Webmail Review

Comparing free webmail providers

Webmail takes the task of reading, writing and sending email from an application that sits in your computer and moves it online, and webmail has been around in one form or another almost since the Internet first became popular. It also fits neatly with the "cloud computing" trend -- doing tasks online and storing data on servers, rather than on your own computer. Using webmail means you can access your emails from any computer, smartphone or tablet, so you can send and receive emails on the go..

Most webmail is free of charge to users, another advantage over email software you install on your own computer. Most computers come with a basic email program. The top-ranked online web-based email services throw in integration with calendars, instant messaging, video phone services and more -- free of charge. Windows 7 comes with Windows Live Hotmail, while the Mac OS X program is called Mail.

The main drawbacks to using webmail are slower speeds and the possibility that the provider's servers will have an outage or simply get overloaded. You also need to be prepared to deal with typical Internet-related issues, such as heavy net traffic. It also helps to have a fast broadband connection.

Glitches can happen to your own computer too, but it's especially frustrating when you lose access to all of your email when it's stored only online. All three major webmail providers (Gmail, Yahoo! Mail and Windows Live Hotmail) have had brief outages when users couldn't access their accounts. One solution is to use both webmail and a desktop email program (called an email client). Additional drawbacks mentioned in reviews include concerns about an increased exposure to spam and viruses and an overabundance of ads.

Most Internet service providers (ISPs) offer free email addresses. You can set up accounts in your computer's email program but also access email online at the ISP's website. The main drawback is that if you change ISPs (or your ISP is bought by another company), you may lose your dedicated email address. Also, some ISPs don't let you keep an email on their server after you've downloaded it to a computer. With a webmail service provider, your primary email address remains the same. Many webmail providers also allow users to import their contacts from other email providers, a benefit highlighted in several reviews.

Some webmail services synchronize between online use and your computer's email client. This can give you the best of both worlds- a permanent email address, the ability to quickly navigate emails on your computer(s), and online access anywhere. The drawback is that some of these webmail services (Yahoo! Mail, for example) carry a fee (*Est. $20 per year).

Reviews say that storage size doesn't distinguish the top webmail providers anymore; they all provide plenty for most users, though Yahoo! Mail is the only webmail that offers unlimited storage. Experts also say webmail users' need seamless integration with online activities, including social media, and optimization for smartphones and tablets. Our "What to Look For" section lists some more of the features reviewers emphasize.

A Facebook email address is an alternative to the "Big 3" webmail providers, and it's received a lot of buzz since its inception. Rolled out to members starting in 2010, the free webmail service integrates emails, instant messages and text messages and is compatible with "traditional" webmail providers, including Gmail, Windows Live Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail. One review focuses on the way Facebook email maximizes conversations pulled from email, instant messages and text messages. However, Patrick Stafford says on SmartCompany.com that Facebook email addresses could be problematic for prospective employees, because they're a direct link to a Facebook profile and possibly "too much" information.

There are lots of helpful reviews about webmail services online. The email guide at About.com compares more than 17 webmail offerings, rating each on a 5-point scale and giving each provider a full review. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.) These reviews are undated, however. The comparison reviews at Web User (a British Internet-centric magazine), PCMag.com and ToMuse.com cover the top contenders in detail and are also excellent resources. We also found several excellent reviews at sites like Which? magazine (Britain's equivalent to ConsumerReports.org) and Business Computing World and on a variety of consumer review websites.