10 Best Email Hosting Providers of 2024
Updated March 22, 2024 at 2:23 pm
With the right email hosting provider, you’re on the perfect escape route from annoying email communication limitations to a world of upgraded features that solve all your communication barriers. The best email hosting services offer ample storage space, smooth file-sharing features and support for large attachments.
However, the best email hosting is more than bundling, like Microsoft Office Online for business users. So, if you’re looking for the best email hosting providers that are proficient and reliable without a web hosting requirement, we’ve got you covered. In this roundup, we’ve reviewed the best email hosting services to upgrade your email game.
Methodology To compile this list, we reviewed the top services on the market, compared their specs and features, and created a short list of the top email hosting providers. Then, we used product descriptions, reviews, ratings and hands-on experience to find the best email services for each category.
Our Picks - Best Overall: DreamHost
- Best All-In-One Platform: Google Workspace
- Best for Security: A2 Hosting
- Best for Flexibility: Zoho Mail
- Best for Service Providers: SiteGround
- Best Email Hosting Service With Video Calling: Hostinger
- Best AWS Email Hosting Service: Amazon WorkMail
- Best Email Hosting Service for Microsoft Customers: Microsoft 365 Business Premium
- Best Email Hosting Service for Cloud Servers: IceWarp Cloud
- Best Email Hosting Service for Migration Assistance: Rackspace
Best Email Hosting Services of 2024
Best Overall
DreamHost
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Why We Chose It
DreamHost is easy to navigate, as you don’t need to be a tech expert to run it or save yourself from spam and phishing attacks. Most of all, it’s a good option for SMBs.
Key Features:
- Easy user interface
- Affordable pricing plans
- Built-in webmail
- Anti-spam features
- Anti-phishing tools
Pros
- Suitable for WordPress users
- Large inbox size
- Low-cost
Cons
- Vague pricing structures
- Unreliable live support chat
- Poor file management
Best All-In-One Platform
Google Workspace
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Why We Chose It
Google Workspace offers one of the best email hosting services for businesses. It also provides a suite of office productivity applications like Google Drive, Calendar, Meet and more.
Key Features:
- Endpoint management tools
- Security features like 2FA
- Group-based policy controls
- Email phishing protection
- Smart compose and intelligent reply features
Pros
- Up to 5TB storage capacity
- Familiar for free Gmail users
- Flexible pricing
Cons
- Higher per-user license costs
- No unlimited storage for enterprises
- Existence of many similar collaboration apps like Hangouts, Meet and Chat
Best for Security
A2 Hosting
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Why We Chose It
A2 Hosting is fast and offers competitive pricing for long-term plans. It also provides outstanding customer service, making it an excellent fit for small and medium enterprises.
Key Features:
- Spam protection
- Automated email response and forwarding
- Unlimited email addresses
- Preinstalled webmail software
Pros
- Four server locations
- Low introductory rates
- Free site migration
Cons
- No free domain name
- Pricing increases after renewal
- There is no free website builder
Best for Flexibility
Zoho Mail
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Why We Chose It
The Zoho Mail Lite is perfect for frequent travelers, front desk staff and contract employees, while the Zoho Mail Premium is recommended for IT professionals and power users.
Key Features:
- Malware detection capabilities
- Email recall
- Multiple domain hosting
- Data encryption
- Two-factor authentication
Pros
- Money-back guarantee
- Integration with business productivity apps like Zoho
- Can send attachments up to 1GB
Cons
- Expensive pricing (per user) for large businesses
- Unreliable email tracking
- Sent and received emails don’t appear on CRM
Best for Service Providers
SiteGround
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Why We Chose It
SiteGround is the best option for businesses using WooCommerce for hosting WordPress sites. It is the best email hosting for service providers and resellers seeking fair pricing, renewable energy and speed.
Key Features:
- Free backup restores
- Advanced priority support
- Cloud hosting
- Staging tools and on-demand backups
- Reseller hosting
Pros
- Free SSL
- All plans use SSD storage
- Managed hosting
Cons
- Limited site visitor allowances
- No phone support
- More expensive than its competitors
Best Email Hosting Service With Video Calling
Hostinger
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Why We Chose It
Hostinger offers email management, integrated calendaring and scheduling options. Also, it has generous resources in its web hosting plans.
Key Features:
- Database support
- File management
- eCommerce integration
- Web framework support
- CMS support
Pros
- 24/7 customer support
- Email hosting included in the web hosting plans
- Affordable entry-level price
Cons
- No spam detection
- No archiving options
- Slow control panel
Best AWS Email Hosting Service
Amazon WorkMail
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Why We Chose It
Amazon WorkMail is an excellent option for those building cloud-based corporate and customized structures requiring Active Directory integration, security and flexibility.
Key Features:
- Enterprise-grade security
- Active Directory integration
- Administrative SDK
- IMAP Protocol Support
- Spam and virus protection
Pros
- Compatible with Microsoft Exchange
- Integrates other AWS services
- Custom domain names
Cons
- No bundled collaboration tools
- Extra archiving costs
- No encrypted email option
Best Email Hosting Service for Microsoft Customers
Microsoft 365 Business Premium
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Why We Chose It
It’s an all-office desktop app that includes Microsoft Teams, Calendaring, Exchange and more. Microsoft 365 Business Premium helps small and medium-sized businesses engage with customers and optimize their operations.
Key Features:
- Ransomware and phishing protection
- Data loss prevention
- Automatic updates
- Multi-Factor authentication
- Easy mobile device security
Pros
- Virus and spam protection
- Starts as 1TB cloud storage
- Great customer support
Cons
- Slow upgrades
- Limited offline access
Best Email Hosting Service for Cloud Servers
IceWarp Cloud
Vault Verified
Why We Chose It
IceWarp Cloud offers excellent value for your money. Even with its low price point, it serves more than your typical email and calendaring.
Key Features:
- Mailing list management
- File sharing
- Chat rooms
- Collaborative document editing
- Two-factor authentication
Pros
- Video and audio calls
- Collaborative document editing
- Archiving included in plan price
Cons
- Only top-tier plans have large inboxes
- Lacks strong third-party support
- Mutually exclusive with other products
Best Email Hosting Service for Migration Assistance
Rackspace
Vault Verified
Why We Chose It
Rackspace provides a variety of infrastructure-as-a-service options. These options include traditional email hosting, bare metal servers, complete Exchange hosting and Microsoft 365 management.
Key Features:
- Good online user interface
- Auto-saving
- OpenStack
- Virtualized servers
- Cloud Security
Pros
- Microsoft Integration
- Migration assistance
Cons
- Extra archiving costs
- No backup servers
- No published policies (practices)
Email Hosting Introduction
Email hosting is a premium service that differs from traditional free webmail sites like Google and Yahoo. These email hosting providers focus on helping small businesses get their domain names, helping them stand out.
What Is an Email Hosting Provider?
An email hosting provider is an online website hosting service that rents its email servers to its users. It offers professional email hosting when a dedicated or shared server controls both outgoing and incoming emails. The email provider manages the user’s domain name and email security authentication schemes like replication and filtering.
Once you receive an email on your website’s domain address, it moves across the internet and is saved on the recipient server. Then, the server administrators will decide whether to ignore or receive, depending on the re-routing requests, spam filters and if the sender has been blacklisted.
How Does Email Hosting Work?
Email hosting services rely on customized open-source applications like Horde, RoundCube or SquirrelMail. Email hosting allows you to access a server to send and receive emails. Through email hosting, you don’t just get a server to host your emails but also access extra solutions to improve your business.
These solutions include email replication, re-routing, management of user domain names, secure authentication and more. In short, an email hosting provider offers a server that functions as a trusted link between your email server and the receiver’s email server. This link enhances security and eliminates the risk of viruses and spam.
Who Is Email Hosting Best For?
Email hosting serves the needs of SMEs and demanding email users. The best email hosting services benefit businesses and ensure secure and safe communication channels. SMEs and small businesses profit from cloud email services.
Usually, larger enterprises run their email hosting services on their equipment using software like Postfix or Microsoft Exchange Server.
Types of Email Hosting Providers
- Self-Hosted Email Service: You can host your email on your servers rather than on those of a third party. This type of hosting allows for control and customization. But it’s disadvantageous because you must manage your server and prevent your messages from being labeled as spam.
- Third-Party Email Hosting: If you’re looking for more features than a web host offers, you should use third-party hosted email providers. They help minimize self-hosting costs. A hosted email service subscription includes an inbuilt team chat and shared calendars.
- Shared Email Service and Web Hosting: Shared email and web hosting implies that your email hosting will be part of your website hosting. Most website hosting options currently offer email hosting as a standard plan.
How to Choose the Best Email Hosting Service
Before choosing the best email hosting provider that suits you, you must decide what features you need most. There’s no one-size-fits-all best email service; you can expect some of the following features.
Pricing
Email hosting plans vary based on cost. The total costs and pricing models are evaluated based on volume discounting and per-user pricing. So, while looking through the list of the best email hosting providers, choose the one that suits your budget.
Security Tools
Ensure you select a provider with reliable security features to prevent unauthorized access and protect your data. After subscription, you can use the ‘filter’ option to ensure you’re less likely to download an attachment or click on an email with a virus.
Calendar Tools
Choose an email hosting service with tools that provide around-the-clock support. Most of all, providers with the calendar feature have great perks.
Mobile App Availability
It’ll be a challenging email experience to settle for your web host’s default plan. Go for a provider that offers both excellent mobile and web experiences.
Other Email Hosting Service Alternatives
Tutanota
Tutanota is the best choice for private emails. This email hosting service encrypts your entire mailbox and contact list. It provides default end-to-end encryption between its users and encrypted emails to non-users. However, it doesn’t permit the importation and encryption of old emails.
Unlike other email hosting services, Tutanota doesn’t support SMTP, POP, IMAP or OpenPGP encryption. That is, it can’t be used with third-party apps.
Mail.com
Mail.com is a free Gmail alternative that offers over 200 domain options that fit your personality or niche. It is the best option for freelancers seeking professionalism without spending a dime on a custom domain.
This email hosting service has powerful anti-virus tools that protect you from email-based threats. It ensures your email privacy is safe and scans for viruses. Its other security features are spam filters, secure US servers and two-factor authentication.
ProtonMail
ProtonMail is most noted for its excellent security practices. It’s promoted as the only email that can’t be hacked. It guarantees your privacy and is subject to strict European laws. This email hosting provider uses zero access and end-to-end encryption to secure your emails.
ProtonMail prioritizes privacy to the extent that you can open an email account without submitting your personal information. The only requirements are a password, username, and an optional recovery email.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Email Hosting Service?
Google Workspace. It’s the best because it offers a variety of productivity tools like Google Drive, Gmail, Google Docs and email for seamless cloud communication and collaboration. Also, it provides businesses with large storage capacities and professional email addresses for smooth workflow efficiency.
What Is the Most Popular Email Host?
Statista states that Gmail is currently the most popular email host, with over 1.5 billion active users globally. Gmail is a great starting point if you focus on creating emails for one email provider.
What Is the Best Email Service Provider for Small Businesses?
ProtonMail is one of the best email service providers for small businesses. It is secure, affordable and offers productivity and collaboration tools. Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 and DreamHost are also great options for small businesses.
Can You Get Email Hosting for Free?
A custom email address is typically free with a hosting plan. Many free email hosts offer non-custom emails. So, if you intend to create a business email address, you’ll have to register a unique domain name.
How Much Do Email Hosting Services Cost?
The average monthly basic plan cost for email hosting services is between $1.50 and $59.00. You just need to find the one that suits your needs and budget. But remember that the best email hosting services offer benefits like mailbox security, email management and brand consistency.
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. We may earn a commission from partner links on Newsweek, but commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
