What is Gmail used for?

Gmail is Google's email service with search, filters, labels and spam protection, for personal use or as business email in Google Workspace. It is a good fit for running business email on a custom domain, managing a personal inbox, and coordinating schedules and files from email.

Is Gmail open source?

No. Gmail is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to Gmail include Thunderbird for Android, Tuta and Roundcube.

What are some alternatives to Gmail?

Gmail competes with Microsoft Outlook, Proton Mail and Yahoo Mail. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Gmail alternatives.

Gmail: features, pricing and alternatives

About Gmail

Gmail is Google's email service, available for personal accounts and as custom business email within Google Workspace. It offers search, filters, labels and spam protection to help people keep an inbox under control, and Google describes it as private, secure and easy to use.

Inside Workspace, Gmail sits alongside Drive, Meet, Chat, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, Slides and an Admin console, so email connects directly to scheduling, storage and collaboration tools. Google also lists Gemini AI features across the suite, and offers solutions aimed at individuals, small businesses, startups, enterprises, education and nonprofits.

Gmail is a proprietary, hosted Google service. Personal use does not require Workspace, while business use is sold through Workspace plans that are listed on Google's pricing page.

Key features

Email with search, filters and labels
Spam protection
Custom business email through Workspace
Integration with Calendar, Drive and Meet
Admin Console for organizations

Good fit for

→Running business email on a custom domain
→Managing a personal inbox
→Coordinating schedules and files from email

Tags: email; gmail; google-workspace; spam-filter; labels; business-email; saas

Gmail: questions and answers

What is Gmail used for?: Gmail is Google's email service with search, filters, labels and spam protection, for personal use or as business email in Google Workspace. It is a good fit for running business email on a custom domain, managing a personal inbox, and coordinating schedules and files from email.
Is Gmail free?: Yes. Gmail has a free plan.
Is Gmail open source?: No. Gmail is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to Gmail include Thunderbird for Android, Tuta and Roundcube.
What are some alternatives to Gmail?: Gmail competes with Microsoft Outlook, Proton Mail and Yahoo Mail. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Gmail alternatives.