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Ask HN: Best alternative to Gmail?

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Re: Ask HN: Best alternative to Gmail?

#161

Post by TwelveNights »

vbezhenar wrote: post #154
lvillani wrote: post #86

FastMail. It's one of the few third party hosts to support push email on iOS with the native Mail app (it's a custom protocol based on APNS), since Mail doesn't implement IMAP IDLE [1]. They are also the main sponsors behind the JMAP protocol [2] and some open source projects such as the Cyrus IMAP server. [1]: https://fastmail.blog/2016/12/21/what-we-talk-about-when-we-... [2]: https://jmap.io

Fastmail is paid and very costly while Gmail is free, not very good alternative for me.

For the privacy, quality, and features it offers at the reasonable price of $50/year, I would say that it's a fantastic alternative. It'd be hard-pressed to find anything free that is on par.

Re: Ask HN: Best alternative to Gmail?

#163

Post by geowwy »

vbezhenar wrote: post #154
lvillani wrote: post #86

FastMail. It's one of the few third party hosts to support push email on iOS with the native Mail app (it's a custom protocol based on APNS), since Mail doesn't implement IMAP IDLE [1]. They are also the main sponsors behind the JMAP protocol [2] and some open source projects such as the Cyrus IMAP server. [1]: https://fastmail.blog/2016/12/21/what-we-talk-about-when-we-... [2]: https://jmap.io

Fastmail is paid and very costly while Gmail is free, not very good alternative for me.

$3 per month is very costly?

Re: Ask HN: Best alternative to Gmail?

#164

Post by artursvonda »

peatmoss wrote: post #9

Most important thing is to buy a domain so you can port your email address from provider to provider. I’ve had the same email address and several hosts over the years. I’m currently on Fastmail and find the service good.

This is exactly what I did a few years back. And exactly for the same reason — so I can easily migrate to different provider with low cost of swiching. So far I’ve used gmail as provider but I’m considering switching now.

Re: Ask HN: Best alternative to Gmail?

#165

Post by SuperNinKenDo »

vbezhenar wrote: post #154
lvillani wrote: post #86

FastMail. It's one of the few third party hosts to support push email on iOS with the native Mail app (it's a custom protocol based on APNS), since Mail doesn't implement IMAP IDLE [1]. They are also the main sponsors behind the JMAP protocol [2] and some open source projects such as the Cyrus IMAP server. [1]: https://fastmail.blog/2016/12/21/what-we-talk-about-when-we-... [2]: https://jmap.io

Fastmail is paid and very costly while Gmail is free, not very good alternative for me.

Gmail is not free, you just pay in non-monetary terms. It's up to you to decide how you want to weight your priorities.

Re: Ask HN: Best alternative to Gmail?

#166

Post by paride5745 »

I am switching to outlook.com + cock.li (for anonymous emails).

Keeping Gmail only for my Youtube addiction...

There are better alternatives out there, but outlook.com offers what I need for free.

I know it's not a very privacy friendly platform, but with many of my contacts on Gmail, there is no point in going full privacy like with Protonmail IMHO.

Re: Ask HN: Best alternative to Gmail?

#167

Post by wheresvic1 »

rajuvegesna wrote: post #94

Zoho Mail is a strong option. Comes with mobile apps, supports all standard protocols (IMAP/POP/ActiveSync), includes Calendar and many other modules. Zero tracking. Zero ads. Beyond Mail, Zoho offers several apps that can replace most of what Google offers. From Docs to office suite, note-taking to chat and many more. (Disclosure: I am with Zoho)

I can also second Zoho. It's primary target is small business and they have a massive suite of features but I'm just using their email and calendar.

Their web interface is a bit annoying as you need to make a couple of clicks to get to the email but they provide mobile apps as well as IMAP access.

So far I have not had any issues so I cannot say what their support is like.

Re: Ask HN: Best alternative to Gmail?

#168

Post by kbuck »

miles wrote: post #87
brycehamrick wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah I completely agree this is something that needs consideration. I do have an email address with my own domain but for security reasons any accounts I create are tied to my gmail address. I've known too many people who have had personal domain email addresses intercepted, particularly through compromised domain/DNS settings. One simple MX record adjustment could mean every single bank account, social media profile…

> I do have an email address with my own domain but for security reasons any accounts I create are tied to my gmail address. I've known too many people who have had personal domain email addresses intercepted, particularly through compromised domain/DNS settings. If your Gmail account is lost or compromised, good luck getting any help from Google; while G Suite support is decent, free Gmail account users are basicall…

To be fair here, two of these are obvious user error.

In the Etherium case, he deleted the email and wanted to get it back 2 full years later. The only way he would have recovered from this would have been to take meticulous backups (and test them regularly). I would expect any 3rd party provider to honor my wish to delete data, especially 2 years down the line (and, in fact, they are probably legally required to do so).

In the "lost in the Google void" situation, the user set up 2fa but lost all access to their 2nd factors. I don't see any reasonable recourse to this, as any "solution" Google implements would undermine the entire purpose of 2fa.

The remaining two are obvious issues with Google's service. The "gender pronoun" one is a bit odd because gender pronouns don't seem to have anything to do with the account closure (there's speculation that he was mass-reported to exploit their abuse response systems).

Re: Ask HN: Best alternative to Gmail?

#170

Post by SimonPStevens »

The most important thing is having your own domain. Then whatever provider you choose, the address is easily portable.

I've no idea what your requirements are, but I've used office 365 small business premimum plan for years (£9.40 per month). It comes with a hosted exchange server which gives you loads of flexibility for very little effort. And for my purposes, I really like outlook as a desktop client. Not everyone agrees though. And as I want the desktop office apps anyway, the extra money for the plan with exchange included is minimal.

There is also a cheaper 'essentials' plan which gives you the server stuff without the desktop office apps if you don't need/want/like them.

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