Important factors to consider when choosing a free webmail provider

Even among free choices, there are lots of differences among webmail providers. Here's what the experts recommend you consider when choosing a webmail service:

  • Speed: With the services evening out in terms of features, the amount of time it takes to log in and check messages is an important consideration, according to several reviewers. Most say that Gmail's stripped-down design gives it the edge on speed.
  • Ads: This is another matter of personal preference. Some users are bothered by the text ads in Gmail and to a greater extent, bothered by the big graphic ads in the free versions of Yahoo! Mail and Windows Live Hotmail.
  • POP/IMAP support: Gmail and Windows Live Hotmail make it easy to download messages to a desktop email client, but doing this with Yahoo! Mail requires a third-party add-in or stepping up to the paid version. Gmail and GMX also offer IMAP support, which synchronizes desktop email with the online version.
  • Extra features: None of the webmail providers offers every feature that every user wants, so reviews suggest checking comparison charts to see which one provides the features you care about most.
  • Spam filtering: Professionals warn that spam can easily accumulate, filling up your mailbox and becoming exhausting to handle. Most email providers offer some sort of protection against junk email, but not all spam filters are equal. Gmail earns better marks than Yahoo! Mail on this score.
  • Outlook integration: How well your webmail works with Outlook, or your preferred email client continues to be important to many, say reviewers. Seamless integration into programs you use for other functions in your daily life makes using webmail effortless.
  • Mobile phone and tablet functionality: Users who rely on their phone, iPad, Android or other device to send and receive email want a flawless interface, say reviewers. Research from comScore, an Internet marketing research company, indicates that more people are moving to mobile email, so a webmail service that works well on the go is crucial.
  • Email organization: This is a matter of personal preference. Tech-savvy users seem to prefer Gmail's system of applying one or more tags to an email, while many users prefer the more familiar drag-and-drop folder organization found in most webmail.
  • Storage space: Reviews say the limits available in the free versions of webmail are ample for even heavy email users. Gmail offers 7 GB and keeps increasing the space. If this isn't sufficient, Yahoo! Mail and AOL offer unlimited storage even with their free versions.
  • Social media integration: Many webmail providers allow users to integrate their Facebook accounts or other social media profiles into their email. The ever-expanding and changing world of social media necessitates ease of use and integration for users.

Back to top