12 Cheapest Email Hosting Services (2025)

Cheapest Email Hosting Services

The cheapest email hosting services worthy of sending and storing your messages can be hard to find — after all, low prices don’t always mean high-quality service.

And given how many businesses use email to promote products and otherwise connect with customers, finding one of the best email hosts without breaking the bank is doubly impressive. In fact, about 80% of small businesses rely on emails as the primary way to attract and retain customers.

You may have to browse tons of websites to get exactly what you need, but our reviews here aim to provide a more detailed and convenient way of finding an email hosting service that is affordable and powerful. Let’s look at some of the most affordable email hosting services available today.

Email Host Comparison Chart

Here’s a quick look at our top picks for the cheapest email hosting providers. We listed and compared prices, storage capacity, and unique features to give you the best preview of each host.

Our Top PicksPriceStorageUnique Features
Bluehost$1.99/month25GB-Unlimited mail filters
-25 email aliases
-Real-time anti-phishing
Hostinger$0.59/month10GB-Support for iOS and Android
-50 email aliases
IONOS
$1.00/month
2GB-Multiple email client support
-Up to 500 email accounts
-Marketing tools available
A2 Hosting$1.99/month10GB-Unlimited email addresses
-Spam protection and email import
SiteGround$2.99/month10GB-Responsive support
-Unlimited accounts
-Daily backups

Read on below for in-depth reviews of the cheapest email hosting services.

1. Hostinger ($0.59/month) — Cheapest Email Hosting

Whether you’re looking for web hosting or email services, you’ll find that Hostinger has some of the most affordable prices on the market. Its entry-level email package has a starting price of $2.69 per month, making it the cheapest email host on the list. But that’s not to say its features are anywhere near subpar.

Hostinger.com

Hostinger review

Monthly Starting Price $0.59

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  • Easily import contacts, messages, and calendars
  • Antivirus checks and anti-spam
  • 1-click integrations with 50+ productivity tools
  • Support for IMAP, POP3, and SMTP
  • Less than $1 per mailbox per month!
  • Get started on Hostinger now.
Our Expert’s Review ★★★★★ 4.8/5.0

Laura Bernheim

Laura Bernheim

Laura Bernheim, Contributing Expert

Laura has spent more than 12 years crafting engaging and award-winning articles that share the passion behind organizations’ products, people, and innovations. As a long-time HostingAdvice contributing expert, she combines a reputation for producing quality content with rich technical expertise to show experienced developers how to capitalize on emerging technologies and find better ways to work with established platforms. A professional journalist, Laura has contributed to The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, the Sun Sentinel, and the world’s top hosting providers.

(HostingAdvice.com): 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 »

Money Back Guarantee Disk Space Domain Name Setup Time
30 days 10 GB SSD – 50 GB SSD FREE (1 year) 3 minutes

Hostinger’s email hosting service is unbelievably cheap, considering the benefits it comes with. This email host combines a strong suite of email hosting options with fast and reliable website hosting.

Pros

  • Antivirus checks and email spam protection
  • Send up to 3,000 emails a day
  • Support for iOS and Android
  • Domain-based email addresses

Cons

  • No free domain with base plan
  • Extra cost for each additional mailbox
  • No email storage distribution between accounts

Hostinger enables you to boost your sending power and productivity. Built with scalable storage, Hostinger allows you to send up to 3,000 emails a day and set up to 50 automatic forwarding rules. Its email servers also support IMAP, POP3, and SMTP by default, so you can use any email client you want.

Even better, Hostinger’s migration tool means you won’t lose your previous emails when you subscribe to Hostinger’s email hosting service. You can manage all your previous, current, and future emails safely and quickly from the host’s easy-to-use webmail platform.

When it comes to security, Hostinger protects your accounts from spam emails, malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. Learn more in our review.

2. IONOS ($1.00/month) — Cheap Plans for Business

Email services are commonly bundled into basic web hosting packages, which makes for a killer bargain. Some of the veteran hosting providers, however, have plans specifically targeting email hosting customers. IONOS sets the bar high with business email plans starting at $1.00 per month.

IONOS.com

IONOS review

Monthly Starting Price $1.00

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  • 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 IONOS now.
Our Expert’s Review ★★★★★ 4.8/5.0

Alexandra Anderson

Alexandra Anderson

Alexandra Anderson, Contributing Expert

Alexandra is a web marketer, Agile Product Owner, and die-hard wordsmith who’s contributed to HostingAdvice, InMotion Hosting, HostGator, and other prominent hosting and technology blogs, as well as Forbes. She has a master’s degree in information technology from Virginia Tech and more than 10 years of experience building websites, advising on web and mobile app design, and crafting content that engages and converts. Her primary subject matter expertise spans WordPress, UX design, Agile project management, and, of course, web hosting.

(HostingAdvice.com): If the budget factor is on your mind when searching for a web host, rest easy. 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 »

Money Back Guarantee Disk Space Domain Name Setup Time
30 days 10 GB – Unlimited FREE (1 year) 4 minutes

The company’s business email hosting plans give you plenty of room to grow your customer base and include a wide range of features to keep your business running smoothly.

Pros

  • Multiple email client support
  • Email address book
  • Anti-phishing protection

Cons

  • Poor spam filtering
  • One email account per shared hosting plan

You also get a free domain name for the first year of your subscription — or longer for premium plan holders. While the IONOS email service is ideal for small businesses, the company services mid-size to enterprise clients with Microsoft Exchange and Google Workspace packages.

3. A2 Hosting ($1.99/month) — Best Overall Service

A2 Hosting is known for its supercharged servers and a lengthy list of compatible technologies.

The web host offers four main web hosting plans, each featuring email accounts and ample SSD storage. Most plans come with unlimited storage and automatic backups, with the Turbo Boost and Turbo Max plans promising speeds up to 20 times faster.

Affordability aside, A2 Hosting also comes with the following features:

A2Hosting.com

A2 Hosting review

Monthly Starting Price $1.99

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  • 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 85% off today (was $7.99/month)
  • Get started on A2 Hosting now.
Our Expert’s Review ★★★★★ 4.9/5.0

Alexandra Anderson

Alexandra Anderson

Alexandra Anderson, Contributing Expert

Alexandra is a web marketer, Agile Product Owner, and die-hard wordsmith who’s contributed to HostingAdvice, InMotion Hosting, HostGator, and other prominent hosting and technology blogs, as well as Forbes. She has a master’s degree in information technology from Virginia Tech and more than 10 years of experience building websites, advising on web and mobile app design, and crafting content that engages and converts. Her primary subject matter expertise spans WordPress, UX design, Agile project management, and, of course, web hosting.

(HostingAdvice.com): 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 programs, along with autoresponders and forwarding. Go to full review »

Money Back Guarantee Disk Space Domain Name Setup Time
30 days 10 GB SSD – Unlimited SSD New or Transfer 4 minutes

Another A2 Hosting benefit is its advanced spam filtering feature, which routes incoming messages to be scanned for potential viruses and spam. If the mail server detects spam or viruses in the email, it redirects the email to a separate storage for retrieval if necessary.

Pros

  • Unlimited email addresses
  • Spam protection and email import
  • Webmail and native apps for iOS and Android
  • Secure POP3, IMAP, and SMTP messaging

Cons

  • Limit of 500 emails per day on base plan
  • High renewal costs

On the other hand, if the email passes the security test, it is then successfully delivered to your inbox. This security feature minimizes the risk of receiving and opening emails that contain malicious attachments, links, and other common threats.

A2 Hosting provides an exhaustive list of one-click software installations that simplify tasks you’re looking to accomplish. The company covers all your emailing needs for subscriber list management, email marketing, webmail interfaces, and much more.

Our A2 Hosting review provides more details about this hosting service provider.

4. Bluehost ($1.99/month) — Best Email/Web Hosting Bundle

Bluehost has been around since 2003 and boasts more than 2 million domains under management. Web hosting aside, this giant hosting company also provides email hosting services at affordable rates.

As with the other providers we’ve covered so far, Bluehost’s primary goal is to provide web hosting services that accommodate every aspect of the site owner’s needs. The email hosting option comes as part of the many benefits of hosting your website on Bluehost servers.

Bluehost.com

Bluehost review

Monthly Starting Price $1.99

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  • FREE domain and unlimited emails
  • Secure email with 3 webmail solutions
  • FREE spam filtering and antivirus scans
  • Google Workspace integration available
  • Shared Calendar, Contacts, and Tasks
  • Get started on Bluehost now.
Our Expert’s Review ★★★★ 4.9/5.0

Ryan Frankel

Ryan Frankel

Ryan Frankel, CTO and Contributing Expert

Ryan began developing websites in the late ’90s and has personally tested just about every web host and cloud platform worth trying on the market today. With a masters degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Florida, he leverages his extensive knowledge of hardware, software, and their engineering relationship to inform HostingAdvice readers of the technical implications of their hosting choices. Ryan’s subject matter expertise includes, but is not limited to, WordPress, cloud infrastructure management, product UI/UX design, and popular web development languages such as JavaScript and PHP.

(HostingAdvice.com): 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 »

Money Back Guarantee Disk Space Domain Name Setup Time
30 days 10 GB SSD – 100 GB SSD FREE (1 year) 5 minutes

Each Bluehost account comes with a 3-month free trial of professional email hosting — which gives you ample opportunity to discover the interfaces and features that are most important to your email workflows. A Google Workspace integration is also available to all hosting users.

Pros

  • Unlimited mail filters
  • Syncing across devices
  • Real-time anti-phishing
  • Antivirus and spam protection
  • 3-month free trial with web hosting plan

Cons

  • No monthly payment plan available unless hosting is included
  • Pay add-on costs with web hosting plan
  • Not ideal for bulk email deliverability

What’s more, Bluehost’s domain manager and account management tools make it easy to update, transfer, purchase, and manage your domain names, so you can seamlessly connect your professional email addresses.

Learn more about this web hosting service in our detailed Bluehost review.

5. HostGator ($2.29/month) — Cheapest Email with Advanced Security

HostGator makes our list as one of the world’s most popular web hosts. For less than $3 per month, HostGator’s robust email hosting plan comes with a free custom domain and a host of other exciting features — namely, a custom-built website builder.

Before we even look at the company’s email hosting service, let’s check out some of the key features you can expect from this plan.

HostGator.com

HostGator review

Monthly Starting Price $2.29

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  • 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.
Our Expert’s Review ★★★★★ 4.5/5.0

Ryan Frankel

Ryan Frankel

Ryan Frankel, CTO and Contributing Expert

Ryan began developing websites in the late ’90s and has personally tested just about every web host and cloud platform worth trying on the market today. With a masters degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Florida, he leverages his extensive knowledge of hardware, software, and their engineering relationship to inform HostingAdvice readers of the technical implications of their hosting choices. Ryan’s subject matter expertise includes, but is not limited to, WordPress, cloud infrastructure management, product UI/UX design, and popular web development languages such as JavaScript and PHP.

(HostingAdvice.com): 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 to provide reliable and secure sending environments. Go to full review »

Money Back Guarantee Disk Space Domain Name Setup Time
30 days 10 GB SSD – 40 GB SSD FREE (1 year) 4 minutes

For those who need extra help on the design front, the company’s proprietary drag-and-drop builder, HostGator, will help you visually create and customize your site’s look and feel.

Use one of HostGator’s 4,500 templates to inspire a cohesive design for your brand, one that translates into the integrated email marketing platform.

Pros

  • Webmail, iOS, and Android apps
  • Data encryption and two-factor authentication
  • 1-click email import
  • Auto-responders, Calendar, and Contacts
  • 1-month free trial with hosting plan

Cons

  • Cost not included in web hosting plan bill
  • Limit of 900 email addresses for mail lists

You can add lead capture forms and landing pages to your site, then set up automated transactional emails to further attract and engage your audience.

If you need a little more oomph with your email, HostGator also sells Google Workspace subscriptions — with all the communication, collaboration, storage, and management tools you’ll need.

HostGator, which we’ve found to be reliable for pretty much everything, offers a longer-than-average 45-day money-back guarantee. More information is available in our review of HostGator’s web hosting service.

6. InMotion Hosting ($2.29/month) — Cheap Email Hosting With Powerful SSDs

InMotion Hosting describes itself as “the last host you’ll need.” For less than $3 per month, which is ideal for beginners and WordPress users, you can create a free email address on this platform.

For that low price, you unlock the full version of the company’s shared hosting plan — one of the most technologically advanced in the industry. InMotion Hosting also offers VPS hosting and dedicated server plans.

The free email account, offered on all plans, comes with the following features:

InMotionHosting.com

InMotion review

Monthly Starting Price $2.29

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  • 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.
Our Expert’s Review ★★★★★ 4.9/5.0

PJ Fancher

PJ Fancher

PJ Fancher, Contributing Expert

PJ is a professional web developer with more than 20 years of experience. His background began with writing small web applications using Perl, PHP, and MySQL in 1998. He has well-rounded experience with all aspects of web development, from server and database configuration to scripting, styling, design, and SEO.

(HostingAdvice.com): 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 »

Money Back Guarantee Disk Space Domain Name Setup Time
90 days 100 GB SSD – Unlimited SSD FREE (1 year) 5 minutes

Under shared hosting, InMotion Hosting plans come in four categories: Lite, Launch, Power, and Pro. All four plans feature high-powered SSD drives, unlimited bandwidth, and free email addresses — all perfect for running a successful WordPress website.

Pros

  • Free domain registration
  • Choice of 10 to unlimited domain-based email addresses
  • Email on any device
  • Ample storage per inbox for higher-tiered plans

Cons

  • Inconsistent customer support
  • High renewal costs

InMotion optimizes WordPress performance through the NGINX web server, modern versions of PHP, and a complimentary content delivery network to speed up load times. With automatic security patches and updates, plus a free SSL certificate, the host frees you up to focus on running your site.

InMotion’s Security Suite comes with automatic backups, hack and malware scans, plus DDoS protection. In layman’s language, DDoS protection distinguishes a malware attack from regular traffic.

We regularly rank InMotion among our favorite web and email hosts for its powerful hardware, friendly support, and helpful account management portal that comes with wizards for everything from changing your MX record to connecting a Google Workspace account.

Find out more about InMotion Hosting in our review.

7. DreamHost ($2.59/month) — Unlimited Email Hosting for Business

If you own a small business, DreamHost has an email hosting platform specifically tailored for your business needs. This popular web host offers two email hosting options: a web and email hosting combo and Google Workspace packages.

While the plans present solid deals on professional email hosting, DreamHost’s web hosting plan has even more affordable capabilities. Customers get unlimited email accounts with the highest tier shared hosting plan, as well as autoresponders and forwarders.

DreamHost.com

DreamHost review

Monthly Starting Price $2.59

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  • Automated malware scans
  • Unlimited domain hosting
  • Unlimited email accounts with POP/IMAP/SMTP
  • FREE eCommerce store tools and PCI compliance
  • Streamlined proprietary control panel
  • Get started on DreamHost now.
Our Expert’s Review ★★★★★ 4.8/5.0

Laura Bernheim

Laura Bernheim

Laura Bernheim, Contributing Expert

Laura has spent more than 12 years crafting engaging and award-winning articles that share the passion behind organizations’ products, people, and innovations. As a long-time HostingAdvice contributing expert, she combines a reputation for producing quality content with rich technical expertise to show experienced developers how to capitalize on emerging technologies and find better ways to work with established platforms. A professional journalist, Laura has contributed to The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, the Sun Sentinel, and the world’s top hosting providers.

(HostingAdvice.com): While DreamHost’s price might be a little steep compared to other high-value hosting providers, the company gives customers ample time and reasons to get hooked and stick around. The company, which started in the founders’ dorm room in 1997, offers an industry-leading 97-day money-back guarantee. Go to full review »

Money Back Guarantee Disk Space Domain Name Setup Time
97 days Unlimited FREE (1 year) 4 minutes

The first thing DreamHost promises is a direct path to easily establish email addresses that match domain names. This aspect is crucial if you own a business, whether big or small, and you want to send out transactional emails to clients without losing your identity.

Pros

  • Ample storage per mailbox
  • Ad-free webmail accounts
  • Free inbound spam filtering
  • Mobile and desktop sync

Cons

  • Extra cost for each additional mailbox
  • Pay add-on cost to include web hosting

You can attach your unlimited inboxes to multiple domains — and DreamHost will even foot the bill for one of your registrations. Easily integrate with a leading email marketing platform, check your messages on any device, and rely on DreamHost’s virus scans to keep your inbox safe.

In addition to the features mentioned above, iPage guarantees 100% uptime for email accounts, including protection from malware and spam emails. This email host also lets you access your email accounts from any web browser.

Check out our comprehensive DreamHost review for more details.

8. SiteGround ($2.99/month) — Best Unlimited Email Hosting

SiteGround has been gaining ground over the past few years, thanks to its excellent reputation when it comes to speed and customer service. This web host serves more than 2 million customers worldwide.

The company’s shared hosting plan comes in three categories: StartUp, GrowBig, and GoGeek — all of which include unlimited free email accounts.

Before we dig deeper into the details of SiteGround’s email service, let’s take a look at what $2.99 per month gets you.

SiteGround.com

SiteGround review

Monthly Starting Price $2.99

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  • Unlimited email hosting at your domain
  • Built in webmail interface compatible with multiple webmail and email clients
  • Secure email protocols and anti-spam solutions
  • Easy management with Site Tools
  • Ideal for business email hosting with 99.9% uptime
  • Get started on SiteGround now.
Our Expert’s Review ★★★★★ 5.0/5.0

Alexandra Anderson

Alexandra Anderson

Alexandra Anderson, Contributing Expert

Alexandra is a web marketer, Agile Product Owner, and die-hard wordsmith who’s contributed to HostingAdvice, InMotion Hosting, HostGator, and other prominent hosting and technology blogs, as well as Forbes. She has a master’s degree in information technology from Virginia Tech and more than 10 years of experience building websites, advising on web and mobile app design, and crafting content that engages and converts. Her primary subject matter expertise spans WordPress, UX design, Agile project management, and, of course, web hosting.

(HostingAdvice.com): 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 »

Money Back Guarantee Disk Space Domain Name Setup Time
30 days 10 GB SSD – 40 GB SSD FREE (1 Year) 6 minutes

SiteGround’s hosting platform lets you create unlimited email addresses, forwarders, and autoresponders at no extra cost. It also grants you access to a user-friendly webmail interface to manage your messages from one platform.

Pros

  • Responsive customer support
  • Unlimited email accounts with every plan
  • Free email migrator and domain registration
  • Built-in daily backups

Cons

  • High renewal costs per plan
  • Several upsells within account dashboard

The top-rated web host pairs excellently with WordPress, even offering managed services for the content management system and WooCommerce-based online stores.

Even better, we adore SiteGround for its approach to customer service. The web hosting company doesn’t promise 24/7 support and delivers lengthy delays in getting a response, unlike an unfortunate number of hosting providers.

Instead, SiteGround promises a reply in one minute or less to phone and chat inquiries, with email tickets receiving a response within 15 minutes. Issues are resolved at first contact 90% of the time.

Click here to learn more about SiteGround.

9. Rackspace ($2.99/month) — Email Hosting for Enterprise

Rackspace has some of the best features you could ever wish for in an email hosting service. Largely trusted by businesses for its premier and powerful cloud solutions, Rackspace lends its dedicated customer support expertise to email hosting.

With this service, you can access your emails from anywhere, anytime, and from any device connected to the internet. Here’s a list of some of the best features in their basic plan, which costs $2.99 per month.

a screenshot of Rackspace email webpage

As do most other email hosts, Rackspace uses Internet Message Access Protocol, or IMAP, for effective and instant cross-platform messaging.

Pros

  • 14-day free trial
  • Spam and virus protection
  • Free and easy migrations
  • Compatible with Outlook and mobile
  • Ample storage per mailbox

Cons

  • No shared calendar and contacts included in base plan
  • No ActiveSync across desktop and mobile with base plan

Unlike most email hosting services we have reviewed so far, Rackspace email comes with a free 14-day trial and does not have long-term commitments. You can cancel your subscription anytime and for any reason.

The basic plan comes with a large mailbox and all the basics. You’ll have to upgrade to one of the higher-tier plans if you need features such as instant messaging, calendars, contacts, Microsoft Office compatibility, and more storage space.

Windows users will especially appreciate the included ActiveSync across mobile and desktop devices, along with Microsoft-compatible productivity apps. Follow this link to learn more about Rackspace Email.

10. Kamatera ($4.00/month) — Best Email Hosting Free Trial

Kamatera is my favorite choice for enterprises that are looking for customizable cloud hosting with email. You don’t have to pay a cent for the first 30 days after signup — as long as your server customizations cost less than $100 a month.

Kamatera.com

Kamatera review

Monthly Starting Price $4.00

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  • Ultimate scalability with limitless customizations
  • Create and deploy servers in 60 seconds
  • Easily add load balancers and firewalls
  • Stellar 99.95% uptime guarantee
  • Sign up today for a 30-day FREE trial
  • Get started on Kamatera now.
Our Expert’s Review ★★★★★ 4.8/5.0

Laura Bernheim

Laura Bernheim

Laura Bernheim, Contributing Expert

Laura has spent more than 12 years crafting engaging and award-winning articles that share the passion behind organizations’ products, people, and innovations. As a long-time HostingAdvice contributing expert, she combines a reputation for producing quality content with rich technical expertise to show experienced developers how to capitalize on emerging technologies and find better ways to work with established platforms. A professional journalist, Laura has contributed to The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, the Sun Sentinel, and the world’s top hosting providers.

(HostingAdvice.com): Starting with more than 60 operating system images to choose from, Kamatera is a strong option for developers who know exactly what environment works best for their project. Customize your cloud server as needed and deploy in less than a minute. Go to full review »

Setup Time Disk Space CPU RAM
5 minutes 20 GB SSD – 4 TB SSD 1 – 32 cores 1 GB – 128 GB

After your free trial, plans start at just $4.00 a month. You can customize the amount of RAM, bandwidth, CPUs, operating system, and data center location.

Pros

  • Scalable cloud infrastructure
  • Customizable email hosting configurations
  • High availability
  • Ideal for enterprise-level accounts

Cons

  • Technical knowledge may be required
  • Extra costs for add-ons, such as backups and managed services

Kamatera is not your typical email host. It’s ideal for organizations that need above-average customization and scalability, such as enterprises and healthcare organizations. However, for someone running a blog with a monthly newsletter, it’s not the ideal choice.

These folks are best off choosing an email plan from a budget web hosting provider, such as IONOS, A2 Hosting, or Hostinger.

11. Microsoft Exchange ($4.00/user/month) — Reliable Business-Class Service

It’s no surprise that one of the world’s leading tech companies has found its way onto this list. For just $4.00 a month, Microsoft offers a secure, reliable business-class email service through Exchange that comes with up to 100GB of storage space per user.

With Exchange Online, the most affordable option, users can connect their accounts to the familiar supported versions of Microsoft Outlook applications or rely on the web-based client.

a screenshot of Microsoft Exchange webpage

Below are some additional features to expect from Microsoft’s email hosting service:

Pros

  • Advanced email filters and organization
  • Large email size capacity
  • Built-in data loss prevention policies
  • Spam and malware protection

Cons

  • Productivity tools are only included in highest tier
  • Pricey compared to other hosts on the list
  • Some initial setup complexity

To secure this low price, however, you’ll need to make an annual commitment when you first sign up for Microsoft Exchange. If you are looking for monthly payments, Microsoft’s email hosting service may not be the best option for you.

One more thing: The lower-tiered email hosting plans do not inherently come with other Microsoft products such as Office applications, cloud storage, or video conferencing. For that, you’ll need to sign up for the highest tiered (and more expensive) subscription.

To learn more about hosting with Microsoft Exchange Email, visit this page.

12. Google Workspace ($7.00/user/month) — Best Features for Small Business

Another tech giant, Google, has one of the best email hosting services offered through its Google Workspace platform, formerly known as G Suite.

The company’s email hosting service is just one of the many benefits offered by different plans on this platform, which includes all productivity and collaboration apps on its plans: Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, and Enterprise.

a screenshot of Google Workspace webpage

The Business Starter plan costs $7.00 per month — a bit more expensive than others on this list. So what does this plan have to offer? Let’s take a look.

Pros

  • A complete suite of collaboration tools
  • User access and permissions control
  • Custom business email addresses
  • Spam and phishing protection
  • Smart suggestions for crafting messages

Cons

  • Pricey compared to other plans on the list
  • No offline option for apps

Google needs no introduction when it comes to cloud hosting services, or even email. Gmail cornered 30% of the email client market in 2024, making it by far the most popular browser-based option.

Google’s email hosting services may be expensive when compared with the others we have reviewed so far, but the packages come with additional benefits that boost overall value.

Gmail’s smooth onboarding process has gained global popularity. Chances are users know a thing or two about Google Workspace and have already interacted with the platform’s super-simple interfaces.

We never hesitate to recommend a powerhouse, such as Google, that perfectly blends cutting-edge technologies with incredibly user-friendly experiences.

What Is Email Hosting?

In simple terms, email hosting refers to a service in which a hosting provider rents out portions of its servers to its customers.

Every email you receive or send must first pass through an email server. When you think about a mail server, it basically works like your neighborhood mailman. Your mail has to go through the mailman to reach its destination.

Definition of email hosting with envelope icon

This is exactly what mail servers do, and the only difference is their actions are faster and invisible. The server can even scan the email for malicious elements and then decide if the mail is incoming or outgoing.

A web server receives browser requests and delivers a website to visitors, while a mail server receives, routes, and delivers email messages.

SMTP, meaning Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, is the method through which mail servers send and receive emails. User-level email clients (like Gmail, Yahoo, or Apple Mail) typically use an SMTP service to get your message to a server for delivery.

Incoming emails, on the other hand, typically use POP3 or IMAP. Post Office Protocol 3 (POP3) stores an incoming message on a server and then deletes it when an email program downloads the email, meaning you can only access your communication from one device.

Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP), however, enables mail servers to store a copy of your email so it can be accessed from a variety of sources. Most hosts support all three protocols: SMTP, POP3, and IMAP.

What Does an Email Hosting Provider Do?

Email hosting providers manage the servers that contain the email accounts of their clients. Such companies provide powerful tools created to make the transfer of emails from one party to another even more effective.

Emails help in marketing, mobilizing, and triggering a particular reaction from the recipients. Beyond the mail server implementation, the various related features a web hosting service provider offers make a huge difference in the world of digital marketing.

Some high-quality features to keep an eye out for:

  • Clients: No, not your customers. An email client refers to the interface through which you access your inbox. Many webmail platforms, including Roundcube and Horde, are free. Others, like Google Workspace’s Gmail and Microsoft Exchange, usually require a fee.
  • Dedicated IP address: Most low-cost email hosting relies on shared IP addresses, which means hundreds or thousands of users are sending messages with the same server address. That’s generally fine, unless someone becomes a spammer and gets the address blacklisted. A dedicated IP address is just what it sounds like — an identifier only your email traffic can use.
  • Marketing add-ons: Once you set up your inbox, who will you email? Look for one-click software installations and integrations for tools like forms, subscriber list managers, marketing automation, CRM software, and other related programs.
  • Productivity and collaboration: Will you want to connect your online calendar to your email? What about videoconferencing, shared documents, and the like? Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 are the obvious choices here, but there are plenty of others out there.

An email hosting service, therefore, is well-equipped with the right tools and technologies to achieve such goals.

This type of hosting provider is also responsible for providing security and other protections for email accounts. As discussed earlier, an email host protects its client’s accounts from cybercrimes such as phishing, sending malicious files, and spam.

What Is the Cheapest Email Hosting Service?

Email hosting services come with different packages and features. Therefore, it is not easy to conclude that a particular web hosting plan is always going to be the cheapest or best option for everyone’s needs.

That being said, here are some of the most affordable options we’ve found that let you connect your email address to a custom domain name:

  • Cheapest overall: Hostinger ($0.59 per month)
  • Cheap plans for business: IONOS ($1.00 per month)
  • Cheap unlimited email: SiteGround ($2.99 per month)
  • Cheap plans with advanced security: HostGator ($2.29 per month)
  • Cheapest email with powerful SSDS: InMotion Hosting ($2.29 per month)

Some of these email hosts may appear even cheaper thanks to a promotion. You’ll always want to pay attention to renewal prices, of course, because the prices may not be the same once your initial term ends.

However, the fluctuating prices do not necessarily mean that these email hosting services are not affordable; it simply means that given the competition in the market, what may be considered cheapest today could drop to second position tomorrow.

For example, at the moment, Hostinger is the cheapest web host out there. Tomorrow, or maybe a year later, things could be different.

Can I Get Email Hosting for Free?

You can get email hosting for free when you purchase a cheap web hosting plan from one of the providers we listed above. These plans usually come with premium features, such as a free domain name to match your website’s branding.

Alternatively, you can sign up for a free email provider like Gmail or Yahoo. However, these free providers don’t come with the same premium features as a paid email host. You’ll have less storage, fewer features, and a non-custom email domain, such as example@gmail.com.

Why Do I Need a Cheap Email Hosting Provider?

First, you need a cheap email hosting provider to save money. After all, who would turn down the chance to save money without compromising the quality of service?

Second, just because you’ve found a cheap email hosting provider does not mean you won’t need other related services. For example, you may need to register your domain or even buy a theme to build a website.

If you start with a provider that emphasizes affordable emailing, chances are they’ll have favorable rates on the other stuff as well.

Check out our list of the largest domain registrars in the world. This should help you get started whenever you need a domain to create your professional email address.

How Do I Choose the Best Email Hosting Plan?

With more than an estimated 4 billion active email users worldwide, email communication is even more popular than social media, which tallies an estimated 3.8 billion users.

The best email hosting package for you depends on several factors. Before choosing a plan, ask yourself the following questions:

  • What is your budget?
  • What features do you consider essential to your email hosting needs?
  • How frequently do you communicate via email?
  • How many email accounts do you want to create?
  • How big are the files you wish to transfer via email?
  • The answers to these questions will guide you in finding the best email hosting plan for your needs.

For example, if you want to create multiple email accounts and have no definite number in mind, you may consider an email hosting plan that offers unlimited email accounts.

Examples of email hosting services that offer unlimited email account packages include Hostgator, Bluehost, and Rackspace, among others. You only need to compare their plans and choose what’s best for you.

How Much Does It Cost to Host an Email Server? What About an Email Address?

As discussed above, the cost of hosting an email address varies depending on various factors. The features of the hosting plan, for example, could drastically influence the price.

There is no standard price for email address hosting. You could find something as cheap as $0.59 per month like Hostinger, while others will likely cost more.

However, given the demand for email hosting, anything below $10 per month is relatively cheap — assuming the plan comes with the features to justify the higher price tag.

Therefore, for less than $10 a month, you can always get a cheap email hosting service that doesn’t skimp on quality. On the other hand, setting up a private email server can cost hundreds of dollars, plus double figures each month to oversee.

What Is the Best Email Hosting Provider for a Small Business?

When it comes to the best email hosting for small businesses, Google Workspace takes the crown.

The email hosting provider needs no introduction in this industry. If you know how to use Gmail, you shouldn’t have a problem using the business-grade email hosting service.

Google Workspace has four pricing plans:

  • Business Starter
  • Business Standard
  • Business Plus
  • Enterprise

The best thing about all these plans is that they include the full suite of productivity tools from Google, such as video and voice conferencing, shared calendars, spreadsheets, and more.

In one way or another, you will need the products mentioned above when running your small business.

Hostinger’s Business Email Plan is also worth checking out. With 10GB worth of email storage, a free antivirus check, and one-click imports, this plan is our top-recommended cheap email hosting service for small businesses.

Hostinger’s basic email plan costs $0.59 per month even after renewal, making it the most affordable email plan for the long haul.

Do I Need Web Hosting for Email?

Well… sorta. You need email hosting, but the service often goes hand in hand with web hosting.

Remember: Web hosting involves the tools needed to run your website, while email hosting focuses on sending, receiving, and storing messages.

Nearly 376.5 billion emails are sent each day, with nearly three-quarters of millennials preferring email as their favorite way to interact with a business.

Email hosting is one of the best ways to attain scalability for your email needs. When your small business expands, so does your email hosting plan.

The best part of this expansion is that it can be done with just a few clicks of a button!

Pair a Free Domain With the Cheapest Email Hosting Services

One of the best ways to find cheap web hosting is to look for that one web host that provides the kind of services you need, all under one roof.

Finding the cheapest email hosting services is not enough, especially if you spend more money on other products that you need to run your website or blog.

For example, after spending hours or even days looking for a cheap email hosting service and finally finding one, you may also need the following services:

  • Domain registration
  • Website theme installation
  • Premium tools and plugins
  • Web hosting security

The good news is you can always find cheap web hosting deals on HostingAdvice.com. Our in-depth reviews explain exactly what you need to know about these web hosting companies, their services, pros and cons, and compatibility with your hosting needs.

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