Gmail is practically synonymous with email. It's not just because it's owned by Google (though that helps)—it's also a highly competent email app. But it's far from the only highly competent email app out there. So if you've been using Gmail just because it's Gmail, it might be worth seeing if something else suits you better.
The Zapier team has done extensive testing on apps for basically every device, and we've also conducted head-to-head comparisons of Gmail with a handful of other email apps. The result is the following list of Gmail alternatives, so you can decide which one is best for your inbox.
And hey, if the answer is to stick with Gmail, at least you know.
8 alternatives to Gmail
Microsoft Outlook for Microsoft users
Yahoo Mail for storage
Proton Mail for security
Apple Mail for iPhone and Mac users
Mailbird for Windows (premium)
Windows Mail for Windows (free)
Edison Mail for Android
Shortwave for AI-powered features
The best Gmail alternatives at a glance
Best for | Standout feature | |
|---|---|---|
Microsoft users | Deep integration with Microsoft Office 365 | |
More storage | 1 TB of storage, blowing Gmail out of the water | |
Better security | Offers James Bond-level security features, including password-protected emails | |
iPhone and Mac users | Easy to manage multiple email accounts from different email services | |
Windows users | Lots of great third-party integrations | |
Windows users looking for a free option | Works well as part of a productivity suite, like Gmail | |
Android users | Smart folders automatically group like messages together | |
AI email assistant | AI-powered email search |
A Gmail alternative for Microsoft users
Microsoft Outlook
Outlook pros:
Works great on a lot of devices (including Apple devices)
Deep integration with Microsoft
Outlook cons:
Free version has a cluttered interface with distracting ads
Search feature isn't as good as Gmail's
Both Outlook and Gmail are reliable, multi-functional email services used by millions, so it's not surprising that they'd have more than a few things in common. For example, both offer free plans with plenty of functionality, contact import from other providers, and customizable interfaces. And in both Gmail and Outlook, you'll find predictive text options, reminders, email scheduling, and message templates.
None of those similarities are going to help you make a decision on which one best fits your needs, though.
If storage is a concern for you, Outlook may be the way to go. While both offer 15 GB of storage space for free, your Gmail storage is also shared with Google Drive and Google Photos, so it may disappear more quickly.
When it comes to user interfaces on the free version, Gmail's advertising is far subtler than Outlook's, which plasters ads onto your screen rather than tucking them into your tabs. Gmail also offers a more reliable spam blocker and a more robust search function (it is Google, after all).
If you live in Microsoft apps, though, Outlook is the way to go. That's because Gmail and Outlook integrate with different software suites (Microsoft Office 365 for Outlook and Google Workspace for Gmail). Considering which software you use most can help point you toward one service or the other.
And if you're worried about compatibility with Apple devices, don't—Outlook is one of our picks for the best email apps for both iOS and macOS.
Outlook even integrates with Zapier, so you can do things like automatically send emails for new form entries.
Send Microsoft Outlook emails for new Typeform entries
Create draft emails in Microsoft Outlook for new Google Forms responses
To get started with a Zap template—what we call our pre-made workflows—just click on the button. It only takes a few minutes to set up. You can read more about setting up Zaps here.
Outlook pricing: Free for personal use; Microsoft Basic starts at $19.99/year, which includes more tools, storage, and features.
For a full breakdown of how these two apps stack up, check out Zapier's app showdown: Gmail vs. Outlook.
A Gmail alternative for more storage
Yahoo Mail
Yahoo Mail pros:
1 TB of storage, blowing Gmail out of the water
Yahoo Mail cons:
Obtrusive ads
Lacks some important features and integrations
Another Gmail alternative worth considering is Yahoo Mail. If that's surprising to you, there are roughly 200 million monthly Yahoo Mail users who would like a word. That many people must mean that Yahoo's doing something right.
Let's start with how they're similar. Gmail and Yahoo are modern email clients that provide you with an intuitive web and mobile app, both of which work well on either iOS or Android. Both inboxes are easy to organize, and both allow you to easily opt out of those annoying marketing emails.
Yahoo departs from Gmail, though, in a number of key ways. In addition to suffering from the same obnoxious ad placements as Outlook, Yahoo's integration with other apps tends to fall short. The Yahoo version of Google Workspace is a lackluster calendar, a basic notes app, and a contacts app that, while functional, can't really compete with all the Google offerings. Gmail also offers scheduled sending and smart replies, while Yahoo doesn't. Finally, Yahoo Mail has been the victim of several high-profile hacking attacks. Gmail offers more peace of mind when it comes to security.
So why go with Yahoo? In addition to Yahoo's adequate, if not jaw-dropping, features, I'd answer this question with one word: storage. Instead of Gmail's measly 15 GB, which is likely to be eaten up by Google Drive and Google Photos, Yahoo Mail offers a whopping 1 TB of email storage. If you like to keep every email you've ever gotten without being prompted to fork out a monthly fee to boost your available space, then Yahoo is your go-to.
Yahoo Mail pricing: Free; Yahoo Mail Plus for $5/month, which includes 5 TB of storage and an ad-free email client on the web, but it's a less compelling option.
For more details, check out Zapier's app showdown: Yahoo Mail vs.Gmail.
A Gmail alternative for secure email
Proton Mail
ProtonMail pros:
Much more private and secure than Gmail at its baseline
Also offers James Bond-level security features, including password-protected emails
ProtonMail cons:
Free plan is less generous than Gmail's
User interface isn't as friendly
If the thought of a perfect stranger rummaging through your mailbox puts you on edge, you might want to check out Proton Mail. It's an email service that's built for security and privacy. Based in Switzerland, Proton Mail is subject to much stricter privacy laws than Gmail, which falls under U.S. regulations. Unlike Gmail, Proton Mail won't ask for any personal information during signup or track your metadata.
On top of this, Proton Mail's encryption is much more robust than Gmail's. While Google keeps the encryption keys to your data, nobody at Proton Mail has that sort of access. That's not to suggest that your Gmail inbox is an open book, but your data can be accessed by Google's algorithms (and, of course, whomever Google decides to grant access to). Proton Mail also provides you with some optional, James Bond-level security features like password-protected emails and emails that self-destruct (really, they just self-delete, but self-destruct sounds cooler).
All that security does come with a few drawbacks to consider. Proton Mail's free plan limits you to 150 emails per day (there go your plans to spam Klondike to bring back the Choco Taco). You also get a mere 1 GB of storage, with only three folders and labels to manage your otherwise locked-down data. You can upgrade for more storage and messaging for $5/month, but that won't fix the problem of Proton Mail's less user-friendly interface, which includes blocks on all the images in your incoming emails (to stop folks from tracking your open rates). Still, if privacy is your priority, Proton Mail is definitely your best bet.
Proton Mail pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $5/month.
Learn more about the differences between Gmail vs. Proton Mail.
A Gmail alternative for iPhone and Mac users
Apple Mail
Apple Mail pros:
Great native Apple feel
Easy to manage multiple email accounts from different email services
Apple Mail cons:
Just an email client, not an email service (iCloud is Apple's email service)
The main difference between Gmail and Apple Mail is that while Gmail gives you a full email service (it actually hosts your email), Apple Mail provides you with only an email client (where you read your email). Gmail as an email service is client-agnostic: you can access it via Gmail's web app, iOS app, or Android app—or you can use a different client altogether, like Microsoft Outlook. Apple Mail, on the other hand, is just an app. And it's available only on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. That last one is important, though: Gmail doesn't have a dedicated desktop app (you have to use the web app).
Apple Mail allows you to use practically any email service with it, including Gmail. Its features, which include VIP Inbox, undo send, customized notifications, and email reminders, are available whether you use iCloud Mail, Outlook, Gmail, or another client. That's worth keeping in mind if you use multiple accounts with different services. With Apple Mail, you'll be able to use one interface to access them all.
Apple Mail works best on an Apple device. Not only will the navigation feel more seamless on iOS or macOS, but Apple Mail will also integrate with your system notifications. If you're doing most of your work on an Apple device, then Apple Mail can be a great option. But keep in mind that if you're using Gmail for your email service, some of its most attractive features—like inbox sorting and smart replies—are available only through the Gmail app. You'll also need to use those clients to integrate with Google's other apps, including Calendar, Meet, and Docs.
Apple Mail pricing: Free
Get a full breakdown of how these two apps stack up: Gmail vs. Apple Mail.
A Gmail alternative for Windows
Mailbird
Mailbird pros:
Lots of great third-party integrations
Super customizable
Mailbird cons:
Expensive compared to Gmail's low price of free
If you're looking for a Gmail alternative in a native Windows app, Mailbird is a great choice. Its sleek design can be customized to your liking, and it excels in the essentials of email management with lots of quality-of-life features.
You can snooze emails, undo sent messages, and enjoy a unified inbox—perfect for heavy email users and those with multiple accounts. Mailbird also shines with its third-party integrations, allowing you to incorporate personal and productivity apps like WhatsApp, Slack, Dropbox, and Google Calendar.
Just keep in mind: you should be ready to invest a bit more—the cheapest plan is $40/year.
Mailbird pricing: Standard plan is $40/year; Premium plan is $59/year, which includes third-party integrations and email templates.
A free Gmail alternative for Windows
Windows Mail
Windows Mail pros:
Works well as part of a productivity suite, like Gmail
Basic but functional
Windows Mail cons:
Being discontinued at the end of 2024 in favor of Outlook
If Mailbird's price point doesn't work for you, another Gmail alternative for Windows users is Windows Mail. And it comes at the low, low price of free.
Mail is one of the best basic email apps out there. It follows familiar email conventions and adds a few clever features. The Focused Inbox automatically filters important messages, saving your friends and family from getting lost in the sea of newsletters. It includes a calendar and integrates with Microsoft To Do for a more comprehensive productivity experience. Plus, you'll find customization options hidden in the settings, allowing you to personalize themes, colors, notifications, and even set up auto-responders in just a few clicks.
If you're a Windows user looking for a free Gmail alternative, give Mail a shot. It may not offer advanced filters or extensive integrations with other services, but for most people, it does the trick. Just keep in mind that Microsoft has announced that Windows Mail will be replaced with Outlook for Windows at the end of 2024.
Windows Mail pricing: Free
A Gmail alternative for Android
Edison Mail
Edison Mail pros:
AI-powered Assistant to handle email management tasks
Smart folders automatically group like messages together
Edison Mail cons:
Might be more than you're looking for if you just want simple email
Edison Mail is fast, modern, and user-friendly: it organizes your inbox into a Focused Inbox for important emails and an Other folder to manage the rest. But that's just part of what makes it a great Gmail alternative—the real sorting power lies within the AI-powered Assistant feature.
By default, Edison identifies and tracks your subscriptions, showing you how often you open them. This makes it easier to decide if you want to unsubscribe or receive daily or weekly summary emails with a single tap. It also extracts travel confirmations, package tracking emails, and bills, and then automatically surfaces relevant information, such as displaying hotel details before check-in or reminding you of upcoming bills.
Edison Mail pricing: Free; Edison Mail+ is $100/year, which includes AI-powered security features.
A Gmail alternative for AI-powered features
Shortwave
Shortwave pros:
Deep integration with Google Calendar
AI assistant is very flexible
Shortwave cons:
Interface feels cluttered at times
Shortwave touts itself as the "smartest email app" on the market because of the way it leverages AI. The most unique possibility it offers is AI-powered email search. You can ask questions to your inbox to surface old, forgotten conversations without actually having to get lost in the mess.
More than this, it can extract data from email threads ("make a list of all the tasks in the website redesign project"), generate content ("write a tweet based on my emails about productivity"), or answer your questions ChatGPT-style.
Shortwave also integrates with Google Calendar. This means you can schedule meetings or new events with as simple a prompt as "schedule a meeting for me and Felix tomorrow at 11 a.m." The meeting will then automatically appear in your calendar without you having to do anything else. And if you don't know your availability, just ask the AI assistant, and you'll get a breakdown of your open slots for the near future.
The only downside: Shortwave is compatible with only Gmail accounts, so if you're doing email with other providers, you'll have to sit out (for now).
Shortwave pricing: Free plan available; Personal plan for $7/month (billed annually) for gmail.com and .edu accounts only.
For even more options, check out Zapier's roundup of the best AI email assistants.
Are there other Gmail alternatives?
You bet. Those are just some of the commonly-compared-to-Gmail apps available. For other Gmail alternatives, take a look at our roundups for the best email apps across all the platforms:
And remember, you can still use Gmail as an email service (meaning you'd have an @gmail.com account) for almost any email app you choose—the app will just change where you get those emails.
What's the best Gmail alternative?
Choosing the right email app really comes down to clarifying your priorities. What do you most want out of an email client? Security? Storage? Design? App integration? Each of these apps will deliver each of these features, just to varying degrees and with varying results.
If you're still on the fence, you might think about downloading a bunch of them to see which option works best. Seeing the same email in a bunch of different clients over the course of a week can give you a really solid idea of which Gmail alternative you like the best.
Related reading:
This article was originally published in July 2023. The most recent update was in March 2024, with contributions from Jessica Lau.
