Gmail is the most widely used email provider, and while its basic service is free, an increasing number of users are considering alternatives due to frequent data breaches and suspicious data collecting policies. One of the available options is Fastmail, an ad-free email service provider that claims to value user privacy, albeit for a monthly fee.

Considering the importance of email security, especially 

, you should choose the safest option without compromising usability. 

This extensive Fastmail vs. Gmail comparison will help you make the right decision

 by analyzing the features, prices, and security options of the platforms.

You’ll learn answers to questions like:

We’ll explore the primary differences between the two email platforms by comparing their:

Gmail’s main selling point is its easy-to-use, modern UI. It helps you organize your emails efficiently with categories and labels.

 are sorted into one of these five categories:

—Personal emails and conversations that don’t belong to any other category

—Updates, messages, and other notifications from social media platforms

—Marketing emails related to offers, sales, and promotional material

—Non-personal content like statements, receipts, bills, and confirmations

—Emails related to discussion boards, mailing lists, and similar online groups

Gmail’s algorithm automatically filters your emails into categories,

 but you can manually move messages between tabs and set special rules regarding which senders will appear in specific categories.

 are another way to organize your emails. They’re customizable tags that you can add to any email or nest into other labels creating a folder-like hierarchy. Unlike categories, emails can have more than one label.

You can freely edit or remove the labels with one notable exception—the Inbox label. All incoming emails are tagged with the Inbox label, which you can only remove from messages after reading them.

Fastmail’s interface is similarly minimalist and easy to use

, but it provides fewer organizational options. There are no distinct categories, resulting in a default “Inbox” view containing all incoming emails in one place.

The platform has a tag system almost identical to Gmail’s label and a folder system similar to categories. Still, you can’t nest tags in Fastmail and must set up folders manually—no algorithm automatically filters incoming messages.

Fastmail’s user interface also makes one questionable design choice—

it doesn’t let you see tags and folders simultaneously. 

You have to go into the platform’s settings and toggle which of the two email organizational structures will be visible on the main screen. It is a lengthy process compared to quickly choosing from Gmail’s elegant sidebar with labels and topbar with categories.

you can’t pay for Gmail separately—it’s only available as a part of Google’s G-Suite productivity software package

, also known as Google Workspace. Besides Gmail, this package contains:

It’s a decent package, and the integration between every program and Gmail makes Google’s offer particularly attractive. All these programs are also available for free, including Gmail.

The paid tiers of Google Workspace offer more storage space, enhanced security, and priority customer support. You can choose between four premium packages, each available as a 2-week free trial. Check out the details in the following table:

The first noticeable difference between G-Suite’s price tiers is the amount of storage space you get per user. Each tier also brings more complex video conferencing options than the previous one. Business Plus and Enterprise provide significantly better cybersecurity and data privacy.

Fastmail doesn’t have a free tier but is more affordable

—primarily due to the absence of additional productivity tools. This email service is available at the following prices:

The main benefits of the Standard plan are:

Third-party app compatibility (Apple Mail and Outlook)

Fastmail’s final tier also gives you access to tamper-proof records of your email correspondence

. The email retention archive is useful for business users, but whether this is enough to warrant paying the highest price for Fastmail depends on personal priorities.

While Fastmail is more affordable than G-Suite, you should consider these two points:

Fastmail is only an email app, while G-Suite is an entire productivity package

Gmail has a basic free version, while Fastmail only has a free trial

 offer different amounts of storage per user, depending on your subscription. Here’s a comparison of how much space you get with each platform:

Google easily outdoes Fastmail with its cloud infrastructure. 

You get more storage space with a free Google account

 than you would with the most affordable subscription to Fastmail.

So far, our comparison has shown that Gmail provides a better interface, access to practical productivity tools, and more storage than Fastmail. This makes Fastmail seem like nothing more than a more affordable alternative to Gmail, which would be true if it weren’t for 

Both Fastmail’s and Gmail’s security relies on the 

 in the past, mainly because it doesn’t protect your emails while resting on incoming or outgoing servers—which is where 

You can get stronger S/MIME encryption with Gmail

, but only with the highest-paying Enterprise tier, whose price isn’t publicly disclosed.

While Fastmail uses TLS, it comes out slightly ahead of Google's approach to 

Fastmail has a Masked Email feature providing anonymity in email correspondence

neither Fastmail nor Google offer end-to-end encryption (E2EE) by default, making these email providers a less-than-ideal solution for users who prioritize security.

If you’re looking for an email service that offers top-notch security without compromising on features or ease of use, 

 is an excellent option. Unlike Fastmail and Gmail, 

Skiff automatically offers E2EE to provide ultimate protection

Skiff Mail’s encryption is based on a set of two keys:

—Shared between the sender and the recipient

—Created by the recipient and stored exclusively on their device

When you send a message through Skiff Mail, the only person with access to it is the intended recipient with their unique decryption key.

 Since the encryption happens on the device level, no unauthorized person can read your message until it reaches the recipient—not even Skiff’s team.

 It’s also more secure than S/MIME because encryption and decryption keys are stored on user devices, not the provider’s servers. With Gmail and Fastmail, your encryption is only as secure as their servers.

Unlike most security-oriented email providers, Skiff remains competitive regarding features and usability

with a productivity suite that rivals Google Workspace. You can get a 

Your Skiff aliases, folders, and labels are listed on the platform’s left sidebar

, where you can easily see and manage all aspects of your correspondence at a glance. There’s no need to go into the platform settings like you’d have to with Fastmail.

Fastmail hides these features behind a paywall, while Skiff Mail offers them for free.

 Skiff also supports integration with crypto wallets, making it the perfect tool for anonymous email communication. You can connect Skiff to

Fastmail vs. Gmail—make an informed choice

This comprehensive guide will show you how to delete an email account with popular providers, such as Apple Mail, Outlook, Gmail, and Yahoo. We'll explore the necessary precautions you should take before doing so and present the steps for effortless deletion.

If you're not giving up on email communication entirely but switching to another provider, 

you will learn which security-fist alternative to consider.

How to close an email account—a step-by-step guide

Deleting an email account is similar for all email service providers, but there are crucial differences you should know to be able to complete the process seamlessly. 

We have covered the deletion process for the following four popular email services:

How to delete an old email account in Apple iCloud Mail

The first thing to know if you wish to deactivate or delete your iCloud account is that the action removes the iCloud account and its data from the device.

To ensure optimal security, it is advisable not only to delete your iCloud account but also to deactivate your Apple ID. This way, you can prevent unauthorized access to your personal data and maintain the integrity of your information according to iCloud’s security practices.

If you wish to deactivate specific iCloud services on your phone (such as Mail) without deleting your entire iCloud account, you can do so by disabling individual services to prevent them from syncing with the cloud. To delete an email account from iCloud, you should:

Look for a specific item named Mail, and toggle the slider

Once disabled, locally stored data will no longer sync with iCloud. This also means that 

you won't be able to recover data through the cloud

Log into your Gmail account and find the profile picture in the upper-right corner of the screen. Click on this icon, and a drop-down menu will appear

 choice from this menu. This action will direct you to your 

 tab located in the lefthand sidebar. This part allows you to control your data and 

. Verify your identity by re-entering your 

 or using two-factor authentication (if set up)

Locate the Gmail service in the catalog of Google services linked to your account. Click on the trash bin symbol or the 

Follow the instructions to remove your Gmail account. After choosing the Gmail option, Google will present a confirmation message explaining the impacts of eliminating your Gmail account. Comply with the instructions to continue

Provide an existing email address when asked and hit

. This email must not be a Gmail address. To authenticate your existing address, you will receive a confirmation message, finalizing the deletion process

 doesn’t entail deleting your entire Google account. You will still be able to access YouTube, Google Drive, or Google Photos with the same credentials.

How to remove an email account in Microsoft Outlook

, you need to close your Microsoft account.

Once you do that, your email and contacts will be deleted from Microsoft servers, and you won’t be able to recover them. If you use your Microsoft account with Xbox, Skype, OneDrive, or other Microsoft services, you'll no longer be able to access those services.

Before you close your account for good, Microsoft recommends completing this clean-up checklist:

Use any money you may have in your account

Cancel any subscriptions associated with your account

Let people know how to reach you in the future

Check out the steps for closing your Microsoft account:

 section located on the platform’s support page and initiate the process

Follow the instructions to sign in and/or verify your account (if prompted)

Check whether the page shows the correct Microsoft account, and then click 

Read the list and click the checkboxes to acknowledge you’ve read each item

The terms of the closure will include choosing to be able to re-open your account in the next 30 or 60 days if you change your mind. 

Choose the reason why you're closing the account in the 

How to permanently delete a Yahoo! Mail account

 at any time, provided it has no remaining balance and it's been 90 days since the end of the paid term for any canceled subscriptions.

Here’s how to delete your Yahoo! Mail account:

Sign in to the Yahoo account you want to delete. You may be asked to enter your Yahoo Mail password for verification

Scroll down the page and confirm your decision by entering your password once again

Complete the CAPTCHA security verification

Your Yahoo! Mail account will be permanently deleted after a 30-day grace period. During this period, your account will be deactivated, and you won't be able to access it.

It's important to note that after the 30-day grace period, you'll lose access to all your data and content, like your 

 You should save any crucial data or emails from your Yahoo! Mail account before proceeding with the deletion process.

Looking for an alternative provider? Ensure it offers end-to-end encryption

Once you’ve successfully deleted your email account, you might be on the lookout for an 

, especially since the mentioned providers don’t offer satisfactory measures to 

One of the key elements to consider when exploring alternative email providers is 

. This encryption standard ensures that only the sender and intended recipient can read the plaintext versions of emails, preventing 

 from accessing and potentially misusing the information.

Most mainstream email service providers offer 

 to safeguard your emails. This encryption standard 

 while traveling between servers but leaves them vulnerable while resting on servers. The encryption also happens on the provider’s servers with the encryption keys created and stored by the provider. This endangers the security and 

 can steal the decryption keys from the provider’s servers and access your messages

The email service can decrypt your messages at any time and read them

With E2EE, encryption and decryption occur on the sender's and recipient's devices,

 respectively, with the encryption keys created and stored by the user. This ensures the messages can only be accessed and read by the intended recipient and are not accessible to anyone—not even the email service provider.

Skiff Mail—a comprehensive email service that prioritizes security

 is the best choice for individuals and organizations due to its robust end-to-end encryption (E2EE), sleek design, user-friendly interface, and advanced features.

 from all unauthorized third parties, including Skiff's team. It uses two distinct keys to 

—one for encryption and another for decryption. The latter is generated by the user and remains on their device, which is crucial because:

Intercepted emails are unreadable to hackers without the decryption key

Hackers who infiltrate the provider's servers and the provider itself can't read the plaintext copies of your messages since they don't have access to the decryption key

Skiff allows you to sign up without leaving any personal information and

doesn't store your login credentials on its servers

, adding a crucial layer of security and privacy to your online communication. It also implements 

 via the Authenticator app, preventing unauthorized access to your account even if someone steals your login credentials. The platform is 

 and completely transparent about its security practices—you can confirm its encryption model and other safety measures by reading the public 

Enjoy Skiff’s end-to-end encrypted product suite

In addition to Skiff Mail, the platform provides a comprehensive end-to-end encrypted product suite comparable to 

Check out the description of each product in the table below:

seamlessly integrates with your PC and smartphone devices

—it is available on all major browsers and has dedicated apps for 

Starting with Skiff's free plan, you can enjoy premium features, including a generous 10 GB of storage space, four 

Upgrading to paid plans unlocks even more benefits for efficient communication and day-to-day operations. The 

plans provide 100 GB and 1 TB of storage space, respectively, along with 

, up to 15 aliases, and unlimited messages, folders, and labels. The 

How to delete an email account efficiently

It’s easy to get lost in emails without proper organization. Managing several conversations and email sources without a system hurts your productivity and increases the chances of missing urgent mail.

This guide will show you how to create a folder in Gmail for specific emails

 and keep your inbox neatly organized. You’ll then learn about a 

 to Gmail that offers robust email management features without the privacy issues 

Gmail refers to folders as “labels.” This difference is mostly semantic, as labels serve the same purpose as folders—letting you separate your emails for a better overview of your correspondence.

You can create a new label in a few quick steps:

 section, so you can click on it to see all the emails classified under it. 

To label an email, open it and click the tag icon in the upper menu, as shown below.

If you need to further categorize your mail within specific labels, you can add a sublabel for additional clarity. Follow these steps to create one:

Hover the mouse over your label and click the three-dot icon

The sublabel will be placed under its root label

, which you can expand or collapse for a clearer view.

How to create a new folder in Gmail mobile app

There’s a high chance you regularly check emails while away from your desktop or laptop. Ensuring your inbox is organized is even more important when using the Gmail app on the go because you’re not as focused as you are in your office.

If you need to create a label in the mobile app, you can do it by following these steps

Open your inbox and tap the three-line menu in the upper-left corner

How to change folder names in Gmail and delete unused folders

Gmail makes it easy to modify or delete labels. You can find both options by clicking the three-dot icon next to the label you want to edit/remove.

 option lets you rename the label or nest it under another one, while 

 if you don’t want to see it but still wish to keep it.

There aren’t many label editing options besides the above-mentioned. You can use the 

 option to color-code your folders, and that’s about it. Still, this should be enough to let you keep all your mail sorted.

An alternative way to manage Gmail labels

All of the aforementioned options are available directly from your Gmail inbox. If you want a comprehensive overview of your labels and management options, you can find it in the settings menu by following three steps:

Tap the gear icon in the upper-right corner of the screen

When you scroll past system labels and categories, 

Are Gmail’s organization features worth it?

There’s no doubt Gmail’s email management features can streamline your workflow and make you more efficient. The problem is, such features come at the cost of your 

Email scanning, targeted ads, and other forms of privacy invasion

, Yahoo, etc.) Google relies on user data to profit. The free Gmail version used by most has ads in the inbox, which isn’t only obtrusive but also raises the question of how Google decides which ads to show you.

. Google monitors your behavior while you’re signed into the account to understand your interests and target you with personalized ads. While the provider claims it doesn’t read the contents of your emails for advertising purposes, 

it uses other sensitive information like your location and demographics

 scan your emails’ contents for other features

 like Smart Compose. It gives suggestions as you type to help you write an email faster. Convenient as it may seem, this option wouldn’t work without the ability to 

read and understand your previous correspondence

You can disable Smart Compose and opt out of email scanning, but this still wouldn’t fix the other major Gmail problem—weak encryption.

Encryption is the backbone of email security. It transforms your emails into strings of unintelligible characters so that the email’s contents are invisible to unauthorized users. Most email providers offer 

, which is broken down into two categories:

—Keeps your emails ciphered while they’re traveling between servers

—safeguards your messages while they’re idle on the provider’s server

Worse yet, TLS does nothing to protect emails resting on Gmail’s servers. Google 

 and suggested using the PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) protocol, but doing so can be complex and inconvenient. PGP is also 

To enjoy complete privacy and minimize the risk of 

Unlike standard encryption, E2EE gives users full control of their data. It’s the gold standard of email security because it addresses the two main privacy concerns—encryption point and key ownership. The following table compares E2EE to standard encryption from these perspectives:

, which ciphers your email before it leaves your device. The message reaches the provider’s server encrypted, so even they can’t see its contents.

Google doesn’t support end-to-end encryption by default.

 It integrates with S/MIME, a common E2EE protocol, but this option is only available to 

 and still involves entrusting Google with your private key. If you want to protect your emails without unnecessary costs or risks, 

choose a fully end-to-end encrypted provider like 

 using strong end-to-end encryption to ensure you retain full ownership of your data. Each email you send is encrypted with a key created by the user, so nobody but the recipient holding the private decryption key can see the plaintext version—not even Skiff’s team.

For additional safety, Skiff Mail supports:

—A multi-step login method requiring a 

 generated by the Authenticator app. 2FA ensures someone can’t access your account even if they obtain your login credentials

 without leaving any personal information, and your login credentials won’t be stored on the servers

The above security measures are combined with an 

Peter Lu