About Paul O’Brien
I write about email tools, productivity, privacy, and the social web at paulobrien.com. My focus is on helping people make informed decisions about the tools they rely on every day — especially those that shape how we communicate, organise our work, and protect our digital lives.
You might know me as The Email Guy — but the goal here is simple: clear, practical writing based on real use, not marketing claims.
What I focus on
Email tools and services
Email sits at the centre of modern work and communication. I spend time:
- reviewing email providers
- comparing inbox apps
- testing security and privacy features
- exploring workflows that reduce friction and overload
Whether you’re looking for better privacy, smoother workflows, or just a calmer inbox, I aim to explain the trade-offs clearly and honestly.
Independent perspective
I’m independent — I don’t work for any email provider or software company. I use the tools I write about myself and base everything on first-hand experience.
If I recommend something, it’s because I genuinely think it’s worth your time.
Other topics I write about
While email is the core theme, I also cover:
- productivity tools and habits
- privacy and data protection
- the social web and decentralised networks
- digital independence and user choice
How this site is supported
Some links on this site (particularly in reviews) may be affiliate links. If you choose to buy through them, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.
This helps support the site and keeps the content free. You can read more on the Affiliate Link Disclosure page.
Get in touch
Have a question, suggestion, or idea?
You can also follow my work here:
🐦 X: @pwob
🐘 Mastodon: @pwob@mastodon.social
🦋 Bluesky: @paulobrien.com
🌐 Social web: paulobrien.com/social-web
Thanks for visiting —
Paul O’Brien