Key highlights
- Understand how professional email hosting builds trust by reinforcing your brand identity with domain-based addresses.
- Learn how to improve team productivity through integrated tools like shared calendars, cloud storage and task management.
- Explore essential features to look for in email hosting, including security, uptime, scalability and tool integrations.
- Uncover the pros and cons of top email hosting providers like Bluehost, Google Workspace, ProtonMail, Zoho and Microsoft 365.
- Know how Bluehost simplifies email setup and security through built-in spam filters, SSL and seamless WordPress integration.
Introduction
You are shopping online for a handcrafted dining table and come across two custom furniture brands. One sends you a quote from [email protected]. The other replies from hello@[oakandelm].com with a polished signature, company logo and portfolio link.
Even if the prices are the same, which one feels more trustworthy?
A small detail, a professional email address, can make a world of a difference in how the audience perceives your brand. That is why you need a professional email hosting service.
The best email hosting for small business doesn’t just give you an inbox; it offers professional credibility, greater control over your brand and better data security. It helps you stay connected across devices and build trust with every message you send.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top email hosting providers for small businesses in 2025. We will also understand why small businesses need email hosting services, what features they should look for and how to choose the right email hosting provider.
First up, let us start with why your business needs an email hosting service.
Comparing email services of top email hosting service providers
The table below compares top email hosting services—ProtonMail, Zoho Mail, Bluehost Professional Email, Microsoft 365 and Bluehost Google Workspace. The comparison is based on key parameters like use case, storage, pricing and standout features to help you make an informed decision.
| Provider | Best for | Storage | Starting price | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluehost Professional Email | Small businesses seeking integrated hosting | 25 GB per mailbox | $1.67 user/month | Seamless integration with Bluehost web hosting services |
| Bluehost Google Workspace | Businesses seeking Google’s productivity suite with Bluehost integration | 30 GB per user (Business Starter Plan) | $3.50/user/month | Access to Google’s suite of apps with Bluehost’s hosting integration |
| Zoho Mail | Budget-conscious startups and SMBs | 10 GB per user (Mail Lite Plan) | $1/user/month (billed annually) | Integrated productivity suite with calendar, tasks and notes |
| Microsoft 365 | Businesses needing comprehensive collaboration tools | 50 GB per user (Exchange Online) | $9.99/user/month | Robust integration with Office apps and 1 TB OneDrive storage |
| ProtonMail | Privacy-focused individuals and small businesses | 15 GB per user | $3.99 per month | End-to-end encryption with zero-access architecture |
What are 5 of the best business email hosting services for 2025?
In 2025, small businesses will have access to a range of powerful and scalable email hosting providers, each offering unique features.
Below, we highlight five of the best email hosting services to consider:
- Bluehost Professional Email
- Bluehost Google Workspace
- Zoho mail
- Microsoft 365
- ProtonMail for privacy
Whether you’re looking for robust security features, seamless collaboration tools or simple integration with your own domain name, these email hosting providers for small businesses cater to all your business communication needs. Let us look at them in detail.
1. Bluehost Professional Email
If you are looking to upgrade from a generic Gmail address to something that truly reflects your brand, look no further than Bluehost Professional Email. This solution is designed specifically for freelancers, startups and growing businesses that want to build trust with every message.
Bluehost’s Professional Email goes far beyond a branded inbox. You get modern, business-focused features like read receipts, send later, follow-up reminders, undo send and even email templates. These features help you stay organized, timely and efficient.
Whether you manage your business on a desktop or on the go, you’ll have seamless access through mobile apps and webmail. Furthermore, you can rest assured knowing that all your operations are backed by strong security and 24/7 support.
With flexible pricing, powerful tools and advanced security, we offer one of the best email hosting solutions for small businesses in 2025.
Ready to upgrade your business email? Get started with secure and branded Bluehost email solutions, starting at a price as low as $1.67/month.
(Note: The price mentioned reflects the rates at the time of writing and is subject to change.)
Key features of Bluehost Professional Email
- Professional branding: Enhance your business’s credibility, create domain-based email addresses like yourbusiness@[emailcompany].com.
- Cross-device access: Stay connected through webmail and the Titan mobile app for seamless email access anywhere.
- Email scheduling: Use the “Send Later” feature to time your messages for better visibility and response rates.
- Advanced email security: Benefit from spam filters, anti-virus protection and encrypted communications.
- Two-factor authentication: Secure your account with added login protection through 2FA.
- Shared calendar access: Schedule meetings and collaborate using shared calendar features across platforms.
- One-click migration: Easily import contacts and messages from previous email providers.
- Productivity tools (Plus plan): Unlock turbo search, grammar check and inbox labeling with the Professional Plus plan.
Drawbacks
- Storage restrictions: The basic plan includes 10 GB per mailbox, while the Plus plan offers 50 GB.
- Short trial period: The free trial lasts only one month, limiting time for thorough testing.
- Manual setup for clients: Connecting to third-party apps like Outlook may require additional configuration.
Also read: Bluehost Professional Email: Features, Plans Comparison & FAQs
2. Bluehost Google Workspace
As one of the top business email hosting options, Bluehost Google Workspace integrates Google’s robust email solutions with our domain and hosting solution.
With Bluehost Google Workspace, you gain access to Gmail, Docs, Drive, and more, under your business domain including Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs and more, under their own domain.
Bluehost Google Workspace offers businesses an all-in-one package for managing their online presence and business communications.
Key features of Bluehost Google Workspace
- Seamless domain integration: Easily connect your domain purchased through Bluehost with Google Workspace, streamlining your setup without the need for complex DNS configuration.
- Full access to Google tools: Get the complete suite of Google apps—Docs, Sheets, Drive, Calendar, Meet and more—all under your business identity.
- Centralized management via Bluehost: For convenience and simplicity, you can manage your domain, hosting and email services from one Bluehost dashboard.
- Cross-device compatibility: With Google’s mobile-friendly apps for Android and iOS, you can access your email and documents from any device.
- Security and admin controls: The Google Admin Console offers built-in spam protection, two-step verification and admin settings to help safeguard your data.
Drawbacks
- Split support responsibility: For app-specific issues (like Google Docs formatting or Gmail filters), you’ll be redirected to Google’s support—not Bluehost.
- Scalability costs: As your team grows, per-user pricing may make Google Workspace expensive compared to bundled alternatives.
- Third-party dependency: Because Google Workspace is a third-party service, Google, not Bluehost, controls changes to its pricing or features.
3. Zoho mail
Being one of the reliable email hosting providers, Zoho offers a secure, ad-free email hosting service tailored to businesses.
It enables users to create professional business email addresses and manage email accounts.
Furthermore, it gives users great flexibility in running email marketing campaigns seamlessly.
With robust features such as custom domain-based business email and extensive admin controls, Zoho Mail supports business communications with security and efficiency.
These solutions make it an ideal choice for managing email accounts and email marketing strategies for growing businesses.
Key features of Zoho mail
- Ad-free and secure environment: Zoho Mail provides an ad-free email experience across all plans, including the free tier, ensuring a distraction-free and professional environment.
- Integrated productivity suite: The platform includes built-in tools like Calendar, Tasks, Notes and Bookmarks, facilitating seamless collaboration and productivity within the email interface.
- AI-powered assistant – Zia: Zoho Mail integrates Zia, an AI assistant powered by OpenAI, which enhances emailing efficiency with features like auto-complete, auto-generate and email summarizing.
- Flexible migration tools: Users can easily migrate from Gmail, Outlook or other platforms using Zoho’s step-by-step migration utilities and import tools.
- Free plan availability: Zoho Mail offers a free plan with up to 5 users and 5 GB storage per user, making it an attractive option for startups or freelancers.
Drawbacks
- Limited storage on free plan: The free plan offers only 5 GB per user, which may not suffice for businesses with large volumes of email or attachments.
- Advanced features require paid plans: Features like S/MIME encryption, email retention, eDiscovery and white labeling are reserved for higher-tier paid plans.
- Learning curve for admin console: The powerful Admin Console can be overwhelming for beginners, especially when configuring policies or domain settings.
- Occasional performance issues: Some users have reported occasional performance issues with Zoho Mail, such as slow loading times or intermittent connectivity problems.
- IMAP, POP and active sync not included in free plan: The free plan does not include IMAP, POP and Active Sync support, which may be a limitation for users who rely on these protocols.
4. Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 offers a comprehensive solution for businesses by combining email hosting with the powerful suite of Microsoft Office applications, such as Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
This integration provides businesses with all the essential tools for communication, productivity and collaboration in one cohesive platform.
Microsoft 365 is perfect for businesses that rely on Microsoft Office Suite for their day-to-day operations.
Its email hosting and wide range of business tools make it an all-in-one platform for boosting productivity and maintaining professional communication.
Key features of Microsoft 365
- Custom domain email addresses: Create professional email addresses using your own domain to enhance brand credibility and trust.
- Access anytime, anywhere: Microsoft 365 is cloud-based, so it is accessible from desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones.
- Robust security and compliance: Microsoft 365 complies with industry regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA and ISO certifications, ensuring thorough data security and compliance
- Integrated productivity suite: It seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft applications like Outlook, Teams, SharePoint and OneDrive, enabling smooth collaboration through real-time file sharing and communication tools.
Drawbacks
- Cost considerations: While Microsoft 365 offers a comprehensive suite of tools, the subscription-based pricing model can be costly over time.
- Complexity for new users: The extensive range of features and tools can be overwhelming for new users, potentially requiring additional training.
- Limited customization: While Microsoft 365 offers a range of features, customization options may be limited compared to other platforms.
5. ProtonMail for privacy
ProtonMail is a secure, privacy-focused email service developed by scientists from CERN and MIT in 2013. It is headquartered in Switzerland and benefits from the country’s stringent privacy laws. It protects user data under some of the world’s most robust regulations.
For small businesses handling sensitive communications—like legal firms, healthcare providers or tech startups—ProtonMail delivers GDPR-compliant, zero-access architecture that safeguards client data and internal correspondence. Additional tools like Proton Calendar and Proton Drive further support productivity, offering encrypted scheduling and cloud storage within the same privacy ecosystem.
Key features of ProtonMail for privacy
- Enhanced security: With end-to-end encryption and zero-access architecture, businesses can ensure that their sensitive data is protected from unauthorized access.
- User-friendly interface: ProtonMail provides an intuitive web interface and mobile apps, making it easy for teams to adopt without extensive training.
- Compliance with privacy regulations: Operating under Swiss jurisdiction, ProtonMail helps businesses comply with data protection laws like GDPR, which is crucial for companies handling personal data.
- Integration with additional tools: ProtonMail integrates with other Proton services such as Proton Calendar and Proton Drive. It offers a suite of tools for scheduling and secure file storage.
Drawbacks
- Limited storage on free plan: ProtonMail’s free tier offers only 500 MB to 1 GB of storage, which may be insufficient for users handling large volumes of emails or attachments.
- Subject lines are not encrypted: While ProtonMail provides end-to-end encryption for email content, the subject lines remain unencrypted due to PGP protocol limitations, potentially exposing sensitive information.
- Limited integration with third-party services: ProtonMail does not natively integrate with many third-party applications or services, which can hinder workflow efficiency for users relying on tools like Google Calendar or Drive.
Why does your business need an email hosting service?
Free Gmail accounts may be suitable for personal use. However, when it comes to business, they send the wrong message. Your email address is often the first impression you make — and it should reflect your brand, not someone else’s. That’s where professional email hosting services come in.
Also read: What is Email Hosting?
1. Establish credibility with a professional image
Customers and partners trust businesses more when their email addresses match their domain names.
Using email hosting to create a domain-based email address shows you’re established, legitimate and invested in your brand — even if you’re just getting started. This is especially important when evaluating small business email hosting options that offer the right blend of professionalism and affordability.
2. Own your brand with greater control and security
Free email services come with limitations and risks. With a business email hosting service, you gain full control over your accounts, permissions and data.
Furthermore, you can set up multiple users, assign roles, manage access and ensure security protocols like two-factor authentication and spam filtering.
Plus, hosting your email through a professional email server provider means you’re less likely to get flagged as spam. It keeps your communications reliable and trusted while also managing your domain and storage space in one place.
3. Improve team collaboration and workflow
Small business email hosting often includes tools that go beyond sending messages. These include various features such as shared calendars, contact directories, task management and cloud storage integrations. These features help teams stay aligned and productive.
Whether you’re a team of two or twenty, having a centralized, secure email hosting platform simplifies communication and improves efficiency. All this is achieved under your brand’s domain and managed by a trusted email hosting service.
How to choose the right email hosting provider for your business?
Choosing the right email hosting provider depends on your team size, budget and daily operations. Here’s a quick guide to help you make the best decision.
1. Set your budget and team needs
Decide how many email accounts you need and how much you can spend. While some email hosting providers offer free email hosting for small businesses, others include advanced security features and collaboration tools in their paid plans. In case of limited resources, it is advisable to choose an email provider with 24/7 support and simple onboarding.
2. Combine hosting and domain services
Using one provider for web and email hosting saves time. You can manage your own domain name, email server and custom email address from one dashboard. For example, Bluehost Google Workspace lets you easily manage multiple domains and shared hosting.
3. Focus on security and reliability
Your email must be secure and always available. Look for:
- 99.9% uptime
- SSL/TLS encryption
- Two-factor authentication
- Spam filtering and malware protection
- End-to-end encryption for sensitive data
These security features reduce junk mail and keep your outgoing emails safe.
4. Ensure cross-device access
Your email should work on all devices. Look for compatibility with Microsoft Outlook, Apple Mail and other popular platforms. This ensures smooth access to your custom email address across devices and supports team mobility.
5. Pick a scalable plan
As your business grows, your email needs will too. The best email hosting services offer:
- Flexible storage space
- Easy user management
- Tiered mail premium plans
- Admin tools for your entire team
6. Use a domain-based email
Emails like info@[yourcompany].com look professional and build trust. Most email hosting providers allow you to create custom email addresses tied to your own domain. This gives your team a unified professional image.
7. Look for built-in productivity tools
Great email hosting comes with:
- Google Calendar
- Cloud storage like Google Drive
- Team collaboration tools (e.g. Microsoft Teams, Zoho Workplace)
- Shared calendars, email templates, and mobile support
With Zoho Mail, Microsoft 365 and Bluehost Google Workspace bundle, you can manage work and communication in one place.
Bluehost email solutions: A scalable solution for small teams
Bluehost offers 2 of the best email hosting for small business: Professional Email and Google Workspace.
Whether you’re just starting out or scaling up, we deliver the best email hosting service for small businesses by combining ease of use with reliable support.
1. Easy setup with your domain
Creating a custom email address is simple with Bluehost. Whether you already have your own domain name or need to register one, our dashboard makes setup quick — no tech skills required. This helps reinforce your business name in every outgoing email, building trust and consistency.
2. Built-in spam and virus protection
At Bluehost, we employ robust spam and virus protection mechanisms to safeguard your inbox from unwanted and malicious content.
Additionally, we provide comprehensive protection against spam, viruses, phishing attacks and other email-related threats, ensuring that your communications remain secure and uninterrupted.
3. Calendar, contacts and productivity features
Bluehost Professional Email enhances productivity by offering integrated tools for calendar management and contact organization.
Users can synchronize their calendars and contacts across devices, facilitating seamless scheduling and communication.
These features are particularly beneficial for businesses aiming to streamline their operations and maintain organized communication channels.
4. Seamless integration with WordPress on Bluehost hosting plans
If you’re using WordPress and shared hosting through Bluehost hosting solutions, you benefit from built-in integration between your email hosting and website. From managing your custom domain to accessing mobile apps for email, everything is controlled from one central dashboard.
Whether you’re handling personal emails, working with third-party tools or sending large files, our hosting plans are designed to simplify communication while keeping things secure and efficient.
5. 24/7 support and bundled hosting plans
At Bluehost, we offer round-the-clock customer support to assist with any queries or issues related to email hosting and other services.
We also offer bundled hosting plans that include professional email services, allowing businesses to manage their website and email hosting under one roof. This integration simplifies account management and provides a cohesive experience for users.
Let us look at the key parameters you should consider when you are choosing the right email hosting provider.
Final thoughts
Your business email is more than a communication tool—it’s a reflection of your brand, professionalism and growth potential. Choosing the best email hosting service for small businesses means finding the right balance of security, reliability, integration and scalability.
Whether you need easy setup, reliable spam protection or built-in collaboration tools, Bluehost email hosting solutions cover all your business email needs. We make it simple to get started and provide ongoing support to help your business succeed over the long term.
Instead of settling for free or limited tools, take the next step toward a more professional, secure and efficient business email hosting service.
Ready to upgrade your email and strengthen your brand? Explore Bluehost email hosting plans today and power your small business with confidence.
FAQs
The best email hosting service for small business depends on your needs, but top options include Bluehost, Zoho Mail, Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. Bluehost stands out as a reliable email server provider offering all-in-one small business email hosting with domain integration, security and scalability.
Yes. Bluehost allows you to use your own domain to create professional email addresses. It’s a trusted email hosting solution for small businesses that simplifies setup and management through one dashboard.
Email hosting manages your email accounts and stores emails on an email server, while web hosting handles your website’s files. Bluehost combines both for convenience.
No, you don’t need a live website — just a registered domain name. Most email server providers let you set up business email hosting services using your domain without launching a site.
Yes. Reputable small business email hosting providers offer strong security measures like spam filtering, SSL and two-factor authentication. The best business email service will prioritize data protection with advanced features to keep client communications safe.
