- What is Gmail?
- Gmail is Google's web email service, used as a free personal account or as the mail client in Google Workspace.
- What does it do?
- Sends, receives and searches mail in the browser and mobile apps, with spam filtering, labels, filters and threaded conversations. Ties into Google Calendar, Drive, Chat and Meet from the same account.
- Who is it for?
- Individuals and organisations already inside Google's ecosystem, plus anyone who wants email that needs no setup. Not the pick if you want end-to-end encryption or a provider outside the big platforms.
- What are the alternatives to Gmail?
- Proton Mail and Tutanota are built around end-to-end encryption, Fastmail is an independent provider that sticks to standard IMAP and CalDAV, and HEY rethinks the inbox itself with screening and triage.
Top alternatives
Smaller, founder-led tools that quietly compete with Gmail.
German privacy-friendly email.
Mail hosted in Germany, with PGP support and no ad profiling of your inbox.