Gmail vs Zoho Mail
In short: Zoho Mail wins on privacy, they tie on price, and Zoho Mail wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 22 October 2026.
Gmail or Zoho Mail: which should you choose?
- Gmail is the better pick if you want a mailbox that costs nothing and more space for your mail: 15 GB.
- Zoho Mail suits you best if you want your mailbox stored in the EU (Amsterdam, Dublin); UK data centre announced for 2026, not confirmed live; a provider with no advertising business behind it; and email at your own domain name.
| Feature | Gmail | Zoho Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 3.0 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 1.5 |
| Price | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Features | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Free (Google One 100 GB for more space) Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month | Mail Lite $1 per user a month, yearly |
| Free plan | Yes, 15 GB shared with Drive | Yes, up to 5 users, 5 GB, own domain |
| Storage | 15 GB | 5 GB |
| Your own domain | No | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | United States | India |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | EU (Amsterdam, Dublin); UK data centre announced for 2026, not confirmed live |
| Founded | 2004 | 2008 |
| Free trial | Free | 15 days free, and a free plan for small teams |
| Funded by advertising | Yes, or its parent company is | No |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Aliases | Plus addressing only | Yes |
| Open-source apps | No | No |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | Unknown |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
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The key differences
- Cheapest plans: Gmail Free (Google One 100 GB for more space), Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month. Zoho Mail Mail Lite, $1 per user a month, yearly.
- For free, Gmail gives you a free plan (15 GB shared with Drive), and Zoho Mail a free plan (up to 5 users, 5 GB, own domain).
- Gmail comes with 15 GB of storage and Zoho Mail with 5 GB of storage.
- Data location: United States and worldwide for Gmail, EU (Amsterdam, Dublin); UK data centre announced for 2026, not confirmed live for Zoho Mail.
- Gmail is based in the United States and Zoho Mail in India, so different privacy laws apply.
- Zoho Mail lets you bring your own domain name; Gmail doesn't.
- Only Gmail is part of an advertising business.
- For extra addresses, Gmail has plus addressing only and Zoho Mail has yes.
Common questions
Which is more private, Gmail or Zoho Mail?
Zoho Mail scores 1.5 out of 5 for privacy and Gmail 0. Zoho Mail gives you your mailbox stored in the EU (Amsterdam, Dublin); UK data centre announced for 2026, not confirmed live and a provider with no advertising business behind it.
Which is cheaper, Gmail or Zoho Mail?
Gmail costs nothing to start (Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month). Zoho Mail's cheapest plan, Mail Lite, is $1 per user a month, yearly. Zoho Mail has a free plan too: up to 5 users, 5 GB, own domain.
Do Gmail and Zoho Mail work with my own domain?
Only Zoho Mail does (Yes). With Gmail your address stays on its own domain.
Where do Gmail and Zoho Mail keep my email?
Gmail keeps it in the United States and worldwide. Zoho Mail keeps it in the EU (Amsterdam, Dublin); UK data centre announced for 2026, not confirmed live.
Price changes and news
No price changes for either since 22 October 2026. I check regularly and add any change here with its date.
The latest headlines: Gmail news · Zoho Mail news.
Not sold on either? Try these
Gmail vs mailbox.org · Zoho Mail vs mailbox.org · Gmail vs Posteo · Zoho Mail vs Posteo · Gmail vs Proton Mail · Zoho Mail vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
Decided? These guides take you through moving your mail, contacts and address: Gmail to Zoho Mail · Zoho Mail to Gmail.