A professional email address is fundamental to running a business, and thankfully, I found some of the best places to get free business email addresses (yes, really).
Some of these platforms give you an email address 100% free, while others include it as a freebie with other products, like a custom domain or a website hosting plan.
Some even have handy tools for productivity, like online word documents and spreadsheets. And of course, they can also send and receive emails.
- Zoho Mail: Overall best free business email platform for small businesses
- Google Workspace: Best for easy team collaboration and productivity
- Proton Mail: Best for advanced security with end-to-end email encryption
- Hostinger: Best for an all-in-one email address and website solution
- IONOS: Best for a free email with a domain purchase
- DreamHost: Best for free unlimited emails with a WordPress website purchase
I also focused specifically on the best free business email platforms that were easy to set up and navigate (and won’t hinder your efficiency or productivity). And while some of these platforms have free plans, I also included some paid — but low-cost — options for less than $7 per month that I also think are worth your consideration.
Google Workspace smoothly integrates the business solutions your team needs to work anywhere on any device — all in one place. |
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An overview of the best free business email platforms
100% free plan | Free custom domain | Starting storage | Security | My expert score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | âś“ | âś• | 5GB | Anti-spam, anti-phishing, block/allow lists | 4.68/5 |
 | âś• | With paid plans | 15GB | Anti-spam, anti-phishing, antivirus, two-factor authentication | 4.25/5 |
 | âś“ | âś• | 1GB | Anti-spam, anti-tracking, email encryption, VPN, password manager | 4.24/5 |
 | âś• | With paid plans | 1GB | Antivirus, anti-spam, email authentication | 4.21/5 |
 | âś• | With paid plans | 2GB | Anti-spam, antivirus | 4.14/5 |
 | âś• | With paid plans | 25GB | Anti-spam, antivirus, anti-phishing, email filters | 4.03/5 |
Is a free business email good for professional use?
In most cases, a free business email address doesn’t come with a custom domain, i.e., what comes after the “@” symbol in your email address, like audrey@fitsmallbusiness.com or tcook@apple.com.
A custom domain is what gives your email address professionalism and credibility in the business world. But unfortunately, they don’t come free because they’re like internet real estate — you have to pay for a domain to own one.
That’s why, in the long run, a generic, non-custom domain isn’t generally recommended for creating a professional email address, especially once your business grows and you have a steady customer base.
Once you start communicating with customers, clients, investors, or other professionals, that’s when it’s time to upgrade to a professional email address with a custom domain.
Zoho Mail: Overall best free business email platform for small businesses
Pros
- Free business email for up to 5 users, each with a 5GB mailbox
- Email recall, forwarding, and aliases on the free plan
- Connect with dozens of free marketing and sales tools, like social media scheduling and a CRM
Cons
- No free domain; you need to use your own domain
- No IMAP/POP on the free plan for automatic email syncing
- No email forwarding or smart email features on the free plan
Why I chose Zoho Mail
From a small business marketing perspective, Zoho Mail is the overall best free business email platform. Zoho Mail is a marketing and sales powerhouse, with a free-forever business email plan for a small team of up to five members.
The catch: You’ll need to have your own domain first. Zoho Mail does not provide an email domain — it’s solely an email hosting platform. But it does have online documents, spreadsheets, and calendars, and up to 5GB storage for each user.
It’s all-around a great, no-commitment platform to get up to five free business email accounts if you don’t need anything too fancy — just an email platform that works.
However, I wouldn’t recommend doing any bulk emailing on Zoho Mail. One, because it doesn’t have a large storage space, and two, it risks your emails being labeled as “spam.” This is because Zoho Mail doesn’t have a private server for your emails on the free plan. That usually requires an extra cost.
But for a secure, easy-to-use, and reputable free email platform, Zoho Mail is still my top option. Bonus points for its suite of free marketing and sales tools, like its CRM and social media scheduling platform.
Plus, setting up Zoho Mail is also an easy process. You’ll only need to click on the free plan on its website, connect your domain, and then create your and your team’s email addresses.
Zoho Mail provides up to five free email addresses on your domain, plus an intuitive email platform. (Source: Zoho Mail)
Free | Workplace Standard | Mail Premium | |
|---|---|---|---|
Monthly cost (billed annually) | $0 up to 5 users | $1 per user | $4 per user |
Mail storage per user | 5GB | 30GB | 50GB |
File storage | âś• | âś“ | âś“ |
Shared calendar, documents, and spreadsheets | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ |
IMAP/POP mail syncing | âś• | âś“ | âś“ |
Attachment limits | 25MB | 30MB | 40MB |
Email encryption | âś• | âś• | âś“ |
- Visit Zoho Mail and create an account.
- Choose either “Use my own domain” or “Get a domain” (you can also purchase a domain through Zoho during sign-up).
- Verify your domain by adding Zoho name server records where your domain is hosted.
- Update your mail records to officially receive emails from your domain. Zoho also provides a one-click verification process for IONOS and GoDaddy domains.
Google Workspace: Best for easy team collaboration and productivity
Pros
- Super intuitive and easy to navigate email interface
- Real-time team collaboration and productivity tools on the free plan
- 15GB storage for free (Gmail and Google Drive)
Cons
- No custom email domain on the free plan
- Notoriously difficult contact support because it has so many clients
- All storage is automatically pooled across email and Google Drive
Why I chose Google Workspace
It’s just hard to top Google’s value and features as an all-around business email platform. The Gmail platform is efficient and intuitive, and its team collaboration and productivity features (Google Docs, Sheets, etc.) are the industry standard.
Plus, no other email platform has yet to come close to Google’s real-time collaboration, which is its biggest asset and a game-changer for remote teams. If you’ve ever used a Google Doc or Google Sheet before, you’ll know how easy and intuitive Google’s productivity tools are.
Google Workspace’s tools are available to anyone with a Gmail account (even a free one), but unfortunately, the free plan doesn’t come with a free email domain. You’ll need to upgrade to a paid Workspace plan to get a custom email domain, and starting at $6.30, it’s a slightly higher price point than the others here.
But I’ve never found Google Workspace lacking in the many years I’ve used it personally and professionally, and while it doesn’t provide a free email domain, it’s still a good place for beginners to start.
While Google Workspace doesn’t provide a custom domain on the free plan, it’s still one of the most full-featured and collaboration-friendly.
Free plan | Starter | Standard | Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Monthly cost (annual billing) | $0 | $6.30 per user | $12.60 per user | $22 per user |
Email and cloud storage | 15GB | 30GB | 2TB | 5TB |
Custom domain | âś• | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ |
Google Workspace productivity suite with real-time collaboration | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ |
Video meetings | 100 participants | 100 participants | 150 participants | 500 participants |
Gemini AI assistant | âś• | Gmail only | Google Workspace suite | Google Workspace suite |
NotebookLM AI research assistant | âś• | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ |
- Visit Google Workspace, then choose Create an Account, and select for my work or business.
- For a 100% free email address, choose “Get a Gmail address” on the next screen. For the paid Workspace plans, choose “Start Google Workspace trial.” You’ll automatically be enrolled in the 15-day free trial after inputting your info and payment details.
- If you chose the 100% free option, you’ll need to set up your account name and information before accessing your mailbox.
Proton Mail: Best for advanced security with end-to-end email encryption
Pros
- Advanced security with end-to-end encryption, password protection, and a VPN on a free plan
- Up to 5GB cloud storage for free
- Automatically blocks tracking pixels and hides your IP address
Cons
- Free plan uses a .proton.me email subdomain
- No free custom domain, even on the paid plans
- No shared documents, spreadsheets, or productivity features
Why I chose Proton Mail
What’s really noteworthy about Proton Mail is its security measures. All its emails are automatically end-to-end encrypted and password-protected — including on the free plan. Plus, you get a VPN for extra security.
Proton Mail takes security seriously, as it’s based in Switzerland and safeguarded by Swiss privacy laws. It even automatically blocks tracking pixels and hides your IP, so your mail can’t be used for ads.
It’s definitely my top pick if security is a major factor in your decision, say if you handle client records and invoices over email.
Aside from top-notch security, Proton Mail also has team calendars, up to 1GB email storage, and email folders and labels, the latter of which are handy for keeping your inbox organized and running smoothly.
However, unlike Zoho Mail, Proton Mail doesn’t have a productivity suite like shared documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, even on its paid plans. It’s solely a platform to get a business email for free, not for general productivity.
Also, the free plan uses a .proton.me email subdomain, and paid plans require you to use your own domain. Other than that, though, Proton Mail is easy to set up, reliable, and has some of the most advanced security you’ll find from a business email platform, free or paid.
Proton Mail offers a free-forever email plan with advanced security. (Source: Proton Mail)
Proton Free | Mail Plus | Proton Unlimited | |
|---|---|---|---|
Monthly cost (annual billing) | $0 | $3.99 | $9.99 |
Email addresses | 1 | 10 | 15 |
Email storage | 1GB | 15GB | 500GB |
End-to-end encryption and password protection | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ |
Supported email domains | 1 proton.me domain | 1 custom domain | 3 custom domains |
VPN | 5 countries | 5 countries | 120+ countries |
Drive storage | 5GB | 15GB | 500GB |
Password vaults | 2 | 2 | 50 |
- Go to Proton and click “Create a free account.”
- Fill out your account information, including your username, and then select “Get Proton for free” on the next page.
- Verify via captcha or email to complete the setup of your Proton Mail business email.
Hostinger: Best for an all-in-one email address and website solution
Pros
- All-in-one email and website platform with a matching domain — handy for solopreneurs
- Send marketing emails to promote your brand for free
- Up to 50 email aliases for multi-purpose email addresses
Cons
- Email is only free for the first year, and you’ll need the website builder plan first
- No productivity or team collaboration tools
- Only 1GB of storage per mailbox
Why I chose Hostinger
Hostinger isn’t 100% free — you’ll first need to purchase a website builder plan to get a free email for business, but I’m recommending it as an all-around online presence-building solution.
Hostinger’s website builder plans start at $3.99 a month (on an annual plan), which already comes with 25 websites and two mailboxes per website, with 1GB storage each. It has more value than most other website and email hosting bundles you find, and overall, one of the best cheap email hosts for small businesses.
However, Hostinger’s biggest shortcoming for me is with the email platform itself. It’s not as intuitive or seamless as Zoho Mail or Gmail, and it doesn’t have any productivity features like shared documents or calendars, so it’s not great for collaborating with teams.
It’s far more useful (and offers more value) for solopreneurs who need an easy way to manage their website and email correspondence in one platform.
What it does have, though, is a newly launched email marketing platform, also free with your plan, that’s helpful for marketing your brand.
Hostinger offers website and email bundles with a matching domain of your choice. (Source: Hostinger)
Premium Website Builder | Business Website Builder | |
|---|---|---|
Monthly cost (annual billing) | $3.99 | $4.99 |
Mailboxes* | 2 per website | 5 per website |
Websites | 25 | 50 |
Mail storage | 1GB per mailbox | 1GB per mailbox |
Email marketing tools | âś“ | âś“ |
AI text and image generator, logo maker, and SEO assistant | âś• | âś“ |
*Free only for the first year | ||
- Subscribe to the website builder plan on Hostinger, create your account, and claim your domain.
- After setting up your account, select the Emails section from the left-side panel, then select your domain.
- Click on “Create email account” and enter the email address and password.
- Visit Hostinger Webmail to use your new business email.
IONOS: Best for a free email with a domain purchase
Pros
- Custom email domain with an email platform at $1.10
- All emails automatically have antivirus and anti-spam protection
- Scheduled emails and an AI email assistant are available
- Simple, intuitive email platform
Cons
- Needs a domain purchase to get a free email address and platform
- 2GB base storage, costs extra to expand
- Only up to 10 users on the highest plan; not ideal for large teams
Why I chose IONOS
IONOS is another all-around business email and website hosting platform like Hostinger, but unlike Hostinger, you get a free email address and platform with just a domain purchase. That doesn’t make it necessarily better or worse than Hostinger, but it does have significantly fewer products included in its plans.
That said, it’s a good option if you only need a professional email with a custom domain — nothing more, nothing less. It’s still not entirely free, as you’ll need to purchase a domain, but for $1.10 a month, you get a secure email platform with 2GB storage, spam filters, and scheduled emails — and a fully custom email address.
I mostly like IONOS for its straightforwardness and focus on providing a reliable service. What it says on the tin is what you get, and that’s the main reason it’s always one of my best low-cost email hosting options, even if it doesn’t provide 100% free email accounts for businesses. It’s also simple to navigate — the email platform has a similar interface to Zoho Mail. All your emails also come with anti-spam and antivirus protection.
IONOS automatically provides a free email address with a domain purchase. (Source: IONOS)
Mail Basic 1 | Mail Basic 25 | Mail Business | |
|---|---|---|---|
Monthly cost | $1.10 | $2 | $3 |
Email accounts | 1 | 25 | 1 (Expandable) |
Custom email domain | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ |
Email storage | 2GB | 2GB | 50GB |
Anti-spam and antivirus protection | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ |
Email scheduling and AI email assistant | âś“ | âś“ | âś“ |
Team collaboration | âś• | âś• | âś“ |
- Go to IONOS and search for your desired domain.
- Follow the steps to purchase the domain and create your IONOS account.
- In your IONOS dashboard, select “Email,” select the “Mail Basic” plan on the next screen, then input your info to create your free email address on IONOS.
DreamHost: Best for free unlimited emails with a WordPress website purchase
Pros
- Secure hosting platform with automated daily backups
- Unlimited email and WordPress websites with matching custom domains
- Anti-spam, antivirus, and anti-phishing protection are automatically included on all plans
Cons
- Not 100% free, requires purchasing the Shared Unlimited plan
- Long setup process — not a plug-and-play email platform
- No email productivity or team collaboration features
Why I chose DreamHost
Again, DreamHost isn’t a 100% free business email platform, but it does offer a lot of value. The Shared Hosting plan lets you build unlimited WordPress websites, all of which come with a corresponding email account with the same domain at just $2.95 a month for the first year (renews at $12.99).
It’s definitely not for every business, but it’s one of the only ways to get unlimited business email addresses and WordPress websites at that price point.
The other reason I chose DreamHost is its reliability and security. It’s one of the most trusted hosting services in the world, with a 100% uptime guarantee, US and Europe-based data centers, and automated backups to ensure your email and website data never get lost.
Also, it builds websites on WordPress, which is the top website builder in the industry. So while DreamHost doesn’t exactly provide free email accounts for businesses, it’s a good consideration for a long-term investment, especially if you need multiple email accounts.
DreamHost’s Shared Unlimited plan lets you build unlimited websites and email addresses. (Source: DreamHost)
Shared Unlimited | |
|---|---|
Monthly cost (annual billing) | $2.95 |
Unlimited email addresses and WordPress websites | âś“ |
Custom domain | âś“ |
Mailbox storage | 25GB |
Anti-spam, antivirus, anti-phishing protection | âś“ |
DreamHost offers other plans, but only the Shared Unlimited plan offers unlimited emails and websites.
- Visit DreamHost, select “Get started,” and sign up for the Shared Unlimited plan.
- Choose a domain, then add your username and payment details to finalize your email account setup.
How I evaluated the best free business email providers
Business emails often entail custom domains, security, and other productivity tools, which also means more cost. But it’s not always impossible. And even if they aren’t always free, many platforms provide plenty of value for your emails without an extravagant spend.
To put together the list above, I evaluated each business email platform by its pricing, general features, niche features, customer support, and my expert score.
25% of Overall Score
I looked specifically at business email providers with free or low-cost plans, aka plans costing less than $7 per month and offering month-to-month contracts. I also gave higher points to providers that offered 100% free email addresses and custom domains.
25% of Overall Score
Every business email host should have all the essentials: the ability to host multiple email addresses, ample storage for your emails, anti-spam and antivirus filters, and an online email platform. This makes up 25% of each email provider’s score.
25% of Overall Score
I gave extra credit to platforms that offered extra features like productivity tools, higher attachment limits, email aliases, websites, and POP or IMAP support.
10% of Overall Score
By themselves, email platforms shouldn’t be difficult to navigate, but I always give higher consideration to providers that offer ample customer support should you need them.
This means longer customer support hours and more avenues to reach them (e.g., phone, live chat, and email), as well as self-help knowledge bases.
15% of Overall Score
I also took my experience as a marketer into account in my scoring. I evaluated the overall quality of each platform’s features, their value for money, and their ease of use.
How do you choose the best free business email platform?
You might have noticed that the platforms above all offer different ways to get free business email accounts. Some offer an email address completely free, while others include one as a freebie with other plans.
A free business email platform with a generic domain might be fine for now, but once you upgrade to a custom one, you might also need to consider things like storage data, productivity tools, and security features. These are just some of the things to keep in mind when choosing your business email platform.
- What do you need most from an email platform? Start with what you need most, based on what you already have. If you already own a domain, you probably won’t need a platform that provides one.Meanwhile, if you’re building your online presence from scratch, you might want an all-in-one platform that lets you build a website with an email address on the same domain, or collaboration features if you have a team.
- What will your business need in five or 10 years? You may only need a free email platform now, but consider how your business might grow in the next few years. It’ll take additional effort to transfer email records if you choose a different email platform later on, so it’s a good idea to choose one email platform now for the long term.
- How familiar are you and your team with business email platforms? Some platforms are easy to navigate even for beginners, like Google Workspace and IONOS, while others might take a little more learning curve, like DreamHost, where you’ll need to access a cPanel (control panel). Consider your comfort level with different email platforms.
- How much storage and security will you require? If you store lots of files online, you’ll need a platform that allows more storage. And if the files you store are particularly important or sensitive, you’ll need one with advanced security and anti-phishing protection.
- How much budget can you allocate to your business email? While some platforms have 100% free plans, other platforms offer paid plans that still have a lot of value.While free platforms work well if you have absolutely no budget, evaluate if you’re willing to pay a little extra for a lot more value. Most email platforms offer features like websites, productivity tools, and cloud storage for less than $6 per month.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
The best way to get a free business email address is via Zoho Mail, where the free plan gives you a free business email account and platform for up to five team members, each with a 5GB inbox, provided you already have your own domain.
You’ll only need to sign up for Zoho Mail and connect your domain to get a business email account that you can share with your team. Proton Mail is another good free email platform with advanced security and Google Workspace for team collaboration and productivity features, although neither provides a custom domain (only generic domains).
The best email address to use for an LLC or for any business purpose is one with a custom domain that matches your business name, not a generic one like [email protected] that uses your email host’s domain. An email address with a custom domain, like [email protected], makes you look more professional and credible, promotes your brand, and is more secure.
Gmail has a free-forever plan, but it doesn’t provide a custom email domain and, therefore, isn’t ideal for business use. Gmail’s free plan uses a generic Gmail domain (i.e., [email protected]) and only supports up to 15GB email storage.
The paid Google Workspace plans are more suitable for business use as they provide a custom domain for you and your team, have more storage capacity and security, and come with Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, as well as Google’s Gemini AI assistant.
Bottom line
Finding the best free business email provider ultimately comes down to your particular needs. Every email platform has its own specialties and expertise, and the ones above are some of the best in the industry.
While not all are entirely free, they’re all guaranteed to give you good value for your money, whether through business-class security for your emails, plenty of online storage, or a reliable email platform.
