Alternatives
Gmail alternatives
Google lists a phone number as optional when you create a Google Account, but says phone verification is sometimes required. If you want a mailbox where a phone number is never part of the sign-up, these are the providers to check and what each trades away.
Last verified 14 November 2026
Why people look for a Gmail alternative
- Google says phone verification is sometimes required to confirm you are a real person.
- You do not want a mailbox inside an advertising company's account system.
- You want a provider that does not tie your mail to a phone number you may have to share.
What to check before you choose
- Whether sign-up or recovery ever asks for a phone number.
- Whether the provider asks for an alternate email address. Mailfence's FAQ says its sign-up requires one.
- Which payment methods are accepted and whether any require personal details.
- Whether IMAP and SMTP work with the mail app you use.
A shortlist, with the trade-offs
Proton Mail
Best for: Mail that is end-to-end and zero-access encrypted by default, built-in PGP, open-source apps and an established company.
Trade-off: Third-party mail apps need the paid Bridge, Free has one address, and we found no direct Monero option.
Posteo
Best for: A very inexpensive German mailbox with no personal details at sign-up, prepaid credit, cash payment by post and encrypted mail storage.
Trade-off: No free plan or trial, no custom domains, and no crypto payment found.
mailbox.org
Best for: A paid German mailbox with PGP and S/MIME, IMAP, custom domains, disposable addresses and cash-by-post payment.
Trade-off: No permanent free plan, no crypto payment found, and the cheapest plan is annual only.
Mailfence
Best for: OpenPGP key management built into the webmail on every plan, a Belgian company and Tor access.
Trade-off: Sign-up needs an alternate email address, and mail apps over IMAP are only on paid plans from Entry.
VaelMail
Best for: Signing up with no phone number or recovery email, keeping sites apart with receive-only aliases, paying in crypto with no card, and reaching your mail over Tor or without JavaScript.
Trade-off: A lost account number cannot be recovered. Free cannot send. The encrypted mailbox is optional and not zero-knowledge, and VaelMail is a small independent service without the apps, integrations or track record of the large providers.
Common questions
Which email providers do not require a phone number?
Proton's guide says a phone number is not required, Posteo says sign-up needs no personal details, mailbox.org lists anonymous registration, and VaelMail asks for no phone, name or email. Mailfence needs an alternate email address.
Can I get a Gmail address without a phone number?
Google lists a phone number as optional in the standard flow but says verification is sometimes required.
Keep reading
Ready to try it?
Free accounts receive mail with no phone number and no payment. Upgrade only if you need to send.