Fastmail vs Gmail:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Gmail had more branded searches than Fastmail among email providers worldwide. Gmail had about 414 million branded searches, while Fastmail had 301,000. Gmail made up 63.1% of all email provider searches we track, and Fastmail accounted for 0.05%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about email providers, Gmail appeared in four of the five answers and Fastmail in three. Gmail was mentioned before Fastmail in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Gmail, about 1375 searches for every 1 for Fastmail
Who does AI mention more?
Gmail, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Fastmail in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Gmail, named ahead of Fastmail in every answer
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Top email providers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Gmail was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Fastmail was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Gmail was listed before Fastmail in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Gmail1st
Proton Mail2nd
Outlook3rd
Fastmail4th
iCloud5th
Zoho Mail6th
Yahoo Mail–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Gmail4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Proton Mail4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Outlook3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- iCloud3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Fastmail3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Zoho Mail1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Yahoo Mail0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about email providers
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which email provider should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best email providers?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best email provider for personal email?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“secure email service”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“email service”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Is Fastmail or Gmail more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Fastmail and Gmail by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven email providers we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Gmail, Fastmail. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Gmail | Outlook | Yahoo Mail | Zoho Mail | iCloud | Fastmail | Proton Mail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 61.4% | 22.9% | 15% | 0.5% | 0.18% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| Nov 2025 | 56.6% | 25.9% | 16.9% | 0.38% | 0.21% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| Dec 2025 | 56.6% | 25.9% | 16.9% | 0.38% | 0.21% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| Jan 2026 | 56.5% | 26% | 16.9% | 0.37% | 0.22% | 0.03% | <0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 59.9% | 24.7% | 14.7% | 0.4% | 0.19% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| Mar 2026 | 61.4% | 23% | 15% | 0.33% | 0.19% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| Apr 2026 | 61.4% | 23% | 15% | 0.41% | 0.18% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| May 2026 | 56.5% | 26% | 16.9% | 0.37% | 0.21% | 0.03% | <0.01% |
| Jun 2026 | 58% | 24% | 17.3% | 0.47% | 0.21% | 0.03% | <0.01% |
| Jul 2026 | 61.1% | 23.1% | 15% | 0.5% | 0.19% | 0.03% | <0.01% |
| Aug 2026 | 59.8% | 24.8% | 14.7% | 0.48% | 0.19% | 0.03% | <0.01% |
| Sep 2026 | 63.1% | 23.6% | 12.7% | 0.42% | 0.19% | 0.05% | <0.01% |
How has the Fastmail and Gmail comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Gmail was ahead of Fastmail in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Fastmail’s share of searches among email providers worldwide moved from 0.02% to 0.05%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 165K to 301K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Gmail’s share of searches among email providers worldwide moved from 61.4% to 63.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 414M.
How did search popularity change for email providers worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Gmail gained share of searches among email providers worldwide, from 59.8% to 63.1%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Fastmail worldwide rose 82.4% over 12 measured months, from 165K to 301K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Fastmail’s and Gmail’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among email providers
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