Best E-mail Provider

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barlowc

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For nearly 20 years, I've used the same e-mail address, which was provided to me by the university that I attended. I recently received notice that they will no longer maintain accounts for alumni and that my account will be deactivated at the end of August.

While I'm familiar with most of the options available (e.g. Google Gmail, Windows Live/Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail, and others), I'm interested in knowing what you guys think of them. Who do you like, who do you not like, what would you recommend, why?

Historically, I've used Microsoft Outlook on my computer to send/receive e-mail using POP and SMTP protocols. I may continue with that approach, or I may consider starting fresh and just using the provider's web-based interface. I want mobile access too. While I don't currently have a true smart phone, it does allow me to send and receive e-mail using IMAP and SMTP protocols or through automatic integrations with Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail, Gmail, and AOL Mail. And chances are I will be upgrading to a smart phone soon.

In addition to the providers mentioned above, I have the option to set up an account through my internet provided (i.e. EarthLink Cable Internet which I've had for 9 year), but I'm concerned that if that ever changes, I'll have to change my e-mail address again.
 
Over the years I have tried several free email accounts and the One that I like over all others is GMX Mail.

Link to GMX Mail Web Site

You can continue using Outlook and setup it either as an IMAP or POP account. I like IMAP better.

Link below gives settings for several email programs including Outlook.

Link to settings

Have used it for years and am well satisfied.
 
Take a look at Fastmail.

I have been using them for almost 8 years.

They cost about $40 a year. They have great SPAM technology. They allow super huge attachments. Give you file sharing space. Provide secure access via web, smtp, mobile, etc. They are also very customer service oriented.

I can't say enough good things about them. For $40 a year, it is worth every penny. They also have cheaper and more expensive plans based on your needs.
 
I've always used GMail. It has a POP3/IMAP interface, the spam filters are great, and so far its over 10 gigabytes of free storage.

I don't see the need in actually paying for any sort of e-mail provider these days...but thats me. If I'm paying for anything I'm gonna pay for my owndomainname.com
 
I've used gmail since it came out, fanastic search within email and you never have to delete a mail.

Great spam protection also, I get maybe 1 spam per month, the rest get caught by google. If you get a spam, you press the spam button and that helps train gmail to recognize this mail as spam in the future.

Paying for email, I don't see a need.

Also google calender, and voice integrate into gmail. Its nice making free phone calls within the US.
 
Originally Posted By: tommygunn
I've always used GMail. It has a POP3/IMAP interface, the spam filters are great, and so far its over 10 gigabytes of free storage.

I don't see the need in actually paying for any sort of e-mail provider these days...but thats me. If I'm paying for anything I'm gonna pay for my owndomainname.com

+1
 
Originally Posted By: DragRace
Why people pay for an email service is beyond me.

I have been using Gmail, GMX, iFrance, Hotmail, Yahoo and a few others since they started. They all have strengths and weaknesses. I still use GMail for some professional list subscriptions.
On occasion *all of them* would get a message stuck in the loop. Sendmail based providers do that more, qmail and others - less.
In my case it may mean a loss of annual contract for a business. That is why I use Fastmail for a few bucks per year less than average person spends on coffee per month.
 
Originally Posted By: DragRace
Gmail & GMX - Free

Why people pay for an email service is beyond me.


Major +1

It's like paying for a checking account...
 
Originally Posted By: SrDriver
Over the years I have tried several free email accounts and the One that I like over all others is GMX Mail.

Is there any real difference between GMX and mail.com? Reading some reviews, they appear to be the same company.
 
I use Yahoo mainly, but have a GMX.net account also. I find both of them ok, but Yahoo have been annoying me lately a little bit...
I am thinking of going to Gmail, but it's hard to change
 
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Gmail all the way. Been an account holder when it was still in its beta stages and needed to be invited to the program. Never looked anywhere since. :P
 
Gmail
GMX
Ymail

Main thing is to get into your Preferences and Opt-Outs to remove all the add-ons, if you only use email like me.... like a basic telephone... to communicate via text or sending simple-form pics
 
As I look into the options a bit, the main problem I have with Gmail is the (lack of) availability of addresses. I'd prefer something relatively straight forward and all the typical things (e.g. first name dot last name, first initial last name, etc.) are already taken.

GMX on the other hand has good address choice availability and seems to be a pretty solid service. Same with EarthLink which is my current cable internet provider, and what really is the likelihood that'll change?

And the fact that I'm most likely going to stick with Outlook, retrieving e-mail via POP or IMAP and sending e-mail via SMTP, pretty much negates the pros/cons of the services' web-based interface.

So... GMX or EarthLink are the current front-runners.
 
I just signed up for GMX as a result of this thread, it looks pretty solid. I have a Gmail and hardly use it, I use MSN and hotmail the most, that might change now.
 
Hate Yahoo. Use it to sign up for stuff where there's potential for spam. Use Gmail for everything else. It integrates well with my Android devices.
 
YES, that is a great feature.....but is a big PITA when you "Forgotten Password" to a website....and you have to try and remember, ok, what +stuff did I use for this site? :P

It does work great though :P Like, I got mine for here

myname+bitog@gmail and all my BITOG posts/reminders/watches get auto-tagged as "BITOG" in Gmail so I never miss them :P

Asked to enter a contest or lottery/raffle and they want an email address? I'll give them myname+contact@gmail :P etc.....


Just stinks....cause I've seen some "forms" online that will not (yet) accept the + sign in the "email" field....since I don't think the +addressing@ is a RTFC "standard" or something yet.....Google was one of the "pioneers" I believe
smile.gif
 
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