Email Guide

What Is the Chinese Version of Gmail in 2026?

Gmail has been unreliable in China for years. Chinese email services offer better performance and unique features.

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Gmail's Status in China

Blocked since 2014 Unreliable access

Gmail has been largely blocked in China since December 2014, when Google's services faced a major crackdown. While there have been brief periods of partial accessibility, Gmail is essentially unusable in mainland China without a VPN. Even when technically accessible, connections are extremely slow and unreliable.

Top Chinese Email Services

1. QQ Mail (&#xQQ;邮箱) — #1 Pick

Tencent (1998) • 1.1B+ registered users Most popular

QQ Mail is China's most popular email service, operated by Tencent. With over 1.1 billion registered accounts, it's the default email for most Chinese internet users. It's directly tied to your QQ account (Tencent's messaging platform).

  • Storage: Unlimited storage for most users
  • Features: Calendar, file storage (up to 3GB), memo, contacts, integrated with QQ and WeChat
  • Spam Filtering: Excellent, leveraging Tencent's massive email traffic data
  • Mobile App: Well-designed with push notifications
  • EAL3+ Security: QQ Mail has achieved EAL3+ certification, China's highest email security standard

2. 163 Mail / NetEase Mail (网易邮箱)

NetEase (1997) • 900M+ registered Professional

163 Mail (operated by NetEase) is the second most popular email service in China and is often preferred for professional use due to its clean interface and reliable service.

  • Features: Large attachments (up to 50MB), calendar, notes, to-do list
  • Spam Block Rate: 99.99% (industry-leading claim)
  • Security: SSL/TLS encryption, two-factor authentication, anti-phishing
  • 126.com Variant: NetEase also operates 126.com, which uses the same infrastructure

3. Aliyun Mail (阿里云邮箱)

Alibaba Cloud • Enterprise-grade

Aliyun Mail is Alibaba Cloud's email service, offering both free personal accounts and enterprise solutions. It's known for excellent uptime and enterprise-grade reliability.

  • Free Tier: 5GB storage
  • Enterprise: Custom domains, admin console, security features
  • Best For: Business users, Alibaba Cloud ecosystem

4. Outlook China

Microsoft • Accessible without VPN

Microsoft Outlook.com (formerly Hotmail) is one of the few major international email services that works in China without a VPN. It's a good choice for users who need both China accessibility and international connectivity.

Comparison Table

FeatureGmailQQ Mail163 MailAliyun MailOutlook
Available in China❌ Blocked✅ Yes✅ Yes✅ Yes✅ Yes
Users1.8B+1.1B+900M+Variable400M+
Free Storage15GBUnlimitedUnlimited5GB15GB
Spam ProtectionGoodGoodExcellentGoodGood
Max Attachment25MB50MB50MB50MB20MB
Security CertStandardEAL3+StandardEnterpriseStandard
English Interface✅ Native✅ Yes❌ Limited✅ Yes✅ Native

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gmail available in China?▶
No, Gmail has been largely blocked in China since December 2014. Access requires a VPN, and even then connections are extremely slow and unreliable. Chinese users use QQ Mail, 163 Mail, or Aliyun Mail instead.
What email do Chinese people use?▶
QQ Mail (Tencent) is the most popular with 1.1B+ registered accounts, followed by 163 Mail (NetEase). For business, Aliyun Mail and Outlook.com are common choices.
Is Outlook available in China?▶
Yes, Microsoft Outlook.com is one of the few major international email services accessible in China without a VPN. It's a practical choice for users who need both China and international connectivity.
Can I use QQ Mail with an international phone number?▶
QQ Mail is tied to QQ accounts which traditionally required Chinese phone numbers. However, international registration options may be available. 163 Mail and Aliyun Mail may be easier for international users.

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