Ask HN: Alternatives to GMail?

8 pointsKaeseEs12y ago7 comments

I've gotten fed up with the UI changes that been made to (inflicted on) gmail in the last two years or so; new compose is the last straw. What are some good alternatives? SSL, non-"flat" UI and a good thread/conversation view are my only musts, skins/themes are a nice-to-have.

7 comments

czottmann12y ago

I can recommend https://fastmail.fm/ which has been a really solid experience for me over the last few months. The UI is quite nice—see Mike Masnick's write-up for some screenshots.[^1]

Their servers are located in the US, tho, which might be a cause of concern for some—but that wasn't part of the question. (Personally, I will be probably moving my mails off of FM for that particular reason.)

[^1]: http://www.maxmasnick.com/2013/07/19/fastmail/

workhere-io12y ago

Here's another review of FastMail (shameless plug): http://blog.workhere.io/my-experience-with-fastmail-as-a-gma...

DarkStar85112y ago

I'm fortunate enough to have the resources to run my own email server. I host a few VMs on a dedicated server and had some space left for a Zimbra 8 installation.

I hate to promote pay-for's, but their Open Source Edition is still very flushed out.

If that's any interest to you, I'd be happy to host a few accounts. Canadian servers so standard CIRA and Canadian Privacy Protection Act rules apply.

workhere-io12y ago

Domains at https://gandi.net include IMAP (1 GB). Combine that with Thunderbird or Sparrow and you're good to go. Another option is FastMail.

anxious12y ago

IMAP. Or search for previous Ask HNs, there are dozen on the topic.

czottmann12y ago

> SSL, non-"flat" UI and a good thread/conversation view are my only musts

Your answer "IMAP" doesn't _entirely_ fit here.

workhere-io12y ago

IMAP + Thunderbird fits his requirements, as far as I can see (although I'm not sure what he means by non-"flat" UI).

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

7 comments

czottmann12y ago

I can recommend https://fastmail.fm/ which has been a really solid experience for me over the last few months. The UI is quite nice—see Mike Masnick's write-up for some screenshots.[^1]

[^1]: http://www.maxmasnick.com/2013/07/19/fastmail/

workhere-io12y ago

Here's another review of FastMail (shameless plug): http://blog.workhere.io/my-experience-with-fastmail-as-a-gma...

DarkStar85112y ago

I'm fortunate enough to have the resources to run my own email server. I host a few VMs on a dedicated server and had some space left for a Zimbra 8 installation.

I hate to promote pay-for's, but their Open Source Edition is still very flushed out.

If that's any interest to you, I'd be happy to host a few accounts. Canadian servers so standard CIRA and Canadian Privacy Protection Act rules apply.

workhere-io12y ago

Domains at https://gandi.net include IMAP (1 GB). Combine that with Thunderbird or Sparrow and you're good to go. Another option is FastMail.

anxious12y ago

IMAP. Or search for previous Ask HNs, there are dozen on the topic.

czottmann12y ago

> SSL, non-"flat" UI and a good thread/conversation view are my only musts

Your answer "IMAP" doesn't _entirely_ fit here.

workhere-io12y ago

IMAP + Thunderbird fits his requirements, as far as I can see (although I'm not sure what he means by non-"flat" UI).

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse