Free email sounds nice, but isn't that the crippled deal where you get slow-loading pages and lots of ads?
No and no. Some free email services offer POP or IMAP access, which means you can download your messages to any email program (such as Windows Mail, Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird or Mac OS X Mail). And while you're on the road, you can still take advantage of the free web interface — which, I promise you, is often fast and slender.
Find the best free POP3 email service and free IMAP email services here.
(Updated January 2012)
› Nominate your favorite free email service now for the About.com 2012 Readers' Choice Awards.
1. Gmail (Google Mail) - Free POP and IMAP
Gmail is the Google approach to email, chat and social networking. Practically unlimited free online storage allows you to collect all your messages, and Gmail's simple but very smart interface lets you find them precisely and see them in context without effort. POP and powerful IMAP access bring Gmail to any email program or device.
Gmail puts contextual advertising next to the emails you read.
Gmail Review | Gmail Resources | Gmail Tips
Gmail puts contextual advertising next to the emails you read.
Gmail Review | Gmail Resources | Gmail Tips
2. Zoho Mail - Free POP and IMAP
ZOHO Corp.
Zoho Mail is a solid email service with ample storage, POP and IMAP access, some integration with instant messaging and online office suites.
Aimed at professional users, Zoho Mail could be even more helpful organizing mail, identifying key messages and contacts, and sending oft-used replies.
Zoho Mail Review | Zoho Mail Tips
Aimed at professional users, Zoho Mail could be even more helpful organizing mail, identifying key messages and contacts, and sending oft-used replies.
Zoho Mail Review | Zoho Mail Tips
3. AIM Mail - Free POP and IMAP
Heinz Tschabitscher
AIM Mail, AOL's free web-based email service, shines with unlimited online storage, very good spam protection and a rich, easy to use interface. Unfortunately, AIM Mail lacks a bit in productivity (no labels, smart folders and message threading), but makes up for some of that with very functional IMAP (as well as POP) access.
AIM Mail Review | AIM Mail Tips
AIM Mail Review | AIM Mail Tips
4. GMX Mail - Free POP and IMAP
Heinz Tschabitscher
GMX Mail is a reliable email service filtered well of spam and viruses whose unlimited online storage you can use not only through a rich web interface but also via POP or IMAP from a desktop email program.
More and smarter ways to organize mail could be nice.
GMX Mail Review | GMX Mail Tips
More and smarter ways to organize mail could be nice.
GMX Mail Review | GMX Mail Tips
5. iCloud Mail - Free POP and IMAP
Apple
iCloud Mail is a free email service from Apple with ample storage, IMAP and POP access and an elegantly functional web application.
That interface at icloud.com does not offer labels or other more advanced tools for productivity and for organizing mail, though, and does not support accessing other email accounts.
iCloud Mail Review | iCloud Mail Tips
That interface at icloud.com does not offer labels or other more advanced tools for productivity and for organizing mail, though, and does not support accessing other email accounts.
iCloud Mail Review | iCloud Mail Tips
6. Lavabit - Free POP and IMAP
Heinz Tschabitscher
Lavabit nets you a solid, secure and privacy-conscious email account which you can access in your email program using POP or IMAP and in your browser using a rudimentary web interface.
It's a pity Lavabit restricts statistical spam filtering to paid accounts and lacks a fully fledged web interface.
Lavabit Review
It's a pity Lavabit restricts statistical spam filtering to paid accounts and lacks a fully fledged web interface.
Lavabit Review
7. FastMail Guest Account - Free IMAP
Heinz Tschabitscher
FastMail is a great free email service with IMAP access, useful features, and a stellar web interface.
It's a pity FastMail does not offer truly effective spam filtering for free accounts, and more storage space for all users.
FastMail Review | FastMail Resources | FastMail Tips
It's a pity FastMail does not offer truly effective spam filtering for free accounts, and more storage space for all users.
FastMail Review | FastMail Resources | FastMail Tips
8. Gawab.com - Free POP and IMAP
Heinz Tschabitscher
Gawab.com is a speedy, stable and very usable free email service with 10 GB online space, POP and IMAP access as well as many a web-based goodie.
It's a pity Gawab.com's IMAP implementation does not give you access to labels, and full message search is missing from the web interface.
Gawab.com Review
It's a pity Gawab.com's IMAP implementation does not give you access to labels, and full message search is missing from the web interface.
Gawab.com Review
9. Windows Live Hotmail - Free POP
Microsoft
Windows Live Hotmail is a free email service that gives you unlimited storage, fast search, solid security, POP access and an interface easy as a desktop email program.
When it comes to organizing mail, Windows Live Hotmail includes many a helpful shortcut and automation. It's a pity IMAP access to all online folders is missing.
Windows Live Hotmail Review | Windows Live Hotmail Resources | Windows Live Hotmail Tips
When it comes to organizing mail, Windows Live Hotmail includes many a helpful shortcut and automation. It's a pity IMAP access to all online folders is missing.
Windows Live Hotmail Review | Windows Live Hotmail Resources | Windows Live Hotmail Tips
10. HotPOP - Free POP
Heinz Tschabitscher
HotPOP offers free, reliable email accounts you can use with any email program using POP3 and SMTP. In addition, HotPOP lets you forward incoming messages to multiple other addresses. Unfortunately, HotPOP lacks IMAP access and a web-based email interface and is a bit short on storage space.
HotPOP Review
HotPOP Review
