Ready to switch to a more reliable and secure email hosting solution?
Email Hosting
Dependable cloud based email hosting with spam filtering, antivirus protection, generous storage and webmail. Compatible with Outlook and all other POP3/IMAP clients.
SMTP Hosting
High volume SMTP service for responsible senders. Outbound relay service for transactional messages, email marketing campaigns, newsletters and other applications.
Email Servers
Dedicated email servers, clustering and multiple IP load balancing for high volume senders. Fixed monthly cost with unlimited sending and reputation monitoring.
About Greatmail
Greatmail is an email service provider (ESP) specializing in business class email hosting, SMTP hosting and email servers. For ISPs, application programmers and cloud developers, we also provide custom solutions including dedicated IP servers and process specific, load balanced configurations with multiple servers. From enterprise level antispam and virus protection to inbox deliverability consulting for email marketers, we have the firsthand experience to consistently deliver cost effective solutions for you and your clients.
In the Media
Greatmail is a featured email hosting provider at Hosting Advice. For more information and to read what Sean Garrity at Hosting Advice had to say about Greatmail, please visit the Hosting Advice Developer's Choice article.
Using Sender Authentication to Safeguard Your Messages
Sender authentications like SPF, DKIM and DMARC are increasingly a requirement for emails to deliver succesfully. If you are having problems with your emails not delivering or messages bouncing back due to authentication failure, please read on to learn more about the importance of implementing sender authentication protocols for your domain with your email hosting service.
Getting Your SPF Records Right
Not having a valid SPF record or having an incorrect SPF record can be detrimental and may mean your messages are not hitting inboxes as frequently as they should.
GDPR Compliance
The EU GDPR has a significant impact on personal data protection for individuals in the EU. As a US based email hosting provider with global clients, we've taken steps to be GDPR compliant for our EU customers.
Email Hosting Questions and Answers
What is the difference between IMAP, POP3, and SMTP?
IMAP, POP3 and SMTP are different protocols that enable you to use your mailboxes in email clients like Microsoft Outlook and on mobile devices. Specifically, IMAP and POP3 are used to retrieve incoming mail from your mail server while SMTP allows you to send outgoing mail messages to recipient addresses.
Think of these protocols like connectors allowing your email client or mobile device to communicate with your mailbox on the server. Instead of having to go to a webmail application or use a special mobile app to use your mailbox, IMAP, POP3 and SMTP let you use desktop email clients (Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail etc.) and the built-in mail applications on Android and iOS mobile devices.
To use these protocols in your email client or on your device, you will at least need to know your email address and password to be able to connect to your mailbox. Depending on the client or device you are trying to use, you may also need some more information like your server host name, port numbers and encryption settings. However, many email providers have autodiscovery services that attempt to manage the configuration settings automatically using just your email address and password.
Email clients and mobile devices will use either IMAP or POP3 for your incoming mail but not both. Which protocol you decide to use for incoming mail will depend on your personal preference. IMAP synchronizes mail with the server allowing you to have a unified experience on multiple devices while POP3 downloads messages from the server letting you decide to delete them right away or after a specified period of time.
If my domain's MX record is pointed to one provider, how am I able to access my mailboxes at another provider?
This is a common source of confusion during transition from one email service provider to another. The hosting of your domain's mailboxes and the pointing of your domain's MX record are distinct. The MX record in your domain's DNS specifies where incoming mail to mailboxes at your domain is routed. However, it is possible to have your mailboxes set up with different hosting providers simultaneously which is commonly done when you move your email hosting from one service to another. During this transition period, you can access your email at both the old and new hosts. This makes it possible to test connections to the new host before switching your MX record to their servers. It also enables you to migrate mailbox data before, during or after the MX record update since both the old and new hosts can be accessed via IMAP or other protocols.
Read more email hosting questions and answers
Recent Blog Articles
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Email is a fundamental part of modern business operations, serving as the primary communication channel for employees, clients, and partners. A reliable email provider ensures smooth communication, protects sensitive data, and enhances overall efficiency. However, not all email services are created equal, and over time, you may encounter issues that hinder productivity and security. Many ... Read more
Switching DNS Providers? Don’t Break Your Email—Follow This Checklist / March 1, 2025
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Introduction Email security remains one of the biggest challenges for organizations today. With cyber threats continuously evolving, businesses face increasing risks of data breaches, financial loss, and reputational damage caused by insecure email practices. According to the 2023 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), 94% of malware is delivered via email, highlighting the critical need ... Read more
Two-Factor Authentication and Its Importance for Email Accounts / February 12, 2025
In an era where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated, protecting email accounts has never been more critical. Email is a primary communication tool for businesses and individuals alike, making it a high-value target for hackers. One of the most effective ways to safeguard email accounts from unauthorized access is Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). What Is Two-Factor ... Read more
Common Email Scams and How to Protect Your Inbox / January 22, 2025
Email remains one of the most widely used forms of communication, making it a prime target for scammers. No matter how secure your email system is, there’s always some level of risk involved. Ultimately, it’s up to the user to remain vigilant and exercise caution when something looks questionable. Every day, individuals and businesses fall ... Read more
