5 Reasons to Ditch Gmail & 5 Keys to Picking a Replacement

When I started to degoogle, the thing I dreaded most was leaving Gmail. I was used to its slick features, unbeatable pricing (free) and had developed my own systems within it and the surrounding ecosystem.

Now that I have been out of that ecosystem for the better part of a year, I can honestly say I don’t miss it…much. There are a few things I miss, but those are far outweighed by the satisfaction of no longer having my life and data intricately connected to Google and Big Tech.

So before looking at how to choose the ideal replacement, it’s worth remembering what you’re leaving behind.

5 Reasons to Bid Adieu to Gmail

1. Google has repeatedly broken trust

In my case, the first cracks started to show with Snowden’s revelations about Google’s cooperation with the NSA. Then it was the creepily specific ads that started showing up in Gmail(and other places). From there is was the steady stream of negative news: Cooperating with oppressive regimes, using seemingly every opportunity to mine user data and its steady rise to an unstoppable behemoth. At some point, it became clear: Google is not the company I want handling my email/data.

2. Sacrificing privacy for “smart features”

One reason I found it initially difficult to move away from Google was its convenience. Google is always adding new, smart features that seem almost magical when you first use them. But there is an unspoken “catch” with all of these features – they need unfettered access to your data to function. This “transaction” is rarely made explicit. Instead, they just introduce the feature and let default settings, unreadable privacy policies and FOMO work their magic. But once you see what is going on, you can’t unsee it.

3. Gmail -> Google -> Internet

Of course, I am not alone in this struggle to break free from Google’s gravity. Gmail boasts 1.8 billion monthly active users – meaning one out of every four human beings on this planet logs into Gmail at least once a month. And why wouldn’t they? Google gives you so much – for “free”! YouTube, Drive, Docs, Meet, Photos… You feel like the whole world wide web is at your fingertips! And even when you surf somewhere not Google-owned, you often can sign in to that site using the “sign in with Google” button.

As a result, leaving Gmail doesn’t just feel like leaving an email platform, it feels like turning off half of the internet. That’s a problem that needs fixing.

4. Google & the USA have lost their way

I grew up in America and was initially fascinated with Google’s rise. It seemed to typify the American Dream. But without wanting to turn this into a political commentary, what once seemed so bright, shiny and hopeful has gone completely off the rails. Big Tech and politics have become increasingly intertwined in ways I can’t condone. In the last years of my using Google and Co., a cloud hung over every digital move I made. It all felt tainted. Leaving Google and Co. behind has made tech interesting again. Instead of passively contributing to the decline, I actively support people and companies doing things the right way (or at least a significantly better way).

5. The data-driven, attention economy sucks

When used properly, data analytics and so-called “Big Data” can be immensely useful and a force for good in the world. But this current environment, where every app seems to be designed to try and suck as much personal data out of its users as possible and keep them glued to their screens for as long as possible is not the digital environment I want to inhabit. The model is broken. “Free” shouldn’t mean signing your life’s data away and removing any shred of privacy.

And thankfully – it doesn’t have to. You can leave this system behind. That’s what this site is all about.

What Actually Matters When Choosing a Provider

So if you weren’t ready to leave Gmail and degoogle before, I hope you are now. But that leads to the question – who should I trust to handle my email? Who is doing it the right way? And what is “the right way” anyway?

The answer to that is at least partially subjective, but here are five questions that will help you narrow down the possibilities as you look for a Gmail replacement.

1. What is the business model?

How does the provider make money and how does it handle my data?

This is the single most important question to ask. Google primarily makes money by monetizing your data. Privacy-focused providers make money by charging you directly for a service. They stake their reputation on being able to back up their privacy claims.

The business models couldn’t be more different.

Google’s advertising business generated over $260 billion USD in 2024. Privacy-centric email providers earn revenue by offering private communication – not by profiling users or selling ads.

That means you should look for:

• Clear, transparent pricing
• No advertising
• A clear commitment to handling your data in a privacy-oriented manner
• A lengthy track record of success or meaningful third-party audits that back up the privacy claims

If a provider fails at any of these points, that is a huge red flag. This should be the bare minimum.

2. Where is the provider located and what data protection policies apply?

Where a provider is based matters because the laws regulating data privacy and government access can vary greatly.

Swiss providers benefit from strong Swiss privacy laws. EU-based providers operate under similarly strict EU data-protection regulations.

Ideally, you want alignment between incentives and law: a company that wants to protect your data, backed by a legal framework that supports that goal.

Additional questions worth asking:

• What information is required to sign up?
• Do they publish transparency reports?
• What’s their track record with government data requests?

By choosing a provider in the EU/Switzerland, you have the added benefit of helping even out the playing field – subtracting one user from American tech dominance and encouraging real competition.

3. What does the migration process look like?

The first two questions focus on the provider as a company. These next three are about the experience of using the service. You’re not going to pay for privacy-centric email for very long if you can’t stand using it. Usability isn’t a luxury – it’s essential.

Getting all your emails moved over is the first hurdle – and its nice when the process is as simple and smooth as possible.

Consider:

• Are tools and instructions available?
• Are free tiers or trial periods available?
  • It’s good to be able to test out the interface and see if you can intuitively find your way around
• Are all your devices/OSes supported?

Many providers offer free trials or limited free tiers. Use them. A few days of hands-on experience usually is worth more than detailed feature lists and reviews.

4. Does the provider offer the features I need?

Privacy-focused providers share a mission, but their feature sets can differ significantly. Some try to re-create Google’s ecosystem in a privacy-oriented way, while others concentrate on primarily on email. Each comes with their own strengths and weaknesses – and the key is finding the one that most closely aligns with your needs and wishes.

Areas to consider:

• Storage limits
• Email aliases
• Custom domains
• Calendar and contact integration
• Bundled services (cloud storage, VPNs, video conferencing, etc.)
• Price

When you know which features matter most to you, you’re well on your way to identifying your ideal provider.

5. What are my encryption priorities?

This section is the toughest one to talk about for a couple reasons:

• Every provider hypes their encryption – it feels important
• Hardly anyone understands encryption – it feels complicated

My treatment of the topic here will be very compact. I highly recommend reading my article on email encryption in order to fully understand what is being discussed here and why.

In terms of choosing a provider, there are three basic questions you can ask yourself, which will help determine your encryption needs:

1. How much are you willing to trust your provider? Do you mind if they hold the keys to unlock your emails?
2. Do you rely on IMAP (e.g. using an email client like Thunderbird) or use the search function heavily?
3. ==Do you want every email to be encrypted or just occasional, specific emails?
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These questions help to narrow down where you fall on the privacy / convenience spectrum.

Different Needs, Different Choices

Some providers prioritize maximum privacy. Others aim for a balance between privacy and convenience. Neither approach is “wrong.”

A journalist protecting sources may need a strict model. A small business owner may value greater flexibility and IMAP support. The right choice depends on your needs.

But here’s the good news: In terms of improving your privacy, you really can’t get this wrong. Any reputable privacy-focused provider is vastly better than Gmail!

A Simple Decision Framework

Here are the five questions again for quick reference: Questions about the provider as a company:

1. What is the business model?
2. Where is it located and what data protections apply? Questions about your preferences:
3. What does migration entail?
4. Does it have what I need (features & ecosystem)?
5. What level of encryption is right for me?

Once you know what to look for, explore the available options and pick the one that best matches your situation.

Conclusion: Permission to Choose

The hardest part of leaving Gmail is deciding to do it at all. But if you are reading this, you know why you are here. It’s time for a change.

My hope is that this site can help you realize that change as smoothly as possible.