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How To Update Google Play Services On An Android Phone Or Tablet

Whether you use an Android tablet, a flagship Android phone, or a budget device, Google Play Services plays an important role in your core experience. It handles your Google accounts, connects your Google apps, and acts as the glue that holds your essential apps together. It also allows must-have apps like Gmail and the Play Store to communicate with the OS. Here's how to keep Google Play Services updated.

Google Play Services: A brief introduction

Google Play Services acts as a bridge between third-party apps and other Google services like Sign in, Google Maps, and more.

Google frequently releases updates to Google Play Services to deliver a seamless experience on Android. The system usually updates it in the background without any manual input. However, there are times when it fails to install the latest Google Play Services and causes unexpected errors on your device. Before you head to the nearest service center, update Google Play Services to troubleshoot unusual behavior.

Why should you update Google Play Services on an Android phone?

Updating Google Play Services to the newest version can help troubleshoot common issues with your Android phone. Here are the reasons to update it on your Android phone:

  • A bugged Play Services install can be responsible for everything from overheating to rapid battery drain.

  • You may face glitches when using Google services on your Android phone.

  • Third-party apps and games may run into exchanging information with Google.

  • The Google Play Services framework helps Google push modules as a part of Project Mainline. This lets you get critical security updates sooner via the Google Play Store without waiting for over-the-air updates from your device manufacturer.

  • Google Play Services makes your Android device more secure. For example, Google Play Protect, part of Google Play Services, scans your apps before installing them to ensure they're malware-free.

  • It may warn you if an app you installed from a third-party website could be harmful.

  • If automatic updates are activated in the Play Store, the latest Play Services build should be installed on your Android device. However, if you're concerned Google Play Services is outdated on your device, here's how to manually update the APK through the Play Store and by using APKMirror, Play Store alternatives, or other sources on the web.

    Google Play Services isn't the same as the Play Store app. It is bundled with Android and doesn't cause excessive data usage or battery drain.

    \

    Update Google Play Services on Android

    There are two ways to update Google Play Services on your Android device. You can use the Google Play Store, which is the easy route, or download and install the latest version from APKMirror, a trusted source for vetted APK files. Let's look at both ways, starting with how to update it using the Google Play Store method.

    Update Google Play Services via the Google Play Store

    The Google Play Services listing is hidden by default from your view and doesn't appear when you search for it on the Google Play Store. Instead, you'll open your device's Settings menu to find the Play Store listing.

    To locate the Google Play Services app, follow these steps:

    These screenshots follow the process on a Google Pixel, though the steps are similar for devices from Samsung and other Android OEMs.

  • Open the Settings app, then select the Apps section.

  • Tap See all apps.

    Selecting the Apps section in the Settings app.

    Tapping the See all apps section to view all installed apps.

    Close

  • In the upper-right corner, tap the Search icon.

  • Type Play and tap the Google Play Services entry.

    Tapping the search icon in the upper-right corner to search for a specific installed app.

    Searching for the Google Play Services app in the All apps section

    Close

  • Scroll down and tap App details. This takes you to the official listing on the Google Play Store.

  • Tap the Update button.

    Selecting the App details section for the Google Play Services app.

    Updating the Google Play Services app directly from the Google Play Store.

    Close

  • If you don't see a new update pending, your phone may have the latest Google Play Services app version installed. If you're confident you're missing a newer version, you can rely on APKMirror to sideload the update.

    Update Google Play Services via APKMirror

    Before you begin, find out if the latest Google Play Services version is installed on your Android phone. Here's what you'll do:

  • Head to the Apps menu in Android Settings (refer to the steps above).

  • Select All apps.

  • Search for Google Play Services and tap it to open the App info menu.

  • Scroll down and note the version number.

    A screenshot showing Google Play Services in Settings

    A screenshot showing Google Play Services version

    Close

  • Following this, search for Google Play Services on APKMirror and check if the version number of the latest release matches the one installed on your phone. If it doesn't match, download and manually update Google Play Services.

    To download the latest Google Play Services version from APKMirror, follow these steps:

  • Go to the Google Play Services main page on APKMirror.

  • Tap the most recent listing under the All versions section.

  • Tap the See Available Downloads button.

    Selecting the latest version of the Google Play Store on APKMirror

    Tapping the See Available Downloads button to view all Google Play Store versions on APKMirror

    Close

  • You'll likely want to download the arm64-v8a variant. All modern Android smartphones run on a 64-bit architecture (arm64). Download the APK version of the app, not the Bundle.

  • Additionally, download a nodpi variant to ensure the app runs on any device, regardless of the default dots per inch (DPI) of the display.

    Tapping the Download APK button to download the latest version of Google Play Service on APKMirror

    About to download the Google Play Store APK variant that works on all devices via APKMirror

    Close

  • If prompted, select Download anyway to save the file. Swipe down from the top of the status bar, then tap the notification after it's downloaded.

  • Tap Update.

    Tapping the Download anyway option to continue downloading the Google Play Services app from APKMirror

    Selecting the Update option to confirm and install the Google Play Services app update manually from APKMirror

    Close

  • You may be required to download the bundled version of Google Play Services in the future since the APK format is being phased out. App bundles aren't as user-friendly as APK files, but it is possible to install them. If you want to download the bundled version of Google Play Services, learn how to install it with the APKMirror Installer app.

    Regarding third-party APK distribution websites, APKMirror is your safest bet. It was developed by Android Police's founder, Artem Russakovskii. If you're looking for other options, various Google Play Store alternatives may contain the latest version of Google Play Services.

    If you still have issues using Google Play Services, go to the app info menu to clear the cache and data. When you clear the Google Play Services cache and data, it removes some information on your device, such as transit cards, COVID cards, financial cards in Google Wallet, and more.

    Following the steps below, you may also need to reconfirm your saved payment details in Google Wallet and sign in again on your Google account on all devices.

  • Go to the See all apps menu in Settings and open Google Play Services (refer to the steps above).

  • Select Storage and tap Clear Cache.

    A screenshot showing Google Play Services storage menu

    A screenshot showing Google Play Services cache menu

    Close

  • Tap Clear storage and select Clear all data.

    A screenshot showing Google Play Services clear storage menu

    A screenshot showing Google Play Services clear all data menu

    Close

  • Keep Google Play Services up-to-date

    Updating Google Play Services can also work wonders if you have strange bugs, glitches, or odd battery-draining issues. If you have an Amazon Fire tablet, learn how to install the Google Play Store to enhance your experience. It isn't as simple as installing a single app, but we walk you through the process every step of the way.

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    UK Startup Accuses Google Of 'predatory Conduct' Over Withdrawal Of Gmail API

    Google has been accused of exploiting a regulatory gap to terminate a startup's access to the Gmail API.

    London-based Gener8 said the API is "critical" to its business. The company offers people control of the data that the likes of Gmail harvest. Users can then monetise their information.

    Thousands of firms already harvest and sell this data. That's how Google became the fourth most valuable company in the world.

    Gener8 promises to take the power back. The startup has built an app that shows users the data that businesses have about them.

    They are then offered two options. One prevents tracking from third-party companies. The ads that they support are then removed from browsers.

    The other option permits Gener8 to anonymise, aggregate, and monetise user data. In return, the startup provides points. The points are then exchanged for products, discounts, and donations.

    The service has proven popular. Since launching in 2018, Gener8 has attracted over 1 million users, £9mn in funding, and gushing praise on the iconic Dragons' Den.

    After reaching a valuation of £39mn last month, the startup declared it was on track to become a unicorn this decade. Google's intervention could stall the plan.

    A regulatory loophole?

    The Gmail API gives Gener8 access to electronic receipts. The company can then extract and sell anonymised transaction data.

    Gener8 has been open about the service. When it requested access to the Gmail API, the startup explained the plan to commercialise the data.

    Google approved the application in January 2023. But 18 months later, the corporation had a change of heart.

    In July, Google sent Gener8 a message. The company was withdrawing access to the Gmail API due to evidence that Gener8 was selling Gmail data.  

    Sam Jones, the founder and CEO of Gener8, described the move as "predatory conduct" and "a clear attempt to suppress a disruptive challenger."

    "They've put their hands around our throat in a really anti-competitive manner," Jones told TNW.

    Gener8 CEO Sam JonesJones warns that Google could restrict data access to numerous companies. Credit: Gener8Gener8 CEO Sam Jones

    Gener8 was accused of violating Google policy. But the startup suspects that the true explanation is a gap in regulation.

    For services such as Search and the Play Store that fall under the remit of the EU's Digital Markets Act, Google has introduced a Data Portability API. This allows users to transfer their data to Gener8.

    Gmail, however, was overlooked for DMA designation. Consequently, the service doesn't fall under the same scrutiny as Search or the Play Store.

    But that exposes a curious contradiction in Google's actions.

    The Google rulebook

    The Gmail API and Data Portability API are governed by the same user data policy. But the rules appear to have been applied inconsistently.

    Gener8 has also requested access to the Data Portability API. In that application, Google has not raised any concerns about selling data.

    Jones has an explanation. "Google's interpretation of its own policy seems to vary depending on whether a regulator is watching," he said.

    Jones has promised to fight Google's decision. He accuses the company of attacking consumer choice and fair competition. Other data businesses, he warns, could also suffer the consequences.

    Gener8 hopes Gmail will soon face the stricter DMA obligations. The startup also suspects that withdrawing access to the Gmail IP would breach GDPR rights to data portability.

    Developments in Gener8's home country provide another csuse for optimism. The UK is currently developing a DMA equivalent. Gener8 wants the rules to enforce tighter obligations on data portability.

    "Google often claims to be a champion of data portability and user empowerment," Jones said. "But we can really judge a company's values by how it behaves when the regulator isn't standing over its shoulder."


    10 Best Business Email Providers For Small Businesses

    When you're first starting out with your business, using a standard email like yourname@gmail.Com is all well and good. But as your brand evolves, marketing needs change, and customer lists grow, you might have to step up your email game. To establish your credibility and make space for growth, you'll need a professional business email address with a custom domain (for example, yourname@yourbusiness.Com).

    The best way to do this is to use a business email provider like Gmail or Microsoft Outlook. Providers like these let you have a custom domain for your email address to make your emails more professional and credible. Plus, they give you more features for cloud storage, productivity, team collaboration and more.

    To help you find the best business email providers for small businesses, we ranked some of our favorites based on features, costs, usability and more.

    Best business email providers at a glance

    Free plan available

    Starting cost*

    Free email domain

    Productivity suite

    Expert score

    Google Workspace

    X

    $6/user/month

    X

    4.99 out of 5

    Microsoft 365

    X

    $6/user/month

    X

    4.84 out of 5

    Zoho Mail

    $1/user/month

    X

    4.76 out of 5

    Hostinger

    X

    $2.99/month

    X

    4.65 out of 5

    Bluehost

    X

    $14.99/year

    X

    4.47 out of 5

    ScalaHosting

    X

    $6.95/month

    X

    X

    4.42 out of 5

    IceWarp

    X

    $2.30/user/month

    X

    4.37 out of 5

    IONOS

    X

    $1/month

    X

    4.36 out of 5

    Proton Mail

    $3.99/month

    X

    X

    4.16 out of 5

    InMotion Hosting

    X

    $2.99/month

    X

    4.12 out of 5

    *With annual billing. Month-to-month prices are also available at a higher rate.

    A business email is a professional email address used for work or business (aka non-personal) purposes. Business emails have custom domains instead of generic ones (i.E., yourname@yourbusiness.Com instead of yourname@gmail.Com) and make you look more professional and credible. They also help promote your brand.

    Google Workspace: Best email service for businesses overall

    Google Workspace logo.Image: Google

    Expert score: 4.99 out of 5

    Pros and cons Pros Cons
  • Most beginner-friendly business email provider.
  • Mobile and desktop email apps with built-in chat and video conferencing.
  • Send and receive money via email.
  • Strong business email security.
  • Comes with Docs, Sheets, Slides and a calendar with appointment booking.
  • No free domains (you'll need to buy one separately).
  • No multi-user plans outside of Enterprise.
  • 25 MB max attachment limit (Microsoft 365 allows up to 150MB).
  • Website builder is very simple.
  • Who it's best for

  • Business email beginners.
  • Teams that work collaboratively (e.G., remote teams).
  • Sales or service businesses wanting a calendar with built-in appointment booking.
  • Businesses that need ultra-reliable communication and productivity tools.
  • Brands doing business internationally (built-in language translation and Google Pay).
  • You probably know of Google Workspace and may have used it before. One of the most compelling reasons to choose it is for its value: It comes with a full suite of office software and everything you need to communicate, collaborate and create documents, spreadsheets and presentations. You can even work offline and your work will automatically save and sync once you go online.

    Interface of Google Workspace's Gmail email.Gmail business email interface.

    Another reason to choose Google Workspace is its ease of use. If you're a complete beginner to email hosting, you can't go wrong with Google Workspace. It's super easy to set up and navigate and is overall one of the most user-friendly platforms around. You also get Google Meet for video conferencing and up to 5 TB of cloud storage on the highest plans. With Google Pay, you can even send and receive money internationally.

    Google Workspace is our top business email provider overall, but it doesn't have the same advanced features as its top competitor, Microsoft 365. However, it is far easier to use, and its features are usually more than enough. Another drawback is it doesn't offer any free domains, meaning you'll need to already have one or purchase one from a domain registrar.

    Google Workspace pricing

    For most small businesses, the Starter plan will be all you ever need. But if you want to increase storage or video conferencing limits, upgrades are available.

    Business Starter

    Cost: $6/user/month

    What's included: 

  • Secure business email on your domain.
  • 30 GB Google Drive storage.
  • Security and management controls, including two-step verification.
  • Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, Chat and Forms.
  • Shared calendars and notes.
  • Video calls with up to 100 participants, 24-hour meetings, digital whiteboarding and recordings.
  • Website and survey builder.
  • Google Payments.
  • Automatic language translation.
  • 24/7 support.
  • Business Standard

    Cost: $12/user/month

    Build on everything in the Starter plan with: 

  • 2 TB total storage.
  • Shared team drives.
  • Target audience sharing.
  • Appointment booking pages.
  • Video conferencing with up to 150 participants.
  • Business Plus

    Cost: $18/user/month

    Everything in the Starter and Standard plans, plus: 

  • 5 TB total storage.
  • 500 participant video conferencing plus attendance tracking.
  • eDiscovery and email retention.
  • Enhanced security, including Vault, and advanced endpoint management.
  • Our expert opinion

    Google Workspace's plans are value-packed with communication, collaboration and productivity apps and are used by some of the biggest companies worldwide. Shared docs, spreadsheets, presentations, calendars and video conferencing make it the best email hosting service for small businesses, especially beginners.

    Zoho Mail: Best for free and low-cost business emails

    Zoho Mail logo.Image: Zoho

    Expert score: 4.76 out of 5

    Pros and cons Pros Cons
  • Free-forever email hosting plan on a domain you own.
  • Paid plans start at $1/month.
  • Secure business email plus office software from $3/month.
  • High attachment limits — 250 MB in the $1/month plan and up to 1 GB on the highest tier plan.
  • No plans come with a free domain.
  • No month-to-month contracts.
  • No multi-user plans after the free one.
  • Small storage and attachment limits in free and low-cost plans.
  • Who it's best for

  • Businesses and entrepreneurs on super-tight budgets needing a free email host.
  • Startups and small operations looking for low-cost productivity and communications tools.
  • Companies using and wanting to easily integrate other Zoho apps.
  • If budget constraints are your main concern, look no further than Zoho Mail. Though you'll need to buy a domain name separately, it's one of the best ways to get a free business email address. The free plan provides up to five email addresses, and the cheapest premium plan costs just $1 per month, like IONOS. However, Zoho Mail includes more storage in its free and base tier (5GB) compared to IONOS' Basic plan (2GB).

    Interface of Zoho Mail's email.Zoho Mail's desktop and mobile app interfaces. Image: Zoho Mail

    In addition to its low-cost plans, Zoho Mail is also recognized as one of the best business email providers for its team collaboration tools, which include shared calendars and appointment-booking. Overall, it's our best alternative to Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 if you need a truly low-cost option (there's even a free plan). None of its plans cost more than $4 per user per month.

    Because the free plan has low attachment size limits and low storage limits overall, it's best for those who don't depend heavily on email but want a business email address to maintain a professional image. The biggest drawback of Zoho Mail is the interface isn't as user-friendly — though, it can be worth it for the low price.

    Zoho Mail pricing

    Zoho Mail is the go-to free business email if you own a domain. Entrepreneurs and small teams can create up to five custom email addresses completely free of charge. Then scale up with plans that add more storage, functionality and even a full suite of office productivity and communication tools similar to Google Workspace or Microsoft 365.

    Free

    Cost: $0

    What's included:

  • Up to five free users.
  • Five email addresses with 5 GB storage/inbox on a domain you own.
  • 25 MB attachments.
  • Webmail and mobile apps.
  • Mail Lite

    Cost: $1/user/month for 5GB storage; $1.25/user/month for 10GB storage

    What's included:

  • Email hosting for multiple domains.
  • Email aliases.
  • Shared calendars, emails and folders.
  • Team collaboration tool.
  • Tasks, notes and bookmarks.
  • Up to 250 MB attachments.
  • Mobile apps.
  • Mail Premium

    Cost: $4/user/month

    Everything in Mail Lite, plus:

  • 50 GB storage.
  • Up to 1 GB attachments.
  • Email archiving and backups.
  • White-labeled email hosting.
  • Email encryption.
  • Workplace

    Cost: $3/user/month

    Everything in Mail Premium, plus:

  • Online documents, spreadsheets and presentations.
  • Instant messaging.
  • Online meetings.
  • Our expert opinion

    We recommend Zoho Mail as the best email for businesses on a budget. For less than $5 a month on any plan, you get a professional email address (even on the free plan), sizable attachment limits, plus shared calendars, emails and folders. You also get tasks, notes and team collaboration tools. If you're looking for a low-cost alternative to Google or Microsoft, Zoho Mail is the best answer to your needs.

    Hostinger: Best for all-in-one email and website hosting

    Hostinger logo.Image: Hostinger

    Expert score: 4.65 out of 5

    Pros and cons Pros Cons
  • Low-cost email plus website hosting and building plans from $2.99/month.
  • Up to 100 email inboxes with 1 GB storage each on all plans.
  • All emails come with anti-spam and antivirus.
  • Free domain available.
  • No email encryption or anti-phishing.
  • Only up to 50 GB email storage at most.
  • IONOS and Zoho Mail are cheaper for standalone email hosting.
  • Who it's best for

  • Businesses that want an all-in-one email hosting and website building solution.
  • Entrepreneurs with multiple businesses wanting an affordable multi-domain hosting plan.
  • Businesses that need multiple email inboxes under one domain.
  • Hostinger is one of our best business email hosting providers, but it isn't solely for email hosting. It also has services for website hosting and building, making it our best all-in-one platform for hosting emails and websites. You can get both for as low as $2.99 a month on a two-year contract.

    Interface of Hostinger's email app.Hostinger has a clean, simple business email interface. Image: Hostinger

    You can also get business email as a standalone for just $0.99 or $2.99 a month; however, these only get you 10 GB and 50 GB email storage, respectively. We recommend getting its all-around plans instead, which start at $2.99 monthly and let you create up to 100 email addresses and 100 websites on custom domains. Your emails also come with up to 50 email aliases and anti-spam and antivirus measures.

    However, unlike other dedicated email hosts, Hostinger doesn't have email encryption or anti-phishing measures, so it's not the best in terms of security. If you want more security for your emails, go for a platform like Proton Mail or Google Workspace. Also, Hostinger only has up to 50 GB email storage at most, which is significantly lower than most others. However, for the value you get, it has one of the most cost-effective email plus website plans.

    Hostinger pricing

    Hostinger has some of the most cost-effective plans for email and website hosting, considering the value you get when you pair the two capabilities.

    Premium (Website + Email)

    Cost: $2.99/month on a two-year contract

    What's included:

  • Up to 100 email inboxes with 1 GB storage each.
  • Email anti-spam and antivirus.
  • Up to 100 websites with basic ecommerce for 10 products and SSL security.
  • Free domain.
  • Weekly backups.
  • 100 GB storage.
  • Business (Website + Email)

    Cost: $3.99/month on a two-year contract

    Everything in the Premium plan, plus:

  • 200 GB storage.
  • Content delivery network (for better website performance).
  • Up to 100 products on your ecommerce store.
  • Business Starter (Standalone Email)

    Cost: $0.99/month/mailbox on a two-year contract

    What's included:

  • 10 GB storage.
  • Up to 10 forwarding rules.
  • Up to 50 email aliases.
  • Antivirus and anti-spam.
  • Business Premium (Standalone Email)

    Cost: $2.99/month/mailbox on a two-year contract

    Everything in Business Starter, plus:

  • 50 GB storage.
  • Up to 50 forwarding rules.
  • Our expert opinion

    If you need both an email and website host and want an all-in-one solution, Hostinger is your best bet. Your business email has all the essentials you need. And you can even build your website easily on the platform using its AI site builder and dozens of professional templates. Overall, if more value out of your dollar is what you're after, Hostinger is one of the best low-cost, high-value business email providers.

    Bluehost: Best for multiple email aliases

    Bluehost logo.Image: Bluehost

    Expert score: 4.47 out of 5

    Pros and cons Pros Cons
  • Multiple email aliases (up to 25 and 50 per account).
  • Shared calendars, contacts and tasks.
  • Less expensive than others comparatively ($14.99 a year).
  • Email anti-phishing, antivirus and spam filters.
  • No multi-user plans.
  • No free domain.
  • No collaborative documents.
  • No monthly pricing and costs increase after first year.
  • Who it's best for

  • Anyone who needs multiple email aliases.
  • Small teams that manage multiple departments and email accounts.
  • Sales or customer service teams that use shared calendars for appointment booking.
  • One of the best benefits of business email providers is the ability to have multiple email aliases leading to one shared inbox. For example, you can have support@yourbusiness.Com and customerservice@yourbusiness.Com all leading to the same inbox managed by the same team. The best business email service for this is Bluehost, as it allows up to 25 email aliases on the starting plan and up to 50 on the higher plan.

    Home page of Bluehost's website.Bluehost lets you have multiple email aliases managed in one inbox.

    Along with email aliases, Bluehost also offers sizable storage (25 GB and 80 GB), along with documents and shared calendars, contacts and tasks, so it's a worthy alternative to Google Workspace (albeit not as beginner-friendly). It also has spam filters and antivirus to protect your mails' security. However, the drawback is there are no multi-user plans, so costs can run up quickly if you have multiple team members.

    Professional Email

    Cost: $14.99/year

    What's included:

  • 25 GB storage.
  • 25 email aliases.
  • Mail filters.
  • Spam filter, antivirus and anti-phishing.
  • Shared calendar, tasks and contacts.
  • Documents, spreadsheets and presentations.
  • Email recall, forwarding and signing.
  • Professional Email Plus

    Cost: $24.99/year

    Everything in the Professional Email plan, plus:

  • 80 GB storage.
  • 50 email aliases.
  • One-click email and file encryption.
  • Our expert opinion

    Bluehost has long been one of the most reliable hosting services, whether for websites or emails. Its email productivity features are comparable to those of Google Workspace, making it one of the best business email providers overall, especially if multiple email aliases are important to your business. The slightly higher price tag can be well worth its many features.

    ScalaHosting: Best for daily email backups

    ScalaHosting logo.Image: ScalaHosting

    Expert score: 4.42 out of 5

    Pros and cons Pros Cons
  • All plans have daily email backups.
  • Large 50 GB to 150 GB storage plans.
  • Domain blacklist monitoring.
  • Highest plan gets you unlimited email accounts for $14.95/month.
  • Cheapest pricing requires a 3-year contract.
  • IONOS and Hostinger are cheaper for standalone email hosting.
  • No email aliases or anti-phishing.
  • No free domain.
  • Who it's best for

  • Businesses that handle lots of important or sensitive data, like receipts, and need secure copies.
  • Any business wanting automatic daily backups to protect data.
  • Companies wanting a high level of security and spam email protection.
  • If having secure copies of your emails is important to your business, you'll benefit most from an email host that provides daily backups of your emails. One of the best small business email providers for this is ScalaHosting. It's the only one on this list that provides daily email backups—even up to seven daily—and you can restore them anytime from the CPanel. This makes it a good choice if you handle sensitive or important information via email.

    Interface of Scala Hosting's email app.ScalaHosting provides up to seven daily backups of your emails. Image: ScalaHosting

    On the starting plan, you can create up to 10 email accounts under one domain, which automatically comes with seven daily backups to a remote server. However, the starting cost for this plan is $6.95 per month on a one-year contract or $4.95 on a three-year contract. Unfortunately, ScalaHosting only offers month-to-month contracts on its highest plan.

    The highest tier also has the most advanced security features, including real-time malware protection and user controls. This tier also allows for custom branding and white labeling, which is great for resellers. It also includes blacklist monitoring, which is ideal for teams that rely on cold sales emailing for lead generation.

    ScalaHosting pricing

    ScalaHosting's offers standalone business email services. But all its web hosting plans come with unlimited business emails and free SSL for data encryption (for domains hosted on its servers).

    StartUp

    Cost: $6.95/month; $4.95/month for a three-year contract

    What's included: 

  • Up to 10 email inboxes with 50 GB storage each.
  • One email domain.
  • Daily offsite backups.
  • Web-based email access.
  • Add to your preferred email app (POP3ⓘ/IMAPⓘ/SMTPⓘ).
  • Advanced spam protection.
  • Standard security and deliverability.
  • SmallBiz

    Cost: $9.95/month; $6.95/month for a three-year contract

    Get everything in StartUp, plus: 

  • Up to 50 email accounts, each with 100 GB storage.
  • 5 email domains.
  • Medium

    Cost: $14.95/month; $9.95/month for a three-year contract

    Get everything in StartUp, plus: 

  • Up to 100 email accounts, each with 150 GB storage.
  • 10 email domains.
  • Cloud 

    Cost: $34.95/month; $19.95/month for a one-year contract; $14.95/month for a three-year contract

    What's included:

  • Unlimited email inboxes, each with 50 GB of fast SSD storage (upgradable).
  • Unlimited email domains.
  • One free domain name.
  • 100% inbox deliverability.
  • High security (dedicated, isolated cloud hosting environment).
  • Shield real-time malware protection.
  • Dedicated IP.
  • Priority support.
  • Blacklist monitoring.
  • OpenLiteSpeed caching.
  • Sub-users and collaborators.
  • Branding and white label.
  • Our expert opinion

    ScalaHosting may not be the cheapest email host, but it's the best email provider for businesses that want or need secure backups of their emails (e.G., businesses that regularly exchange sensitive or relevant information via email that needs to be recorded). Plus, all its plans come with security and advanced anti-spam, so if security is a top priority, it's also a good candidate.

    IceWarp: Best for AI-powered business email

    IceWarp logo.Image: IceWarp

    Expert score: 4.37 out of 5

    Pros and cons Pros Cons
  • Built-in AI assistant that can compose and summarize emails, organize appointments, and more.
  • Up to 200 GB email storage and 1 TB cloud storage per user.
  • Up to 1,000-participant video conferences with unlimited recording.
  • Real-time team collaboration on emails and documents.
  • No email encryption or anti-phishing.
  • No single-user plans.
  • No free domains.
  • Who it's best for

  • Small business owners that need an AI assistant to help with their emails.
  • Large teams that need lots of video conferencing and recording.
  • Any business that needs email collaboration with an AI assistant.
  • If you've been online for the past few years, you may be well aware of the atmospheric growth of AI tools and how they can help businesses. That also goes for your business email. One of the best email providers for businesses at the forefront of this is IceWarp. It incorporates AI into nearly every aspect of your business email, from helping compose your messages to organizing tasks, at no additional cost.

    Sample interface of IceWarp's email app.IceWarp has a built-in AI assistant that can help write and summarize your emails, organize tasks and more. Image: IceWarp

    In particular, its AI tools are

    However, because no AI tool is perfect, IceWarp's best feature could also be its biggest drawback. AI tools — including ChatGPT — are a constant work in progress and may not always provide the best results, especially if you're unsure how to use them. Another disadvantage is it has no daily backups. And its security is limited to anti-spam and antivirus, so it's not the best if security is a top priority for your business.

    IceWarp pricing

    Startup 

    Cost: $35/month for 10 users

    What's included:

  • Custom domain with 200 GB storage per mailbox.
  • 1 TB cloud storage per user.
  • Video conferencing for up to 1,000 participants and unlimited recording.
  • ChatGPT-powered AI email assistant.
  • Instant messaging with teams.
  • Collaborative documents, spreadsheets and presentations.
  • Calendars and notes.
  • Email anti-spam and antivirus.
  • Business

    Cost: $2.30/user/month for up to 500 users

    Get everything in Startup, plus:

  • Desktop suite for your email and apps.
  • Our expert opinion

    IceWarp may not be as well-known as other email providers, but it has noteworthy features to offer, including high storage limits, substantial video conferencing and all the essentials, at affordable pricing. Most of all, it's the best email service for small businesses that want to explore AI or just want an AI assistant to help with email tasks. You'll also get collaborative documents, calendars, and anti-spam and antivirus.

    IONOS: Best for email hosting with a free domain

    IONOS logo.Image: IONOS

    Expert score: 4.36 out of 5

    Pros and cons Pros Cons
  • Get a business email with free domain from $1/month.
  • Advanced security and anti-spam.
  • Intuitive, full-featured webmail app.
  • Multi-user plans available.
  • Fast, responsive customer support.
  • High attachment size limit.
  • Low storage on the base plan (2 GB).
  • No dedicated mobile app, unlike Gmail and Bluehost.
  • No productivity or collaboration tools.
  • Who it's best for

  • Anyone wanting to get an email host free email domain.
  • Entrepreneurs, freelancers and small businesses on a budget needing cheap email hosting.
  • Startups looking to build brand presence with affordable bundled solutions with email, web hosting, a domain and SSL.
  • IONOS is one of Europe's leading web hosting companies and domain registrars, and it's especially helpful for getting business email with a free domain at low costs — starting at just $1 a month. Your domain can include extensions like .Com, .Us, .Online and .Net. Your plan also gets you 2 GB mailbox storage (approximately 10,000 emails). If you need more storage, you can upgrade anytime.

    Interface of IONOS's email app.IONOS offers a simple webmail interface with a free email domain. Image: IONOS

    Another thing we like about IONOS is it's long been well-regarded for its security measures. On any plan, you get antivirus and anti-spam measures. And on the highest plan, at just $5 a month, you get premium protection. In addition to its security, IONOS also has round-the-clock support. After submitting a ticket, a customer service rep will contact you directly to help troubleshoot any issue.

    The biggest drawback with IONOS is it doesn't offer any team collaboration or content creation tools like shared documents or spreadsheets, unlike Google Workspace or Zoho Mail. It's solely a business email provider with a free domain, so it's only best if email is what you're solely after.

    IONOS pricing

    IONOS offers individual and multi-user plans for up to five or 10 users. Or add email to any of its website builder, domain registration or web hosting plans.

    Basic 1

    Cost: $1/month

    What's included: 

  • 2 GB storage (add mailboxes and extra storage at any time).
  • Free domain and SSL.
  • Ad-free email.
  • Spam filter.
  • Webmail with calendar, tasks and more.
  • Cross-device syncing.
  • 24/7 support.
  • Basic 1+

    Cost: $4 per month

    Everything in the Basic plan, plus:

  • 12 GB storage (expandable).
  • Business 

    Cost: $5/month for one user; $15/month for 2-5 users; $25/month for 6-10 users

    Everything Basic one and 1+ users get, plus: 

  • 50 GB storage per user.
  • Premium virus protection and spam filter.
  • Team collaboration tools (shared calendar, contacts and tasks).
  • Our expert opinion

    Although IONOS's email hosting plans lack tools like video conferencing, at $1 or $5 per month, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better (or cheaper) business email provider with a free domain. If you're looking for a solid, secure and reliable host to set up your business emails on and don't need extra content or productivity tools, IONOS is one of your best options.

    Proton Mail: Best for advanced email security

    Proton Mail logo.Image: Proton Mail

    Expert score: 4.16 out of 5

    Pros and cons Pros Cons
  • Highly secure, end-to-end encrypted business email on all plans.
  • Free plan available with 1 GB storage and advanced security.
  • Fully HIPAA & GDPR compliant.
  • Ability to password-protect emails.
  • No free domain.
  • Subject lines aren't encrypted.
  • No productivity tools.
  • Higher tier plans are needed for global VPN and streaming and email aliases.
  • Who it's best for

  • Businesses handling highly confidential or sensitive contracts and information via email (like law or healthcare firms).
  • Organizations needing HIPAA-compliant email hosting with end-to-end data encryption.
  • Companies doing business overseas that need to comply with GDPR rules.
  • Entrepreneurs who want to use anonymous email aliases to protect their identity and prevent spam and phishing.
  • If your email's security is your number one concern, Proton Mail is the world leader in email security and privacy. All plans, including the free version, include end-to-end encryption, making it ideal for any business that's handling sensitive information via email or wants advanced security. It can be especially well-suited for healthcare providers, legal firms or similar organizations that regularly handle highly confidential or sensitive data.

    Interface of Proton Mail's email.Proton Mail has end-to-end email encryption, even on the free plan. Image: Proton Mail

    In addition, Proton Mail security complies with GDPR agreements. Keep in mind that to ensure compliance, you'll still need to get a signed agreement to fully protect your organization. It also has substantial storage, especially on the highest Proton Family plan, which offers up to 1 TB of storage and up to six users. Proton Mail even has its own calendar, VPN and cloud storage (like Google Drive).

    The negative side of Proton Mail is none of its plans offer a free domain, which means you'll need to have your own domain first or purchase one separately from a domain registrar. It also doesn't have the same kind of productivity tools Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 offers. However, for the value you get, it's one of the best email providers for small businesses.

    Proton Mail pricing

    Proton Mail includes individual business email accounts perfect for freelancers and entrepreneurs and easy-to-manage business plans billed on a per-user basis.

    Free 

    Cost: $0 (forever)

    What's included:

  • Email hosted on a Proton Mail subdomain.
  • 1 GB storage.
  • 150 emails a day.
  • One calendar.
  • Auto-device syncing.
  • Encrypted file sharing.
  • One medium-speed VPN connection.
  • Mail Plus

    Cost: $3.99/month (billed annually); $3.49 with a two-year contract; $4.99/month (billed monthly)

    What's included: 

  • Email hosted on a domain you own.
  • 15 GB storage.
  • 10 email addresses.
  • Unlimited messages.
  • 25 MB attachments.
  • 20 shareable calendars.
  • Auto-device syncing.
  • Encrypted file sharing.
  • One medium-speed VPN connection.
  • Proton Unlimited

    Cost: $9.99/month (billed annually); $7.99 on a two-year contract; $12.99/month (billed monthly)

    Everything in the Mail Essentials plan, plus:

  • Support for 10 email domains.
  • 15 email addresses and 500GB storage/user.
  • Unlimited "Hide My Emails" aliases.
  • 10 high-speed VPN connections/user.
  • NetShield malware and ad-blocker.
  • Secure core servers.
  • VPN for up to 10 devices.
  • Digital encrypted vault (Proton Pass).
  • Online calendar and storage.
  • P2P/BitTorrent.
  • Worldwide streaming services & highest VPN speed.
  • Proton Family

    Cost: $23.99/month (billed annually); $19.99/month on a two-year contract; $29.99/month (billed monthly)

    Everything in the Proton Unlimited plan, plus:

  • Up to six users.
  • 3 TB storage.
  • 90 email addresses.
  • Three custom email domains.
  • VPN for 60 devices.
  • Our expert opinion

    If your organization needs the most private, secure business email provider on the market, Proton Mail's business plans are hard to beat. As one of the few providers that can ensure both HIPAA and GDPR-compliant business email services, it is ideal for businesses that value security or have customers in EU member countries. There's also a free plan to get started, making it one of the most cost-effective platforms overall.

    InMotion Hosting: Best for guaranteed uptime on your emails

    InMotion Hosting logo.Image: InMotion Hosting

    Expert score: 4.12 out of 5

    Pros and cons Pros Cons
  • 99.99% uptime guarantee.
  • Zero-downtime transfers and migrations.
  • All plans can host email and websites and have a free domain.
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