Google Gmail presents the safest alternative for free email. It ticks all the boxes for online storage, email is encrypted, and it intends to remain free for the foreseeable future.
Some readers have been concerned that Google Gmail is rationalising its 2 billion user houses. It will remove inactive accounts from December 2023 after giving plenty of notice/s to those users.
Inactive accounts are those that, over the past two years, don’t
- Read or send an email.
- Use Google Drive.
- Watch a YouTube video.
- Share a photo.
- Download an app.
- Use Google Search.
- Use ‘Sign in with Google’ to a third-party app or service.
Its advice is that if you have multiple Gmail accounts, use them.
Will Google Gmail remain free? Yes
While Google cannot say ‘never say never’, it intends that its Gmail system will remain free to consumers for the foreseeable future. It is integral to the Android smartphone, tablet, TV, and Auto ecosystem.
We cannot predict if Google will impose tighter storage limits on its data storage, currently 15GB for free accounts for Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. You can upgrade to Google One, which has 100/200GB and 1TB storage at $2.49/4.39/12.49 per month (a 16% discount is paid annually).
What Google Apps can I use for free?
This list is not exhaustive (see here) and covers Google’s online cloud offerings.
| Google (search) Chrome (Web browser) | Gmail (mail) Messages (SMS) Drive (cloud storage) | Contacts Calendar Photos | Android system Apps e.g., Files (file explorer) Wallet (Payments) |
| Authenticator (2-factor authentication) | Wear (watches) Fit (Health) | Assistant (OK Google) Home (Automation) | Google Web-based Docs, Sheets, Slides |
| Meet (video conf) Duo (video/call) | Translate Audiobooks | Lens (image search) | Maps (Navigation) |
| Google Play (Apps) | News (news aggregator) | YouTube (videos) YouTube TV Google TV | YT Music (music) YT Kids Podcasts |
What Google Apps do I pay for?
Google Workspace (formerly known as G Suite) starts from $8.40 per month and covers business and education users for:
| Gmail | Drive | Meet | Calendar |
| Chat | Jamboard | Docs | Sheets |
| Slides | Keep | Sites | Forms |
| AppSheet |
CyberShack’s view – Google Gmail is the safest bet for free personal email
Rule #1 – never rely on a broadband supplier’s free email address – read TPG/iiNet/Internode/Westnet will jettison its email users.
If free is important, then Google Gmail ticks all the boxes, but you can also look at Microsoft Outlook online webmail and Apple iCloud.
If you don’t mind paying, Microsoft’s Outlook Exchange and off-line service is highly secure and inexpensive, starting from $5.50 per month.
4 comments
Jeffrey Fairbairn
Interesting about email. I retired and used Optus email. It was OK 10 years ago but now I have finally escaped. It gives 500mb free! It is old and Optus don’t care. Since the hack , I would get 20 e-mails each morning that were scams. Moving e-mail is painful, but what Optus don’t get is that once I don’t use their e-mail, there is nothing holding me to them to use their network. I have broad band NBN, home phone and two mobiles all on Optus. I can get that anywhere. So by neglecting the e-mail for at lest the past 8-10 years it just like the ad “Nothing Special” ! see ya Optus.
Ray Shaw
You got it in one. Make sure the email address is not tied to the ISP. I am beginning to think that Optus, Telstra, Vodafone, TPG et al., don’t want consumers – just businesses where they can make money. I have had terrific service from Aussie Broadband who tell me that hundreds, nay thousands of TPG customers are flocking to it.
Graham Tresidder
As IiNet is abandoning me re my and my wife’s email addresses, I am interested in Gmail as an alternative for both. My current client is Outlook where I have a significant folder/subfolder structure in place. I need to preserve the contents and wish to continue to use the structure into the future. Can I export the whole thing across to Gmail and if so, how do I go about it?
My wife does not have these needs.
Ray Shaw
First, take up the free offer to transfer to TMC and insist on IMAP (all emails kept on its server). You need time to get the Gmail address and advise everyone. Next, set up Gmail and add the iiNet address in IMAP mode. That should download a complete copy to Gmail servers. Note that I have not tried TMC as I don’t use it. You may have to ask TMC for help if it does not work. Once all is working, set a diary reminder to cancel TMC before 15 September 2024, when the free period is up.