The Zoho Mail phenomenon: Is it the smarter choice over Gmail?

Chennai: A growing number of internet users are reportedly switching from Gmail to Zoho Mail, sparking widespread comparisons between the two platforms on social media. According to multiple reports, Zoho Mail, the email service developed by Tamil Nadu-based Zoho Corporation, has recently seen a surge in new users, including ministers and senior government officials.

With all the buzz surrounding Zoho Mail, here’s how it stacks up against popular alternatives such as Gmail and Microsoft Outlook.

Functionality and AI tools

Zoho Mail offers a comprehensive range of features, some of which are standard across most email services, while others set it apart from competitors like Gmail and Outlook. Notably, Zoho Mail allows a maximum file attachment size of 1 GB per file, compared to Google Workspace’s 25 MB limit. Files exceeding Gmail’s size limit are automatically converted into links.

Zoho Mail also allows users to recall sent emails even after the sending window has expired, unlike Gmail, where users have only a few seconds to undo a sent message. However, the recipient is notified that the message has been recalled.

The platform comes bundled with productivity tools such as Calendar, Tasks, Notes, Contacts, and Bookmarks, as well as Zoho Streams, a built-in collaboration tool similar to Slack that lets users post updates, tag colleagues, and assign tasks.

Zoho Mail employs AI-powered filters to automatically sort incoming messages into categories such as Notifications and Newsletters. It also integrates Zia, Zoho’s AI assistant powered by OpenAI, to help users manage their inboxes more efficiently. Zia can draft emails from short prompts, suggest suitable subjects, and even tailor the tone of the message based on the recipient.

Meanwhile, Gmail has also rolled out AI-based tools, including email summaries and enhanced smart replies that draw context from a user’s inbox and Google Drive to generate more natural and relevant responses.

Cybersecurity and privacy

Zoho Mail includes advanced threat protection to safeguard users from phishing, spoofing, brand forgery, and other cyber threats. All emails are encrypted both in transit and at rest, and the service supports S/MIME encryption, allowing users to create digital signatures for added security. If a recipient’s email provider doesn’t support TLS encryption, Zoho Mail marks the message as “Plain” to notify users.

Under its Forever Free plan, Zoho Mail offers email hosting for one domain, supporting up to five users with 5 GB of storage per user. Paid plans, which include features like AI assistant Zia, Identity Management & MFA App, eWidget, and Developer Space, start at ₹59 per user per month, billed annually.

By comparison, Google’s Gmail for Workspace starts at ₹160 per month, offering access to Google’s Gemini AI assistant, Google Vids, and other premium tools.

As users continue to debate the pros and cons of each platform, Zoho Mail’s mix of AI innovation, robust privacy measures, and India-based hosting has made it an increasingly popular alternative to global giants like Gmail and Outlook.