Prize Fight: Yahoo Mail vs. Gmail

Posted by Rafe Needleman

Share
- Digg
- Del.icio.us
- Reddit
- Facebook
- Google
- Newsvine
- Yahoo! Bookmarks
- Twitter
- Stumbleupon
E-mail
Print

Web e-mail powerhouses fight for Veronica.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Veronica Belmont pit Yahoo Mail (beta) against most geeks' favored e-mail service, Gmail. If you're aiming to dump your current PC (or Mac)-based e-mail app and move to the Web, this is a good, basic comparison of the strengths and weaknesses of the two services.

I'll tell you right now that Gmail won, by a nose. Click through to the video to see how Gmail performed in each round of the fight: Interface, Features, Speed, Organization, and Security.

>>> Play video >>>

Rafe Needleman writes about start-ups, new technologies, and Web 2.0 products, as editor of CNET's Webware. E-mail Rafe.

Topics:: Chat and e-mail

Tags:: Yahoo Mail,; GMail,; email,; Prizefight

Bookmark:: Digg; Del.icio.us; Reddit

Recent posts from Webware: Bookmarklet converts Web pages to CD sleeves; ChunkIt for search clarity; Fallout takes hold: Seesmic publicly lays off 7; YouTube beams up 'Star Trek' for long-form video; AOL to developers: Put passion over profit

Add a Comment (Log in or register) 4 comments

I want folders
by starlightmedia April 12, 2007 7:29 AM PDT: I tried Gmail but was very confused about not having folders. I don't like this label system and i dont't want it. So Gmail may have a lot of good features - but without folders i will not use it.

I was a long time user of Yahoo! Mail but had to many error messages in the last months. And there were too many mail delivery delays.

So at the moment my webmail favorite is Windows Live Hotmail. Just rediscovered Hotmail - nice new interface, fast, reliable.; Reply to this comment

folder & search
by jnf6 April 17, 2007 1:17 AM PDT: I agree with starlighmedia! I ve been using gmail for a couple of years now. Quite fast, no problems so far but I cannot get used to the "no folders" thing. Also, I hate to see my messages all scattered like that so to be honest I keep using both my accounts in hotmail and gmail. Not a yahoo user but the new interface looks really good. Gave it a try but not a serious one to analyze it here.

new Hotmail is quite good but I encoutered errors quite a few times. (nonstop loading, slow, checkboxes nto working). 50-50 I would say between gmail and hotmail.; Reply to this comment

Yahoo Mail Rules
by bmbavishi June 22, 2007 11:15 PM PDT: Yahoo Mail is NOW unlimited space and it also includes the yahoo messenger. Also in the video it only covered some points and they were not tested on both correctly. The video shows that the yahoo mail does not have features like directing to the map of the address. if you don't know you can email me and i will show you how. there is more than just map it gives you option if you want to save some link let say cnet.com i have received in my yahoo mail to the yahooo bookmark. in the video its mention that the yahoo mail does not allow you to add stuff to the calendar which is not entirely true. In yahoo mail it shows the upcoming events in your yahoo calendar which is very useful. Yahoo mail also has outlook like view option. In this option you can just click on the email and you can instantly view the mail so you dont have to go back to the inbox again. Also there are multiple tabs that helps when you are writing email and need to refer to other emails. HOWEVER i do agree that the ad makes it show to view the email in the outlook like view. The option of moving email is just gmail does not have and is the ultimate version of web mail. -------------------------------------------------------------
Yahoo Mail receives 8.8/10 and Gmail receives 7.2/10; Reply to this comment


by tigrad04 June 23, 2008 5:56 PM PDT: I have to admit I am a huge Gmail fan. I chose Gmail because unlike the previous people I am really bad about putting mail into folders so I love the great Google search of my email. Also Gmail provided many things for free that Yahoo made you pay for. for instance email forwarding and filtering. Also the ability to forward my email to Windows mail or any other client I preferred. Even though you can't use folders you can still label and archive your emails which is basically the same. Gmail for me is the winner.; Reply to this comment

About Webware

Say No to boxed software! The future of applications is online delivery and access. Software is passé. Webware is the new way to get things done.

Add this feed to your online news reader

Webware topics

Most Popular

Inside CNET News

Scroll Left Scroll Right

News - Business Tech
IBM invests in business partners' training
A business development fund aims to encourage its largest partners to take up more skills training around data centers.
Gallery
Photos: Top 10 reviews of the week
Military Tech
Navy charters kite-powered cargo ship to deliver equipment
The use of this new breed of sailing ship could reduce fuel costs by 20 to 30 percent, according to the ship's owners.
Coop's Corner
Ellison's mantra: Spend, baby, spend
It may be hell out there, but Oracle's chief tells shareholders the company still intends to shop for more acquisitions.
Video
Sprint launches Xohm WiMax
News - Wireless
FCC report negates free Internet interference claims
Report from commission engineers boosts plan to auction spectrum for free wireless Internet by dismissing concerns it would interfere with existing providers' signals.
Video
Talking with Newt Gingrich on tech, bailout
News - Politics and Law
President signs broadband data collection bill
The Broadband Data Act encourages wider collection of information regarding nationwide access to broadband.
News - Cutting Edge
Academics sink teeth into Yahoo search service
Yahoo hopes its Build Your Own Search Service program has piqued the interest of academic researchers. Next stop: start-ups.
Gallery
Photos: Cracking open Apple's revamped iPod Nano
Crossfade
The Streets, 'The Escapist': Free MP3 of the Day
Download a free MP3 of "The Escapist" courtesy of CNET Download Music.
Green Tech
Urban wind power inspired by ancient Persia
The shape of urban wind power continues to morph. The latest twist come from Windation, a company with a design inspired by centuries-old "wind catchers."