Got a Chromebook and realized email is kind of a mess? Yeah, that's a common experience. ChromeOS is great for web browsing and lightweight tasks, but when it comes to native apps, you're more limited than Windows or Mac. Can't just download Outlook or Thunderbird and call it a day.
Chromebooks run ChromeOS, which means you're mostly stuck with web apps or Android apps from the Google Play Store. The good news is over 50 million people use Chromebooks (mostly students and teachers), so there's actually a decent selection of email apps that work well on these devices.
In this list, we're covering the best email apps that actually work on Chromebook in 2026. These are either web-based apps you access through Chrome, or Android apps available in the Google Play Store that don't feel terrible on a laptop form factor.
Some of these are free, some cost money, and some are Gmail alternatives if you're trying to escape Google's ecosystem (ironic, I know, considering you're on a Chromebook). We've tested these on actual Chromebooks to see which ones are worth using and which ones you should skip.
Missive
Best for Sharing Emails: Missive
Missive is the email app for teams who are tired of jumping between Gmail, Slack, and three other tabs just to get work done. It combines email, team chat, and task management in one interface, which sounds cluttered but actually works really well once you get used to it.
Team Inboxes are the main selling point. Instead of forwarding emails around or CC'ing everyone, you can create shared inboxes where the whole team sees incoming messages. Think support@, sales@, or info@ addresses where multiple people need access. You can assign emails to specific team members, add internal comments, and track who's handling what.
The chat-like format makes collaboration way faster than traditional email. Instead of replying-all to discuss an email, you can have a side conversation right next to the message. Attach files, tag people, keep everything in context. It's like Slack built directly into your inbox.
We listed it as one of the best email apps for Mac too, but it works just as well on Chromebook via the web app or Android version. You can connect any email provider (Gmail, Outlook, custom domains, whatever) and manage everything from one place.
Calendar integration means you can respond to meeting invites, check your schedule, and set reminders without leaving Missive. The app also integrates with tools like Asana, Trello, and Slack if you need even more workflow automation.
Missive is available as a web app (perfect for ChromeOS) and on the Google Play Store as an Android app. The Android version works fine on Chromebook, though the web interface feels more polished.
Best for freelancers managing client communication, service businesses with shared support emails, small teams that need to collaborate on customer inquiries, or anyone tired of forwarding emails to coworkers. If you're a solo user who just wants basic email, this is overkill. But for teams, it's worth the subscription.
Hey Email
Best for Productivity: Hey Email
Hey Email is what happens when productivity nerds (the folks at 37signals) get fed up with traditional email and decide to rebuild it from scratch. It's opinionated, unconventional, and honestly kind of polarizing. You'll either love it or bounce off it immediately.
The Screener is the first thing you'll notice. Every new sender has to be approved before their emails show up in your Imbox (yes, Imbox, not Inbox). First-time emails land in The Screener where you decide if they're worth your attention. Say no, and that sender is blocked forever. Say yes, and their emails go to either your Imbox, The Feed, or Paper Trail.
The Imbox is where important emails live. Stuff from people you care about, time-sensitive messages, things that need responses. The Feed is for newsletters, updates, and casual reading. Paper Trail is for receipts, confirmations, and reference material. This three-way split forces you to think about how you want to handle each sender, which sounds annoying but actually reduces inbox chaos.
HEY Calendar is included with your subscription, so you get email and calendar in one package for $99/year. The calendar uses color-coding to help you organize meetings, projects, and appointments visually. It's not as feature-rich as Google Calendar, but it's good enough for most people.
Security and privacy are baked in. HEY blocks tracking pixels by default, so senders can't see when you open their emails. They also offer disposable email addresses for sketchy signups and the ability to password-protect sensitive messages.
The search is fast, the interface is clean, and keyboard shortcuts make everything quicker once you learn them. The Android app works on Chromebook, and the web app is probably the better experience anyway since HEY was designed web-first.
Downsides: No free tier, and you can't use your existing Gmail address. You have to use a @hey.com email or forward everything from your current address. That's a dealbreaker for some people.
Best for individuals who want a fresh start with email, productivity enthusiasts willing to try something different, or anyone tired of the traditional inbox experience. If you're looking for free options or want to keep your current email address, skip this one.
Spike
Chat Like Email
Spike makes your email look like a messaging app, which is either genius or weird depending on how you feel about traditional email. Instead of formal subject lines and reply chains, Spike strips all that away and shows conversations like you're texting someone. Works as both an Android app and web app, so Chromebook users can pick whichever feels better.
Magic AI is Spike's AI assistant that handles a bunch of tasks. It can draft replies, brainstorm ideas, summarize long email threads, manage tasks, and basically save you time on repetitive stuff. The AI isn't groundbreaking, but it's useful enough that you'll actually use it instead of ignoring it like most AI features.
Channels and groups help organize team communication. You can create dedicated spaces for projects, departments, or clients, keeping everything separated and easy to find. It's like Slack, but your external communication (regular email) and internal communication (team chats) live in the same app.
Voice messages are built in, which is surprisingly handy. Sometimes typing a long explanation is annoying, and a quick voice message gets the point across faster. Your recipients get the audio in their regular email if they're not on Spike.
The chat-like interface removes all the email formality. No subject lines, no signatures, just back-and-forth conversation. For internal team communication, this is great. For formal business emails with clients, it feels a bit casual. You can switch to traditional email view if you need to, but the whole point of Spike is the conversational format.
Team collaboration is where Spike really shines. Solo users can use it to make email feel less formal and more approachable, but teams get the most value. Shared inboxes, group chats, collaborative task management, it's all there.
Best for small teams who want email and chat in one app, teams looking for a Slack alternative that includes external communication, or solo users who are tired of formal email and want something that feels more like texting. If you prefer traditional email formatting, Spike will drive you nuts.
Notion Mail
Best for AI Organization: Notion Mail
Notion Mail is free, which is honestly shocking considering what you get. It's Notion's attempt at building an email client that integrates with their productivity workspace, and for Chromebook users, it works via web or the Android app.
The AI features are the main draw here. Notion's AI can auto-sort emails, suggest replies, summarize long threads, and generally help you manage your inbox without drowning in messages. It's not as aggressive as some AI email tools, but it's helpful enough that you'll notice the difference.
Calendar integration means you can manage your schedule, send meeting invites, and start video calls directly from the email interface. Everything stays in one app, which is the whole point of Notion's ecosystem. Less tab-switching, more getting stuff done.
Document creation and file sharing are baked in. You can draft documents, share files with your team, and collaborate in real time without leaving your email. This is especially useful if you're already using Notion for team wikis and project documentation.
Privacy is a selling point compared to Gmail. Notion Mail doesn't scan your emails for ad targeting, and they make a point of saying your data belongs to you. If you're trying to escape Google's ecosystem (which is kind of ironic on a Chromebook), Notion Mail is one of the better alternatives.
The web interface is clean and works perfectly on ChromeOS. The Android app is fine, but the web version feels more polished and takes advantage of the laptop screen size.
Downsides: It's still relatively new, so some features feel unfinished. The email search isn't as powerful as Gmail's, and there are occasional bugs. Notion is actively improving it though, so these issues will probably get fixed over time.
Best for people already using Notion for productivity, anyone who wants AI email features without paying for Superhuman, or Chromebook users looking for a free Gmail alternative that respects privacy. If you're not in the Notion ecosystem, the integration benefits won't matter as much.
Fastmail
Best For Fast and Intuitive Emailing
Fastmail is for people who want a no-nonsense email experience without Google tracking everything. It's been around since the late '90s, which in internet years means it's basically ancient, but they've kept the product updated and modern. Works on Chromebook via web or the Android app from the Play Store.
The interface is clean and minimal. No clutter, no unnecessary features, just email done right. You get your inbox, calendar, and contacts all in one place, which sounds basic but that's exactly what most people need. You can organize your day, respond to meeting invites, and manage your address book without opening three different apps.
Multiple email addresses are supported, and you can create alias addresses for privacy. Sign up for sketchy websites with throwaway aliases, and if they start spamming you, just delete the alias without affecting your main email. Smart move for avoiding spam.
Calendar collaboration works well. You can share calendars with family or coworkers, see their availability, and schedule events together. Not as feature-packed as Google Calendar, but it handles the basics smoothly.
Contact management is built in. You can see all messages from a specific sender, edit contact details, and keep everything organized. The sidebar gives you quick access to folders, labels, and tools without hunting through menus.
Security and privacy are the main reasons people choose Fastmail over Gmail. No ads, no scanning your emails for marketing data, no selling your information to third parties. Your email stays private. They're based in Australia and have strong privacy policies compared to US-based providers.
The web interface works great on ChromeOS. Fast loading, responsive design, keyboard shortcuts if you're into that. The Android app is fine, but honestly, the web version is so good you probably won't bother downloading the app.
Pricing starts at a few bucks a month, which is reasonable if privacy matters to you. There's no free tier, so if you're looking for a free option, keep scrolling.
Best for security-conscious users who don't trust Google with their email, people who want a clean and simple email client without bells and whistles, or anyone who values privacy and is willing to pay for it. If you need free email, this isn't it.
Proton Mail
Encrypted Email Service in Switzerland
Proton Mail is the email service for people who are genuinely worried about privacy and security. It's based in Switzerland, uses end-to-end encryption by default, and is protected by Swiss privacy laws, which are some of the strongest in the world. Available as a web app or Android app on Chromebook.
End-to-end encryption means your emails are encrypted before they leave your device, and only the recipient can decrypt them. Not even Proton can read your emails, which is a huge deal if you're sending sensitive information. When you email another Proton user, everything is encrypted automatically. For non-Proton users, you can password-protect messages for an extra layer of security.
Customization options are surprisingly good. You can choose different inbox layouts, switch between themes, use folder colors to organize categories, and enable dark mode for late-night emailing. It feels personal, not like a generic corporate email client.
Labels, subfolders, and filters help you organize incoming emails automatically. Set up rules so newsletters go to one folder, work emails go to another, and personal stuff stays in your main inbox. It's not as powerful as Gmail's filters, but it's good enough for most use cases.
Multiple identities and alias addresses let you manage different online personas. One email for work, one for personal, one for sketchy signups. If an alias gets compromised or starts getting spam, just delete it without affecting your other addresses.
Keyboard shortcuts speed things up if you're a power user. Once you learn the shortcuts, navigating your inbox becomes way faster. Advanced search helps you find specific emails quickly, though it's not quite as good as Gmail's search (which has 20+ years of development behind it).
One-click unsubscribe makes it easy to clean up your inbox. Sick of promotional emails? Unsubscribe in seconds without hunting for tiny links at the bottom of messages.
The free tier gives you 1GB of storage and limited features, which is usable but not generous. Paid plans unlock more storage, custom domains, and advanced features. If privacy is your top priority, the paid tier is worth it.
Best for Chromebook users who prioritize security and privacy, anyone sending sensitive information via email, or people who don't trust US-based email providers with their data. If you just need basic email and don't care about encryption, Proton is overkill.
Proton Mail is a secure email management built by the Proton team in Switzerland.
Top Questions: Answered
Common Chromebook Email Questions
Here are the most common questions Chromebook users ask about email:
What's the best free email client for Chromebook?
Gmail takes this one. It's built into ChromeOS, works perfectly on web and Android, and gives you 15GB of free storage with a basic Google account. Yeah, I know, using Gmail on a Chromebook isn't exactly groundbreaking advice, but it's free and it just works.
Notion Mail is the best free alternative if you want to escape Google's ecosystem. It's completely free (no paid tiers at all), works great as a web app, and includes AI features that Gmail charges for. The catch is it's newer and less polished than Gmail, but for a free option, it's solid.
Can I use email offline on Chromebook?
Yeah, but it depends on the app. For web-based email clients, you'll need Chrome to cache the offline version, which Gmail does automatically if you enable offline mode in settings. Just search for "Gmail offline" in Gmail settings and turn it on.
Android apps from the Play Store usually have better offline support since they're designed for mobile devices that lose connection. If offline access is critical, download the Android version of your email app instead of using the web version.
Gmail is still the best for offline access on Chromebook. They've had years to perfect it, and it works smoothly even without internet.
Which email app has a built-in calendar for Chromebook?
Fastmail handles this well. The calendar is integrated directly into the email interface, so you can see upcoming events and meetings alongside your inbox. Works great on both web and Chromebook.
Notion Mail also includes calendar features, though they're more basic. HEY Email includes HEY Calendar as part of the $99/year subscription. Missive has calendar integration too, but it's more focused on team scheduling than personal calendar management.
What's the best Chromebook email client with no ads?
Fastmail, Proton Mail, and Notion Mail are all ad-free. Notion Mail is completely free with no ads, which is honestly kind of shocking. Fastmail and Proton Mail have free tiers (Proton) or paid-only plans (Fastmail), but neither show ads.
If you're using Gmail, you're getting ads in the form of promotional tabs and sponsored results. Most people don't care, but if ads bother you, the three above are your best options.
Can I use Thunderbird on Chromebook?
No. Thunderbird is only available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It's not in the Google Play Store as an Android app, and there's no web version, so Chromebook users are out of luck.
Chromebooks can only run web apps (accessed through Chrome) or Android apps from the Google Play Store. If the app doesn't exist in one of those formats, you can't use it on ChromeOS.
Why can't I download Microsoft Outlook on Chromebook?
Microsoft pulled all their Office apps from the Google Play Store a while back, which means you can't download Outlook as an Android app on Chromebook anymore. It's a business decision thing, probably to push people toward Microsoft's own devices.
You can still access Outlook via the web at outlook.com, and it works fine in Chrome. The web version has most of the features of the desktop app, just not the offline capabilities or the polished interface. For most Chromebook users, the web version is good enough.
What's the most secure email for Chromebook?
Proton Mail wins here. End-to-end encryption, based in Switzerland with strong privacy laws, and they literally can't read your emails even if they wanted to. If security and privacy are your top concerns, Proton is the best choice.
Fastmail is also solid for privacy (no ad tracking, no data selling), but it doesn't have the same level of encryption as Proton. HEY Email blocks tracking pixels and offers some privacy features, but it's not end-to-end encrypted like Proton.
More Recommendations for Email on Chromebook
If the apps above don't fit your needs, here are a few more options that work on Chromebook. These all have either Android apps in the Google Play Store or web-based versions that run in Chrome:
Shortwave is an AI-powered email client that works via web. It's focused on speed and uses AI to help you triage emails, draft responses, and search your inbox faster. The AI features are actually useful, not just marketing hype. If you're drowning in email and want something smarter than Gmail without paying Superhuman prices, Shortwave is worth trying.
Gmail is the obvious choice we haven't talked about much because, well, you already know about Gmail. It's free, built into ChromeOS, and has 15GB of storage. The interface is familiar, search is powerful, and it works offline. Yeah, Google tracks everything, but for most Chromebook users (especially students), Gmail is the default for good reason.
The big downside with email on Chromebook is you're limited to web apps or Android apps. Desktop email clients like Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or the desktop version of Outlook just don't work on ChromeOS. If you need those specific apps, a Chromebook isn't the right device.
But honestly, web-based email has gotten so good that most people won't miss desktop clients. The apps on this list handle 90% of what people need from email: sending messages, managing calendars, organizing folders, and keeping spam out of your inbox. The other 10% (advanced filters, offline access, plugins) is stuff that only power users care about anyway.
Shortwave Email is a fast email app with AI assistance and focus first features.