusted brands for business-grade hosting, Rackspace is clearly a top choice for those serious about their sending power.
The service provider’s in-house email hosting solutions are among the best you’ll find anywhere, with Rackspace’s massive 25GB mailboxes, unlimited aliases and forwarding, and a 100% uptime guarantee.
Here are the highlights:
- Price: Starts at $2.99 per user per month and comes with a 14-day FREE trial; Office 365 plans begin at $5.00 per user per month and hosted Exchange begins at $10.99 per user per month
- Inboxes: 25GB mailboxes with unlimited aliases
- Attachments: 50MB maximum
- Custom domain: Connect you own or register a new domain name for $10.00
- Other features: IMAP support for Outlook, mobile, and webmail access, plus free migrations, 100% uptime guarantee, and premium spam and virus protection
In addition to the user-friendly Rackspace email server, the company offers both Microsoft Office 365 and a hosted Exchange service for businesses seeking additional collaboration and productivity.
By helping businesses move their Exchange server into the cloud, Rackspace alleviates the extra cost and headaches associated with managing the complicated on-premises architecture.
We’re a little surprised Rackspace doesn’t provide more integrations for those with a Gmail account or Google Workspace license. But the company, listed in the Gartner’s 2020 Magic Quadrant for public cloud infrastructure and managed services, is more than ready to wow you with an incredible experience backed by Rackspace’s legendary Fanatical Support crew.
Get started on Rackspace now »
11. Office 365
As is evident by the number of top email hosting providers offering premium upgrades to Microsoft Office 365, the cloud-based software suite is a go-to email hosting service for those looking to move beyond basic hosting services.
Communicators can cut out the middleman and go straight to the source for high-quality Office 365 service, which comes with the full suite of familiar productivity software programs.
Here are the highlights:
- Price: $69.99 per year for personal use or starting at $8.25 per user per month for businesses
- Inboxes: One 50GB mailbox per license
- Attachments: 150MB maximum (but be careful: many other email clients only accept 50MB attachments)
- Custom domain: Connect your own (or find a top domain name registrar)
- Other features: Enjoy Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, plus 60 minutes of Skype calls per month and 1TB of file storage in OneDrive
As you can see, Microsoft Office 365 goes far beyond just the Microsoft Outlook email client. The comprehensive service is perfectly suited for both individual users, small businesses, and even large-scale operations.
We found the cloud storage to be exceptionally fast — if perhaps a little limited when it comes to growing your plan. Unlimited storage for your emails is only possible by upgrading to the enterprise-level packages.
Even though Office 365 isn’t your typical email hosting service, the platform is still backed by a 99.9% uptime guarantee and 24/7 support.
Get started on Microsoft Office 365 now »
12. Google Workspace (Formerly G-Suite)
Google’s answer to cloud-based productivity, collaboration, and communication, Google Workspace (formerly G-Suite) extends the ever-popular Gmail email client into instant messaging, videoconferencing, and scheduling for individuals and businesses.
The free plan associated with Gmail is great, but it doesn’t enable users to connect a custom domain or leverage any of the stellar platform’s other programs.
The email host’s entry-level plan allocates an impressive 30GB of mailbox space to each user, which becomes unlimited as you upgrade your service.
Here are the highlights:
- Price: $6.00 per user per month; up to $25 per user per month for enterprise organizations
- Inboxes: Basic plan comes with a 30GB mailbox; otherwise storage is unlimited
- Attachments: 25MB sending maximum, 50MB for receiving
- Custom domain: Connect your own or register a new domain name for $12 per year
- Other features: Spam filtering and virus blocking tools, IMAP and POP support, offline editor, built-in migration tools, plus video conferencing, shared calendars, and Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, and a website builder
Google Workspace, which is a little cheaper than Office 365, also offers a more cohesive and seamless domain name registration experience for those looking to create a new custom address.
We’re especially fond of the administrative controls users can have over their email server, as well: two-step verification, single sign-on, and endpoint management all enable businesses to keep their data secure.
However, Gmail is oddly one of the few platforms to not enable users to sort their emails into folders. Although labels ultimately allow for more flexibility, the change is a noticeable departure from the norm.
Get started on Google Workspace now »
13. Fastmail
The emailing specialists concentrate on the core functions and workflows of online communication. There is plenty of collaboration on contacts, group emails, and calendars, but Fastmail doesn’t get bogged down in other productivity programs.
Instead, you get a thoughtful, streamlined inbox available on browsers, mobile, and desktop that prioritizes privacy and usability. Senders can import their inboxes from other services, search messages’ full text, and create threaded emails to stay organized.
Here are the highlights:
- Price: $3.00 per user per month for an email hosting service that starts with a 30-day FREE trial
- Inboxes: 2-100GB mail storage space per user, depending on which plan you choose
- Attachments: 50MB maximum for most customers
- Custom domain: Connect your own as part of the Standard or Professional packages
- Other features: Integrated calendars, contact lists, and groups, along with a mail import tool and expert support. Robust, ad-free, and private email service aimed at improving your workflows
As the flagship organization of a trio of companies, Fastmail leads a pair of sister organizations in Topicbox and Pobox that enable customers to extend their experience with emails. (Fastmail customers get a discount if they sign up for the other services.)
We especially appreciate that Fastmail, as the world’s largest independent email service provider, also leads the way on a few open-source projects aimed at improving overall email performance: Cyrus IMAP and JMAP.
The Australian hosting service has spent more than two decades refining its platform, but we’d like to see more message-level or end-to-end encryption. However, Fastmail keeps your data private and will not scan your messages for marketing purposes.
14. Zoho
Closing out our list as the final best email hosting provider is another cloud-based alternative to the powerhouses from Microsoft and Google.
Zoho may not enjoy the same name recognition or clout as the others, but more than 50 million global users can vouch for the effectiveness of Zoho Mail and the Zoho Workplace suite of apps, including services for file management, chatting, online training, and virtual meetings.
Here are the highlights:
- Price: $1 per user per month for just email hosting service; $3 per user per month for the complete suite of applications
- Inboxes: 30GB mail storage per user
- Attachments: 20MB maximum for most customers; advanced plans enable users to attach a file of up to 250MB to send as a link
- Custom domain: Connect your own or register a new domain name for $10 per year
- Other features: Email routing, folder sharing, offline access, message recall, hosted Exchange ActiveSync, mobile applications, and developer tools for custom integrations
Zoho Workplace goes beyond email to include tools for file management and storage space, spreadsheets, presentations, and online meetings and training.
In addition to the standard IMAP and POP support you’d expect from an email client, Zoho Mail comes with support for Windows and Android devices, along with developer-friendly tools to extend functionality even further.
When you add in Zoho Workplace’s full suite of word processing, social intranet, and other software programs, Zoho quickly becomes a more cost-effective option for cost-conscious organizations.
What is Email Hosting?
Still not sure what you’re looking for? Compare email versus web hosting plans, which are fairly similar but often confused.
Generally speaking, all hosting services entail renting space on a server to store files and securely transmit that information to your audience — whether it’s website files or emails.
Definition: Email hosting involves renting space on an email server and relying on the service to send and receive messages, usually with a custom domain name
Most website hosting plans include at least one free email hosting account and the basic spam filter, virus protection, and free domain registration — but they can be a bit too simple for large businesses.
Organizations that require a bit more sending power will want to separate their mail server from the computer that stores and processes its website files. That email server can be a separate shared hosting environment or even an entire dedicated server.
Regardless, be sure to find web and email hosting providers that support an IMAP mail server, which enables you to send and retrieve your emails from any device or location.
The older protocol, POP, deletes messages from the server once they’re retrieved and restricts communicators to using only one device.
For those who need a little more firepower with their email server, hosting services like Office 365, G Suite, and Zoho typically offer larger mailboxes, more protections, and software to help you manage projects and collaborate with others.
Plus, they each come with a popular and familiar email client: Outlook, Gmail, or Zoho Mail. These options will be more expensive but can bring even greater value than consolidating all your hosting services with one provider.
Why Do I Need Email Hosting?
Business emails currently make up nearly 140 billion of the messages sent and received each day, with each person opening, reading, and responding to roughly 120 emails daily.
Professionals and marketers consistently rank email as the preferred communication method for business-oriented emails, identifying the messages as the most effective tactic for growing awareness, acquisition, conversion, and retention.
Even though emailing may seem relatively outdated when compared with services like video conferencing and chat solutions, there are still tons of reasons why you’ll want the service:
- Professionalism: A custom domain name immediately lends your emails more authority. Show customers you’re willing to make meager investments in your brand.
- Control of your data: Backups are much more available and accessible, and you can oversee any potential storage or compliance requirements.
- Additional features: Emails go beyond inboxes. What about forwarding, autoresponders, newsletters, and marketing or customer relations communications? Professional-grade email hosting also comes with productivity and collaboration software.
Searching for the best email hosting service is bound to pay dividends when it comes to your brand’s credibility and your own peace of mind.
Think of it from your visitors’ or customers’ point of view: would they want to trust an organization that emails from a free Yahoo or Hotmail account? Or from an address that matches their website that can’t be spoofed or imitated? Which sounds more legit?
Three-quarters of customers surveyed by GoDaddy in 2016 responded that an organization that used a domain-based email address that matched its website was a very important factor when it comes to trusting an online small business.
On the other hand, if a company uses a generic, free email address, customers are 35% more likely to research the brand further through online reviews.
How Do I Choose the Best Email Hosting Service?
More than a third of the world’s population operates an active email account, with business addresses accounting for roughly 25% of all inboxes.
As you may imagine, the best email hosting enables you to maximize your success by connecting with potential clients and customers.
Reliable communications, courtesy of your email host, helps you build trust, troubleshoot any problems, and build brand loyalty. Here are some key metrics to look for, and the specific features you’ll need:
- Security: Virus scans, anti-malware measures, and spam filters are a start. Automatic daily backups and HIPAA or FISMA compliance are even better.
- Ease of use: Expect 24/7 customer service via phone, chat, and email, plus an intuitive online interface and pre-configured webmail clients.
- Storage: Unlimited is always good; scalable email storage plans are even better. Look for hosts that offer archiving services.
- Compatibility: The four most important letters for email users are IMAP. That protocol enables you to check your inbox from phones, tablets, and computers from anywhere. Keep an eye out for providers that explain how to set up your mail clients or mobile apps (e.g., Apple Mail).
When searching for the best server for your email accounts, pay attention to the features and functionalities associated with custom domain names.
Whether you’re an individual seeking a new job or starting a small business, a professional email address lends you more credibility and authority — meaning your emails will be more likely to be opened, read, and responded to. Happy sending!
How Much Should Email Hosting Cost?
Considering nearly 60% of adults check their email first thing in the morning, email communications represent a major part of your online presence — it’s not worth screwing up.
That’s why we typically recommend spending at least a few dollars on an email service that comes with everything you need to succeed.
That being said, you’ll see a few different pricing formats when you shop for email hosting. Similar to how cloud hosting can be billed either monthly or by-the-minute consumption, professional email plans typically either come in a flat monthly rate or on a per user, per month basis.
All-In-One Plans: $5 or Less Per Month
For basic emailing needs, the free email accounts that come as part of web hosting services are perfect solutions. You’ll get one bill to pay for all your online needs.
You may not get all the productivity and collaboration tools as you would with services that offer per-inbox pricing, but most hosting providers include hundreds of free one-click installation scripts for things like subscription forms, newsletters, and email marketing.
For the lowest prices, be sure to check out email accounts and hosting from Hostinger and GoDaddy, which offer basic plans for just around $1 per month.
If you want to step up your game, providers like Bluehost, A2 Hosting, and SiteGround give customers loads of sending power for roughly $5 per month.
Per-Inbox Pricing: $1 to $10 Per User
Professional email hosting providers lend your inbox a sense of legitimacy by replacing Google, Zoho, or Yahoo’s name with your custom domain.
Instead of widespread, one-size-fits-all web and email hosting, organizations can take a little more control over their costs and technology footprint by finding a host or cloud service that charges per user or account.
Zoho carries an intriguing entry-level plan that costs just $1 per month per user, about the same cost as Hostinger’s upgraded business email inboxes.
At this price scheme, however, you’ll mostly be looking at more expensive services from Office 365, Google Workspace, Zoho, and the like.
Basic Office 365 accounts start at $3 per month per license if you go through Microsoft, but the platform frequently shows up as an add-on to web hosting plans. That perk, which comes with the added convenience of consolidating your billings, can range anywhere from $6 to $10 per inbox.
Host Exchange mail servers represent the most expensive per-user email option given the specialized hardware and support needed. Expect to pay $10 or more for the harder-to-find service.
What About Free?
It’s hard to argue with a free plan. Unlike web hosting, zero-cost email services are generally a surprisingly good bet, considering the storage and sending capacities you get with Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, and AOL mail accounts.
For those willing to stray from the traditional free email account, Zoho actually offers an impressive service for up to five users on a custom domain.
Email accounts come with 5GB per inbox and 25MB attachment limit. You’ll be limited to webmail access only, but Zoho offers an intriguing and cost-effective glimpse into business-class email hosting.
Which Business Email Service is the Best?
While combining your email service with a web hosting plan works great for individuals, freelancers, bloggers, and small businesses, larger organizations will probably want to opt for one of the best email hosting plans for businesses.
Email hosting providers, including Rackspace, Office 365, G Suite, Rackspace, and even Zoho, will likely be a more expensive route, but you can expect to receive premium IMAP support, spam and virus protection, server monitoring, and stellar uptime.
The best email hosting service depends on each organization’s requirements, budget, and familiarity. Here’s our breakdown:
- Best Value: Bluehost
- Cheapest: Hostinger ($0.99/month)
- Best Email Server Performance: A2 Hosting
- Best for Small Business: iPage
- Best Support: SiteGround
- Easiest: InMotion Hosting
When breaking down the best email hosting for businesses, G Suite holds a pretty clear lead over Office 365 when it comes to popularity, with about 57% of the market choosing Google’s service. However, Zoho is a more cost-effective option that still has all the same features.
Freelancers and smaller businesses, however, will likely appreciate the efficiency and savings associated with adding an email hosting service and email marketing tools through their web host.
With their low-cost, high-value plans, Zoho, SiteGround, and Bluehost meet these needs with aplomb.
What’s Next? Learn Where Email Hosting Addons Can Take You
Great! By now, you’ve probably got a good idea of where you want to set up your inboxes.
Now what?
From here, it’s time to figure out the best ways to leverage this communication method to your biggest benefit.
For personal users, that may simply mean organizing your inbox or simply starting over on a custom domain to escape the mountain of subscriptions and unread emails.
Businesses, however, may even reinvent their workflows to incorporate collaboration, tasklists, and other efficiencies to reach Inbox Zero. (Interestingly, Inbox Zero is not meant to keep your account clear of clutter and unread messages. Instead, the concept targets how much time, energy, and stress you spend with emails.)
According to a 2019 study from Adobe, consumers spend almost six hours each day checking their work and personal email accounts.
With so much time spent interacting with email software, users expect the platforms to be fast, efficient, and easy to understand.
A quick distinction: Email hosting refers to the infrastructure associated with storing and processing of messages, while email clients represent the software interface that lets you read, compose, and send information.
Be sure to spend time with the most popular email clients and webmail programs to figure out which fits your usage style best. The internet is full of free and open-source options for you to try.
While you’re at it, take a look at programs for email marketing, which covers newletter creation and subscriber list management, along with customer relationship and helpdesk platforms that use email to improve your brand’s communications with customers.
In addition to the scores of options you’ll find independently, cPanel and script libraries have collected many of the most popular options right in your web hosting control panel.
Now you should feel confident picking the best email hosting provider for you. Happy sending!
HostingAdvice.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation from many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across the site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). HostingAdvice.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.
Our site is committed to publishing independent, accurate content guided by strict editorial guidelines. Before articles and reviews are published on our site, they undergo a thorough review process performed by a team of independent editors and subject-matter experts to ensure the content’s accuracy, timeliness, and impartiality. Our editorial team is separate and independent of our site’s advertisers, and the opinions they express on our site are their own. To read more about our team members and their editorial backgrounds, please visit our site’s About page.
