To keep your email up and running, you need email hosting services and an email hosting provider. While there are many free email hosting service options, they often lack specialized features for effective use.
I am an SEO expert and have experience with some of the best email hosting services and free email services throughout the years. In this article, we will review the best email hosting services based on their features and pricing so you can choose the right email hosting service for you.
Table Of Contents
Best Email Hosting Services
1. DreamHost
DreamHost offers many useful features with a simple user experience across several platforms. The service is also inexpensive. DreamHost costs between $1.67 and $1.99 per month per user mailbox. It includes built-in webmail to sync messages across multiple devices so no one misses an email.
DreamHost is consistently updating spam protection features of their email hosting service so it stays up to date with new spam tactics. This web hosting provider also offers robust virus and anti-phishing tools to prevent cyberattacks.
In my experience, DreamHost is an excellent web hosting tool and email hosting service that is convenient for users and has many useful features.
Provides substantial email storage capacity, ideal for businesses with heavy email traffic and the need to store large volumes of messages- Features easy integration with WordPress websites, facilitating streamlined email management directly from the WordPress platform
- Equipped with robust security measures to filter out spam and protect against phishing attacks, enhancing the overall email security for businesses
- Pricing details may lack transparency, potentially leading to confusion about the total cost and included features
- Support: 4.9
- Storage: 4.9
- Security: 4.9
- Pricing: 4.8
2. SiteGround
SiteGround provides full web hosting, WordPress, and email hosting services. SiteGround offers an unlimited number of users and unlimited inbox sizes. This is especially useful if your business has a high volume of emails per user. SiteGround costs anywhere from $2.99 to $7.99 per month for email hosting.
SiteGround allows you to manage email through a control panel and create forwarding messages. They also support IMAP, POP3, and SMTP. It is also a great email hosting service for resellers and email hosting providers to host customers.
In my review I explain that SiteGround offers a useful suite of web hosting and email hosting services for unlimited email addresses.
“Email has an ability other channels don’t, the ability to create personal touches at a scale.”
– David Newman, CEO of Do IT! Marketing
- Unlimited inbox size
- 24/7 customer support
- Great customer reviews
- Not ideal for a business that only needs email hosting
- Support: 4.9
- Storage: 4.9
- Security: 4.9
- Pricing: 4.8
3. A2 Hosting
A2 Hosting provides unlimited emails, spam protection, webmail software, and automated email forwarding and responding. These email hosting services provide support for SMTP, POP3, and IMAP. This best email hosting service also helps with the integration of phpList, poMMo, and more to make it easier to automate the communications process.
A2 Hosting costs between $1.59 and $2.59 for hosting email accounts. In my experience, A2 Hosting is among the best hosting options for email service in the industry. They offer great anti-spam and fraud tools, good storage space, and more.
- Unlimited inbox size
- Money back guarantee
- Unlimited emails
- You have to purchase web hosting to get email service
- Support: 4.9
- Storage: 4.8
- Security: 4.9
- Pricing: 4.9
4. BlueHost
Depending on the plan, BlueHost offers five or up to an unlimited number of email accounts with their shared web hosting. For $2.95 a month, you get up to five emails with 500MB of storage for the first year. The higher-level plans offered by this hosting provider include unlimited storage and unlimited email server use.
BlueHost allows you to create custom signatures, generate sales emails, provide business introduction email templates, and create a dedicated address for email clients for email marketing of small businesses, shared inboxes, and more.
In my BlueHost review I mention it’s an affordable email host that offers useful tools to manage an email client and useful collaboration tools through shared inboxes.
- Shared inboxes for collaboration
- Affordable
- Decent storage space
- Increased cost upon renewal
- Support: 4.8
- Storage: 4.8
- Security: 4.8
- Pricing: 4.7
5. ScalaHosting
ScalaHosting is an email hosting provider that allows you to create a professional email matching your unique domain and business name. They provide seamless migration, 24/7 support for the email client, an anytime money-back guarantee, advanced spam security features, daily backups, up to 10 emails, etc.
ScalaHosting offers business email hosting starting at $2.95 to $14.95 a month. In my experience with ScalaHosting it offers an excellent email service with the ability to create a custom domain name and offers great spam and virus protection.
- Advanced spam and virus protection
- Custom domain addresses
- Affordable email hosting provider
- No integration with Microsoft Exchange
- Support: 4.7
- Storage: 4.6
- Security: 4.7
- Pricing: 4.6
6. Hostinger
Hostinger is a hosting provider that offers custom domains, mailboxes between 10 to 30 GB, virus protection, 24/7 support through chat, ticket, and phone, unlimited emails, and more. They also provide email management and scheduling features, as well as productivity tools.
Hostinger’s business email plans are between $1.59 and $3.99 per user for multiple domains. They also provide read receipts, custom email templates, follow-up reminders for emails, the ability to write emails now and send later, send alias emails, schedule meetings video conferences, and integration with Google Workspace and Microsoft Outlook.
In my experience using Hostinger I found they have a useful suite of tools for email management at an affordable price range.
- Easy collaboration
- Microsoft Outlook and Google Workspace integration
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Customer service is lacking
- Support: 4.6
- Storage: 4.6
- Security: 4.6
- Pricing: 4.7
7. Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 bundles all the features you need from an email service, such as email receiving and sending, custom domain addresses, spam and data loss prevention, etc. Starting at $12.50 per month, you get web hosting, email hosting, access to Microsoft Word, Excel, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Powerpoint, SharePoint OneDrive, One Note, a 50 GB mailbox, and 1 TB of storage.
You also get access to instant messaging through Microsoft Teams and Slack. The Microsoft 365 suite also integrates with Zapier for automation.
In my experience, Microsoft 365 is a great all-in-one tool for web and email hosting with useful integrations such as Google Workspace, custom domains, a large amount of storage, and a large mailbox per user.
- Includes the whole suite of Microsoft apps
- Affordable
- Instant messaging feature
- If you just want Microsoft Outlook, the whole Microsoft 365 suite is too much
- Support: 4.6
- Storage: 4.5
- Security: 4.5
- Pricing: 4.6
8. Zoho
Zoho Mail offers many useful features, including multi-domain hosting, domain aliases, email recall, and more. Zoho Mail makes it easy to schedule events, plan and collaborate on processes, etc. It also features robust security, including encrypted data and rejecting unauthorized emails. They also provide malware detection, email retention, audits, and more.
Zoho Mail costs between $1 and $4 per user. My experience has shown it is a useful tool for any business to manage their email securely.
- Money back guarantee
- Integration with business apps
- Send attachments up to 1 GB
- Per-user pricing can be expensive for a large business
- Support: 4.4
- Storage: 4.5
- Security: 4.4
- Pricing: 4.5
9. IceWarp
Similar to Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, IceWarp’s email hosting packages include a suite of productivity tools and a large amount of storage space for file storage. However, you have to have a minimum of 10 users, so this email hosting solution may not be right for an individual or very small business.
IceWarp offers a three-month free trial, and plans start at $1.50 per user per month. IceWarp also offers collaboration tools with its web hosting plans. In my experience, these tools give you custom spreadsheets, presentation editors, chat, voice, and video conferencing with the hosted email service.
- Lots of cloud storage
- Affordable
- A complete suite of apps
- Minimum 10 users
- Support: 4.4
- Storage: 4.5
- Security: 4.4
- Pricing: 4.4
10. FastMail
FastMail is an independent service focused on privacy. It is available to individuals. However, it has all the business-focused features you need. You can add hundreds of emails that are forwarded to one inbox or forward them to a specific Outlook email client. You can share calendars and contacts, add branding, and a company footer.
FastMail starts at $3 per month with 2GB of storage, calendar and contacts. In my experience, FastMail is a good alternative option to Google Workspace Suite or Microsoft options if you don’t need access to features like Google Docs and other office apps and only need email.
- Lots of features
- Affordable
- Branding features
- Ony offers email, no other features
- Support: 4.3
- Storage: 4.4
- Security: 4.3
- Pricing: 4.3
How I Tested the Best Email Hosting Services
Selecting the best email hosting services involved a focused and rigorous approach to ensure my recommendations are reliable, practical, and suitable for various business needs. I streamlined my evaluation process to concentrate on the four most critical criteria essential for effective email hosting, including the pivotal aspect of support. Here’s how I conducted this refined evaluation:
Security and Privacy Features
Understanding the paramount importance of data security and privacy in email communication, I meticulously evaluated the security measures of each service. This included checking for end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication, spam filters, and other essential security protocols to safeguard user data.
Pricing and Value for Money
I carefully compared the pricing structures of each email hosting service, considering the features and benefits provided at different price points. This analysis was crucial in determining the overall value for money of each service, ensuring my recommendations cater to a broad spectrum of budgets.
User Interface and Experience Analysis
The usability of an email hosting service is critical. I examined the user interface of each service, assessing how intuitive and user-friendly their web and mobile applications are. This included evaluating the setup process, email management features, and the overall user experience to ensure ease of use.
Customer Support and Service
Recognizing the importance of reliable customer support, I evaluated the responsiveness, availability, and effectiveness of the customer support teams for each email hosting service. This involved testing their support channels, such as live chat, email, and phone support, to ensure users receive timely and helpful assistance.
By focusing on these four crucial criteria, including the indispensable element of support, I was able to conduct a thorough and efficient assessment of each email hosting service.
This streamlined approach allowed me to provide well-rounded recommendations, helping my readers make informed decisions based on their specific business needs and preferences.
Buyers Guide: What to Consider When Choosing the Best Email Hosting Services?
Before you choose which service is right for you, there are a few things to consider, such as what makes a great email service and which service is right for you based on various factors.
These are some of the factors you should keep in mind when choosing the best email hosting service:
1. Custom Domains
The ideal email hosting service should offer custom domains. The ability to have a custom domain gives you the ability to market your brand on your website with your branding colors and logo. This creates more customer trust as well as a connection with your brand.
2. 24/7 Customer Support
The ideal email host should offer 24/7 support. You should be able to reach customer service at times that are convenient for you, and they should offer multiple ways to get in contact, such as phone, live chat, tickets, etc.
3. A Web App And Mobile App
An email host with a web and mobile app is more convenient. The ability to manage your email from anywhere is invaluable. The best hosts offer fully functional web and mobile apps for daily email management.
4. Support For IMAP And POP3
IMAP and POP3 are used to access your email on a remote server. IMAP gives you more advanced email management over multiple devices. POP3 is useful when accessing your email from a single device. The host you choose should support both options for more flexibility to access your email remotely.
5. Storage
You will want to choose an email host that offers a decent amount of storage. Cloud storage is a more ideal option because you can access everything online, and it is stored until deleted.
6. Affordability
Your email host must be affordable. Depending on your budget and what you need from your provider, you may want to splurge on extra features, or you may just need the basics. Regardless of your needs, you want to ensure that you are getting good value with your host.
7. Security
Security for your email is crucial. Emails can contain sensitive information that you don’t want shared. Choose an email host that includes robust security features such as end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication, etc.
8. Integrations
Your email host should integrate with other tools that you use daily, such as Microsoft Exchange, Outlook, Google Workspace, and WordPress. Integrations with other tools that you use can help you automate business processes to save time.
FAQs
Do I Need a Host for My Email?
No, you don’t need a host for your email. You can host your email on your own server instead of using web hosts. However, this means that you have to maintain the server, register your business domain, and more. An email provider can save your business a lot of time and money and help with advanced features, cloud storage, and more.
What Kind of Security Measures Does Email Hosting Use?
Email hosting uses security measures, including end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication, multifactor authentication, and PGP encryption. End-to-end encryption obscures data, authentication controls access, and PGP encryption ensures the email stays secure even when used in a public space.
Do I Have to Have the Same Host for Email and Web Hosting?
No, you don’t have to have the same host for email and web hosting. Some web hosting providers provide an email account for free with their hosting plans.
What Is the Best Email Hosting Service?
The best email hosting service for your business ultimately depends on your budget and the services that you are looking for in hosting companies. If you are looking for the most reliable email hosting, I recommend DreamHost.
DreamHost offers useful integrations, built-in webmail, spam protection features, robust virus and anti-phishing tools, a large inbox, and WordPress integration.
It is quick, easy to use, and comes with a wide range of features, making email hosting a breeze. If you need a good email hosting service, I believe you could check out DreamHost.
Our #1 Recommendation: DreamHost
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