6 Legit Ways to Get a Free Business Email Address
Kelly is a former Google Tech Entrepreneur and Apple Developer who has counseled businesses of all sizes and growth stages. You can find her expertise across Fit Small Business in marketing, business website, and business trend content.
No matter what type of business you’re running, you need to get a business email address. And if you’re like many small businesses and startups, you need it as cheap as possible. So to help, we’ve rounded up six legit ways to get a free business email address—whether that’s completely free without any catch, or free through a plan you’re already using or will soon be using.
For a truly professional email address, you need to use your own custom domain name (e.g., [email protected]). If you’re just starting out, the best value is to get a free domain name and free business email through a web hosting plan, such as Bluehost for as little as $2.95 per month. If you’re planning to build a site with WordPress, you’ll need hosting anyway, so it’s worth getting these extras for free.
Best Ways to Get Free Business Email at a Glance
Provider | Best For | |
|---|---|---|
 | Best value for those who need a domain and free business email | |
 | Up to five free business email addresses for those who already have a domain name | |
 | Those who already own a domain name and have some technical expertise, but don’t need a productivity suite | |
 | Best bare-bones free business email | |
 | Best for those who need a productivity and collaboration suite that comes with free business email | |
 | New businesses looking to grow online with business email and a website |
To learn more about the benefits of each provider and how to get your free business email, select which option you’re interested in from the drop-down menu below:
1. Bluehost
Best for: New businesses that need a business email and a domain name at the best value
Bluehost
What We Like
- Free email with all web hosting plans
- Connect to your own domain (e.g., [email protected])
- Plans include a domain name
- Use your custom business email address through the Gmail interface
- Get unlimited free business email addresses for $5.45 per month with the Plus plan
What's Missing
- Requires an annual commitment
- Doesn’t include productivity tools
- Not the easiest option
Who It’s Right For
- Businesses that want to use their own custom domain, but have yet to get one
- Those that are in the early stages of creating a business and also need a website
- Businesses that need a large volume of business email addresses
Bluehost is a top web hosting provider that includes free business email with its web hosting plans. It’s best for those who plan to build a website with WordPress and need a domain name (e.g., yourbusiness.com) and web hosting, as web hosting is required in order for a WordPress site to be live on the web. For as little as $2.95 per month, businesses get a free domain name and web hosting plus five free business email addresses.
Pro tip: Want all these benefits without the commitment? Choose a month-to-month web hosting plan with DreamHost instead.
How to Get a Free Business Email Address With Bluehost
It’s easy to get a free business email address through Bluehost, which you can connect to Gmail. To do this, go to Bluehost.com and select a web hosting plan. During the checkout process, you will be prompted to choose a domain name. Complete your purchase and navigate to the Email Manager from your Bluehost user dashboard. There you can create your business email address. Lastly, if you’d like, you can connect your Bluehost email to Gmail.
Here’s how to get a free business email address through Bluehost:
- Go to Bluehost and purchase a web hosting plan.
- Choose a domain name.
- Navigate to the Email Manager and create a business email address.
- Connect your Bluehost email address to Gmail.
Want to learn more about how you can get a business email through a Bluehost plan? Get the detailed step-by-step instructions on how to create a custom email address using Bluehost.
2. Zoho Mail
Best for: Getting up to five free business email addresses that use your own domain
Zoho Mail
What We Like
- Up to 5 free business email addresses that use your own domain name
- User-friendly interface
- Built-in email marketing tools
What's Missing
- You need to purchase your domain name separately
- Very limited storage
- The free version doesn't support IMAP/POP
Who It’s Right For
- Those who want a professional business email address for free
- Ideal for those who also want an affordable email marketing platform
Zoho is a leading customer relationship management (CRM) software that provides up to five free business email accounts. What’s unique about free business email through Zoho is that it comes with built-in email marketing tools, enabling you to create and send email marketing campaigns to your contact lists. It does not include a domain name, so businesses must first purchase a domain separately.
Not sure where to get a domain name from? Check out the overall best domain name registrars.
How to Get a Free Business Email Address With Zoho
To get a free business email address through Zoho, you’ll first need to purchase your own domain name (e.g., www.yourbusiness.com). You can get one from a domain name registrar, such as GoDaddy or Google Domains. After purchasing a domain name, go to Zoho.com/mail/ and create a mail account. To do this, you’ll need to verify your domain name, update MX records with your domain name provider, and finally create your business email address.
Here’s how to get a free business email address through Zoho:
- Register your domain name, if you haven’t already.
- Go to Zoho.com/mail/ and click on “Pricing” from the top menu.
- Scroll down to find the “Free Forever” plan and click “Sign Up Now.”
- Follow the prompts to create your free business email account.
For more information, visit our guide to getting business email with Zoho.
3. Gmail
Best for: Those who have a domain name and a bit of technical aptitude
Gmail
What We Like
- Completely free business email
- Access your email through Gmail
- Built-in productivity and collaboration tools
What's Missing
- The process to manually get your domain can be a pain
- Not a good option for businesses that need business email for staff
Who It’s Right For
- Businesses that own a domain and have the technical ability to manually connect their domain to Gmail
- Those who don’t prefer to use a custom email domain and just want a high-quality business email for free
Want to access your business email through the Gmail interface you know and love? If so, you can manually connect your domain name to Gmail so that you can use your business email address through the Gmail interface. While this is a completely free business email address option, it’s not the easiest to configure. So it’s best for those who have some technical expertise or the patience to learn.
How to Get Free Business Email Addresses With Gmail
Setting up a free business email address with Gmail isn’t the easiest thing to do. However, with a bit of patience, you can connect your domain name to Gmail. To start, you’ll need a domain name through a web hosting provider that allows email forwarding, as well as a personal Gmail account. Then, set up email forwarding from your web hosting account (cPanel) and navigate to Gmail, where you will connect your domain by adding another email address under Settings.
Here’s how to create a free business email address with your own domain through Gmail:
- Create a Gmail account.
- Get a domain name through a web hosting plan that offers mail forwarding.
- Set up mail forwarding from your web hosting account.
- Update settings in Gmail to “Add another email address.” Go to Gmail > Settings > Accounts > Add another email address > Treat as an alias > Update credentials (e.g., STMP server).
Debating between Gmail and Outlook? Get the full comparison to help you determine the right free business email service for you by checking out our article on Gmail vs Outlook.
4. Outlook
Best for: Professional-looking email without using your own domain name
Outlook
What We Like
- Professional-looking free business email (e.g., [email protected])
- Totally free, no catch
- Two-step login for added security
- Includes some intuitive features such as auto-generating your email signature using your LinkedIn profile
What's Missing
- If you want to connect your own domain, you’ll need to get the Microsoft 365 Business Basic plan for $5 per month
- Displays right-column ads in your inbox
Who It’s Right For
- Businesses that do not rely heavily on email but need a business email address for account logins
If you really don’t use business email all that often, and aren’t interested in connecting your own custom domain to your email (e.g., [email protected]), go with Outlook. It’s one of the most professional-looking email service providers for business. Unlike other free email providers, such as Hotmail or Yandex, Outlook appears the most credible and professional as well as being one of the most reliable free business email services on the market.
How to Get a Free Business Email Address With Outlook
Setting up a free business email address with Outlook is very simple. All you need to do is go to Outlook.live.com and click the “Create Free Account” button in the center of the screen. Then, follow the prompts to register for your new account—from adding your email name and password to providing personal information, such as the country you live in and your phone number.
Here’s how to get a free business email address using Outlook:
- Go to outlook.live.com and click on the “Create Free Account” button.
- Create your email address name (e.g., [email protected]).
- Create a password.
- Input your first and last name.
- Provide your country and birthdate.
- Confirm you’re not a robot.
- You will then be redirected to your new business email inbox.
For more information, check out our complete guide on Microsoft Outlook for Business.
Visit Outlook
5. Google Workspace
Best for: Those who have a domain name and who need productivity and collaboration tools like word processing software and spreadsheets in addition to business email
Google Workspace
What We Like
- Complete productivity suite
- Easy to use
- Advanced admin controls
- Commitment-free, month-to-month plans
What's Missing
- The productivity suite costs $6 per user, per month
- Does not include a free domain
- Expensive for those who need a large volume of email accounts
Who It’s Right For
- Businesses that need a productivity and collaboration suite (similar to Office Suite, but more user-friendly)
- Those who want to use their own domain through the Gmail interface and want top-notch email security
- Businesses managing a large staff, given its advanced admin controls
Google Workspace (formerly known as G Suite) is a complete suite of productivity and collaboration tools, such as a word processor (Google Docs), spreadsheets (Google Sheets), presentations (Google Slides), video conferencing (Google Hangouts), and calendars. In short, Google Workspace is Google’s version of Microsoft Office Suite. However, unlike Microsoft’s office suite, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace costs less than half the price at $6 per month.
If you don’t yet have a domain name, Google Workspace makes it easy to register for one. You can purchase a domain during the account creation process, which will automatically connect to your new business email account, eliminating the headache of manually configuring domains and MX records.
How to Get a Free Business Email Address With Google Workspace
It is very easy to set up a business email address through Google Workspace, though before you purchase a Google Workspace plan, you’ll want to get a domain name (if you don’t already have one). To do that, go to a domain name registrar, such as GoDaddy or Google Domains. Then, go to Google Workspace and purchase a plan, verify your domain name, and set up your business email address.
Here’s how to get a free business email address using Google Workspace:
- Get a domain name.
- Go to Google Workspace and purchase a plan.
- Set up your admin console from the Google Workspace homepage.
- Verify your domain.
- Create your business email address.
Interested in using Google Workspace for your business email? Get the full breakdown, including step-by-step instructions on how to set up a business email, in our guide to Gmail for business.
6. Squarespace
Best for: Those who are serious about growing their business
Squarespace
What We Like
- Business email via Google Workspace is included with the Business plan
- Annual plans include a free domain
- Easy way to build and manage a professional website
What's Missing
- Doesn’t include productivity tools
- Plans that include your website and business email start at $18 per month
- Free email not included in the entry-level Personal Plan
Who It’s Right For
- Businesses that want an easy way of getting a website and business email
- Those that plan to foster leads generated through their site via email marketing
- New ventures that want extra assistance with business growth
Squarespace is a top all-in-one site builder, giving businesses a way to easily build a professional website and grow their business with its array of built-in marketing and growth tools. Its Business plan includes a business email address through Google Workspace, making it the best option for those who need a website (without investing a ton of time or money) as well as business email.
What’s nice about getting your business email through your website is that it eliminates the headache of manually connecting your domain to your website and your email service provider. Instead, everything is in one centralized place, making it easy and headache-free.
How to Access Google Workspace Through Squarespace
To start, go to Squarespace and sign up for an account. You’ll be prompted to choose a theme, and then you will be brought to the user-friendly site editor, where you can build your site. To publish your site, you’ll need to update to a paid plan. After doing so, you will be able to access your free Google Workspace account, which includes business email.
Here’s how to get Google Workspace through Squarespace:
- Go to Squarespace and create an account.
- Choose a template and build your site.
- Purchase a business plan.
- Set up your free Gmail for business email address in the user dashboard.
See how easy it is to start building your small business website. And to get your free Google Workspace account, head over to Squarespace.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can I find an available domain name?
Ideally, your domain name will be your business name with the .com domain extension. However, it can be very difficult to find an available domain name as the vast majority of common names are already taken. To help, try adding keywords, prefixes, or suffixes to your business name to find a suitable domain name that is available. Get more information on how to get a free email domain.
Which are the best business email providers?
The right email provider for you depends on your needs and preferences, though the best are reliable, easy to use, include a reasonable amount of storage, are affordable, and are feature-rich. We recommend Bluehost for those who need web hosting and Google Workspace for those who already have a website and just need comprehensive business email. Learn more about these providers and more in our article on the best business email hosting providers.
Which is better: Google Workspace or Microsoft 365?
Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 are both leading productivity suites that include everything from word processors and cloud storage to business email hosting. They are very similar in terms of pricing and tools. However, Google Workspace tends to be better for those who prefer modern, user-friendly platforms, whereas Microsoft 365 is more popular among those familiar with it and want to stick with what they know. Get the full breakdown of Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365.
Bottom Line
Business email can quickly add up for those who need multiple email addresses, given that there’s no legit way to get a number of free business email addresses. The best way to get a high volume of email addresses is through a web hosting provider, such as Bluehost, which includes unlimited free business email addresses, a free domain name, and web hosting for your WordPress site for as little as $2.95 per month.
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