Safe and secure email accounts are important for personal and business use. As functional as Gmail and Yahoo are, popularity doesn’t equal security. Companies like those mentioned are known to provide your personal data to parties like the US government upon their request. Although we don’t want to say an account like Gmail is unsafe, there are more secure options.
Your IT support specialists may have some recommendations on how to beef up your email security. In addition, here are the twelve safest email accounts with the best online security:
1. Posteo
Posteo is one of the safest email accounts with an easy registration process. The price plans are very affordable, you can pay anonymously if you so choose, and security is protected by some of Europe’s strongest privacy laws in Germany. Posteo is open-source, all data passing through is encrypted, and it has two-factor authentication.
2. Tutanota
Tutanota offers end-to-end encryption, is compatible with all devices and browsers, and email accounts are very affordable. Tutanota is open-source with a focus on upholding the highest security and privacy.
Their servers are based in Germany, which means German privacy laws apply. The primary drawback is upgrading beyond the 1 GB of storage on Tutanova can be quite expensive.
3. ProtonMail
You may have heard of ProtonMail as one of the safest email accounts in the market. ProntoMail offers 500 MB of free email storage, works on iOS and Android platforms, and is completely free. They keep no email activity logs, unlike other email providers like Gmail and Yahoo.
Based in Switzerland, ProtonMail has a stronger privacy policy and offers more data protection than what can be provided in countries like US, the UK, or Canada.
4. StartMail
StartMail is one of the safest email accounts with a focus on privacy. It is similar to the StartPage search engine which runs off the same privacy-centric principles. StartMail offers message encryption and is based in the Netherlands.
The components included in StartMail are mixed between open-source and closed-source. An advantage of this email provider is unlimited addresses.
5. CounterMail
CounterMail has diskless data servers located in Sweden with physical security features via USB-Dongle. The drawbacks to this email account is that it’s expensive compared to other email providers. The interface also isn’t anything special to look at.
With that said, CounterMail is simple, secure, and ensures any ingoing or outgoing email traffic is not read by others. This is a solid choice if you’re looking for the safest email accounts.
6. Mailfence
Mailfence has two-factor authentication, 1 GB of storage split half and half between email and documents, and has its servers based in Belgium. Mailfence has end-to-end encryption and numerous features including a calendar, contacts book, and document storage.
Mailfence records some privacy info, including IP addresses and meta data, to comply with Belgian laws.
7. Hushmail
Hushmail is a user-friendly safe email account. A major con of the Hushmail platform is its servers are based in Canada which is not the best country for data protection. Canada’s privacy laws remain dated.
Hushmail also isn’t compatible with MacOS, which can be a no-no for Apple followers. These email accounts offer clarity in interface, privacy, and otherwise outstanding protection all-around with every email coded with OpenPGP encryption.
8. Runbox
Runbox offers a safe email account with unparalleled customer service, integration with other providers, and end-to-end encryption. The unfortunate disadvantages of using Runbox is it contains almost no storage space and there isn’t a smartphone app available. Runbox operates servers from Norway, a country with strong privacy regulations that work in your favor.
9. Signal
Signal is an email account with apps for both Android and iPhone, encrypted messaging, and unlimited storage. Signal isn’t your traditional email service but it is a safe, secure way to send messages that won’t be traced by government or authorities of any kind. Send encrypted messages over the Internet with ease and do it far away from any big tech firm.
10. Kolab Now
Kolab Now has its data servers based in Switzerland with lots of features including an integrated calendar, contact list, shared folders, in-mail notes, and more. What works against Kolab Now is there’s no end-to-end encryption on messages and the security systems it uses aren’t known. Kolab Now is cheap though, going for as low as $4.99 or more for additional features.
11. Mailbox.org
Mailbox.org is based in Germany, has PGP encryption server-side, and requires a password to access encrypted emails known only to the user. The drawback to Mailbox.org is that there are no mobile apps though it does support IMAP and POP for use with third-party email apps. Calendars and contacts can be synced to mobile via ActiveSync.
12. Disroot
Disroot is a privacy-friendly email service that promises to keep your data safe and secure. Encrypted hard drives are used to store your private data on however this service does not offer end-to-end encryption.
Disroot has struggled to gain popularity in an international marketplace of email services that provide more value than what accounts here offer. Even so, some users prefer Disroot for its simple interface, adaptability to desktop and web platforms, and convenience in email messaging.
