📧

Outlook.com

Microsoft's Free Email Service

🏢 By Microsoft Corporation

🌍 Global availability

💾 15 GB free storage

🔗 Microsoft ecosystem integration

✉️

GMX Mail

European-Based Free Email

🏢 By 1&1 Mail & Media (Germany)

🇪🇺 Popular in Europe

💾 65 GB free storage

📎 Large attachment support

01 — OVERVIEW

Two Free Email Options

Outlook.com (formerly Hotmail) and GMX Mail are both free email services that offer web-based access, mobile apps, and desktop client support. While Outlook.com is backed by Microsoft with deep integration into Windows and Office products, GMX is a German-based service popular in Europe known for generous storage and privacy-focused features. Both are solid choices for personal email—the best one for you depends on your location, storage needs, and ecosystem preferences.

02 — FEATURES

What Each Service Offers

📧 Outlook.com

✓
Microsoft Integration Seamless with OneDrive, Office Online, Teams, and Windows
✓
Focused Inbox AI-powered email sorting to prioritize important messages
✓
Calendar & Contacts Built-in calendar, task management, and contact sync
✓
Modern Interface Clean, customizable design with dark mode support
✓
Premium Upgrade Microsoft 365 upgrade path for advanced features

✉️ GMX Mail

✓
Generous Storage 65 GB free email storage—more than most competitors
✓
Mail Collector Collect emails from other accounts into one inbox
✓
Large Attachments Send files up to 50 MB directly, larger via cloud
✓
Organizer Tools Calendar, address book, and file storage included
✓
European Data Centers Data stored in Germany under EU privacy laws

03 — COMPARISON

Side-by-Side Specs

Feature	📧 Outlook.com	✉️ GMX
Free Storage	15 GB	65 GB
Max Attachment Size	34 MB	50 MB
Custom Domain	✓ Paid	—
Calendar	✓	✓
Mobile Apps	✓ iOS & Android	✓ iOS & Android
IMAP/POP Support	✓	✓
Ad-Free Option	✓ Microsoft 365	✓ ProMail
Two-Factor Auth	✓	✓
Data Location	Global (US-based)	Germany (EU)
Parent Company	Microsoft	1&1 (United Internet)

04 — USE CASES

Which Service Fits Your Needs?

🖥️

Windows User

Using Windows PC and want seamless integration with your operating system and Microsoft apps.

📧 Outlook.com

🇪🇺

European Privacy Focus

Prefer your data stored in EU data centers under GDPR and German privacy laws.

✉️ GMX Mail

💾

Storage-Heavy User

Need lots of free email storage without paying for upgrades.

✉️ GMX Mail

📱

Multi-Device User

Access email across phone, tablet, web, and desktop apps seamlessly.

Both Work Well

🏢

Future Business Use

May upgrade to professional email with custom domain later.

📧 Outlook.com

📎

Large File Sender

Regularly send large attachments via email.

✉️ GMX Mail

05 — TRADE-OFFS

Pros & Cons Summary

📧 Outlook.com

✓ Pros

Best integration with Microsoft products
Clean, modern interface with Focused Inbox
Strong spam filtering
Easy upgrade path to Microsoft 365
Global infrastructure and reliability

✗ Cons

Less free storage than GMX
Data stored primarily in US
Ads in free version

✉️ GMX Mail

✓ Pros

Generous 65 GB free storage
EU-based data centers (GDPR)
Larger attachment limits
Mail Collector from other accounts
Multiple alias addresses

✗ Cons

Less known outside Europe
Interface feels dated to some users
Limited ecosystem integrations

🌍

A Note on Regional Popularity

GMX is particularly popular in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where it has strong brand recognition and trust. Outlook.com (and its predecessor Hotmail) has broader global adoption. If you're in Europe and value EU data protection, GMX may appeal to you. If you're in the Microsoft ecosystem or outside Europe, Outlook.com is likely the more practical choice.

📚

Educational Only

This comparison is for informational purposes. Features and storage may vary and change over time.

™️

Trademarks

Outlook is a trademark of Microsoft. GMX is a trademark of 1&1 Mail & Media GmbH.

🔄

Subject to Change

Email services update frequently. Verify current features on official websites.

⚖️

Independent

This guide is not affiliated with Microsoft or GMX. No endorsement implied.