Comparison of E-mail Providers

I've noticed people frequently asking which e-mail providers they should use. So I thought I'd take a look.

Things to take into consideration:

  1. Is it free?

  2. Is it open source?

  3. Can it be accessed via Tor/is it Tor exclusive?

  4. Are its servers based in the US, Canada, or Germany?

  5. Has their security been audited?

  6. How long have they been operating?

  7. What are its server log policies? Duration of those logs?

  8. Is the data storage, if any, encrypted?

Clearnet providers:

· protonmail dot ch

+ Hosted in Switzerland.
+ Free.
+ Encrypted data storage.
~ Unknown if IP is stripped in server logs. 
~ Unknown server log retention. 
~ Operating since 2013.
~ Average SSL security: ssllabs dot com/ssltest/analyze.html?d=protonmail dot ch/

· bitmessage dot org

+ Encrypted data storage.
+ Hosted in Switzerland.
+ Peer-to-peer.
+ Accounts can be used for both Bitmessage and regular e-mail.
~ Operating since 2012.
~ Runs on donations.
~ Unknown if IPs are stripped.

· autistici dot org

+ Hosted in Norway, Netherlands, and Iceland.
+ Operating since 2002.
+ Unlimited storage.
+ IPs stripped in mail and server logs.
~ Runs on donations.
- Only allows accounts for approved users. 
- Poor SSL security: ssllabs dot com/ssltest/analyze.html?d=autistici dot org

· tutanota dot de

+ Free.
+ Open source.
+ Encrypted data storage.
+ End-to-end encryption.
+ Strips IP in mail and server logs. 
~ Operating since 2011.
- Hosted in Germany.
- Server logs retained for 5 days.

· riseup dot net

+ Free.
+ Hosts hidden services.
+ Operating since 1999.
+ Encrypted data storage.
+ IPs stripped in mail and server logs. 
~ Runs on donations.
- Hosted in the United States.

· safe-mail dot net

+ Hosted in Israel.
+ Up since 1999.
~ Unknown if IP is stripped in server logs. 
~ Unknown server log retention. 
~ May require JS.
- Little space offered.
- Poor SSL security: sllabs dot com/ssltest/analyze.html?d=safe-mail dot net

· vmail dot me

+ Free.
+ Hosted in France.
+ Strips IP in mail and server logs. 
+ Excellent/superb SSL security: ssllabs dot com/ssltest/analyze.html?d=vmail dot me
~ Operating since 2010.

Further alternatives (services I'm unable to go in further depth about):

· pond dot imperialviolet dot org

Attempts to decentralize the messaging model, akin to Bitmessage.

· github dot com/prof7bit/TorChat/wiki

For use solely with Tor.     

· tox dot im

Still in super mega ultra early nascent pre-alpha. May not operate smoothly.

· lelantoss7bcnwbv

Paid access, but considered one of the best of the best. No known complaints. 

If you know of any other services you feel demand recognition or recommendation, please mention them here. If you have any information or corrections regarding information posited here, make it known.

From what I can gather, the services I would most recommend, in rough order, are:

  1. Lelantos

  2. Bitmessage

  3. Torchat

  4. Riseup

  5. Pond

  6. Tutanota

  7. Vmail

I'm neutral about Proton and Austici, and I wouldn't recommend Tox from personal experience solely because of how much more development time it needs. The only one I would recommend against is Safe-mail. Its main advantages are its longevity and server location, but those two factors aren't enough to make it completely trustworthy, especially given the options.


Comments


[3 Points] DancingWindAway:

Why no sigaint ? They hold up tight even through op. onymous ?

sigaintevyh2rzvw


[1 Points] None:

g


[1 Points] KingKuya:

I really like your criteria. Here is another list: http://www.privacytools.io/#email


[1 Points] None:

[deleted]


[1 Points] DarknetHeroesLeague:

You forgot lelantos .

Sigaint is also very good !