Gmail was fully blocked in China in late 2014, cutting off access to the world's most popular email service for Chinese internet users. This created space for domestic email providers that already had massive user bases. Today, QQ Mail (Tencent) dominates with over 800 million registered users and 400 million active users, while 163 Mail (NetEase) serves more than 230 million users. However, email usage in China has fundamentally shifted — WeChat messaging has largely replaced email for personal communication, and email is now primarily used for business, international communication, and account registration.
Chinese Email Services Compared
| Service | Provider | Key Stats (2025) | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| QQ Mail (QQ邮箱) | Tencent | 800M+ registered users; 400M+ active users; integrated with QQ and WeChat | Largest user base; WeChat integration; 2GB free storage; mobile-first design |
| 163 Mail (网易邮箱) | NetEase | 230M+ registered users; one of China's oldest email services | Reliable and stable; strong spam filtering; professional image |
| 126 Mail (126邮箱) | NetEase | Part of NetEase's email suite; popular for personal use | Generous storage; clean interface; NetEase ecosystem |
| Aliyun Mail (阿里云邮箱) | Alibaba | Enterprise-focused; integrated with DingTalk and Alibaba Cloud | Best for business; domain email hosting; DingTalk integration |
| Gmail | Blocked in China since late 2014; accessible only via VPN | Was widely used before 2014; still the default for international communication |
Detailed Breakdown
QQ Mail (QQ邮箱)
China's dominant email service with over 800 million registered users and 400 million active users. QQ Mail is deeply integrated into Tencent's ecosystem — users can receive and send emails directly from within WeChat, and QQ Mail addresses are automatically created for every QQ account holder. It offers 2GB of free storage, strong mobile apps, and features like email reminders and large file attachments. For most Chinese internet users, their first email address was a QQ Mail address tied to their QQ number.
Key strength: Largest user base with seamless WeChat/QQ integration. Key differentiator: Most Chinese users already have a QQ Mail account without needing to register separately.
163 Mail (网易邮箱)
One of China's oldest and most respected email services, with over 230 million registered users. 163 Mail is known for its reliability, clean interface, and strong spam filtering. It is often the preferred choice for business email and professional communication, as it carries a more formal image compared to QQ Mail. NetEase also operates 126 Mail and Yeah Mail as part of its email suite, all sharing the same robust infrastructure.
Key strength: Professional image with reliable service. Key differentiator: Preferred for business and formal communication in China.
Aliyun Mail (阿里云邮箱)
Alibaba's email service, primarily targeting enterprise users. Aliyun Mail offers custom domain email hosting, enterprise-grade security, and tight integration with DingTalk (Alibaba's workplace collaboration platform). It is the go-to choice for Chinese businesses that want professional email addresses with their own domain names. Plans start free for basic use and scale with enterprise needs.
Key strength: Best email solution for Chinese enterprises. Key differentiator: Seamless DingTalk and Alibaba Cloud integration.
Email in China: A Declining But Essential Tool
Email usage in China has fundamentally changed over the past decade:
- WeChat replaced personal email: For day-to-day communication, Chinese users overwhelmingly use WeChat messaging instead of email
- Business email persists: Email remains essential for business communication, international trade, and formal correspondence
- Account registration: Email addresses are still required for registering on many services, making QQ Mail and 163 Mail universally used
- Gmail's legacy: Before the 2014 block, Gmail was popular among urban professionals. Many still access it via VPN for international communication
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Gmail has been blocked in China since late 2014. It is only accessible through a VPN, which carries legal risks under Chinese law.
QQ Mail (QQ邮箱) by Tencent is the most popular with over 800 million registered users. It is integrated with WeChat and QQ.
Email in China is primarily used for business, international communication, and account registration. For personal daily communication, WeChat has largely replaced email.
Yes. QQ Mail can send and receive emails to any international email address. However, some international spam filters may flag QQ Mail addresses.
For businesses, Aliyun Mail (Alibaba) or 163 Mail (NetEase) are the most professional choices. Aliyun Mail offers custom domain hosting with DingTalk integration.
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