
Hushmail offers a range of features that make it a great choice for both personal and business use.
For personal use, Hushmail's end-to-end encryption ensures that your emails are private and secure.
With Hushmail, you can create multiple email addresses and customize them with your name or business name.
Hushmail also offers a free version, which is perfect for casual users or those who want to try out the service before committing to a paid plan.
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Cost and Pricing
Hushmail offers a range of pricing options, but it's not the most straightforward.
The personal plan is called Hushmail Premium, and it costs $59.98 per year. You get 10GB of storage, an ad-free account, and two secure web forms.
One of the unique aspects of Hushmail is that there isn't a free plan. However, you can sign up for a 14-day free trial with no credit card required.
The business plans are essentially the same as the personal plan, but with some extras like custom domain support, email forwarding, and administrative tools. However, the pricing doesn't make sense, as the price per user is the same regardless of the number of employees.
For another approach, see: Yandex Mail Free Plan
To give you a better idea, here are the pricing options:
One thing to keep in mind is that there's a one-time setup fee of $9.99 for business subscriptions.
Features and Benefits
Hushmail's features are designed to provide secure and reliable email services. With 10 GB of storage, you can store a large number of emails without worrying about running out of space.
The free plan offers 25 Mb of storage, which is still a decent amount for casual users. However, if you need more space, the premium plan is a good option.
One of the key benefits of Hushmail is its robust encryption, which safeguards data at rest and in transit. This ensures that only authorized recipients can access your emails.
Hushmail's secure storage automatically archives all emails, providing a centralized and secure repository for your communication history. This is especially useful for businesses that need to keep track of sensitive information.
The premium plan includes unlimited email aliases, which can be used to protect your privacy and send emails from various addresses. This feature is particularly useful for businesses that need to keep their email communications separate.
Hushmail also offers a range of other features, including:
- IMAP, POP support
- Import contacts via CSV
- Spam/Junk folder
- OpenPGP encryption
- Two-step verification (SMS, email, or app)
- Secure forms feature
- iPhone compatible
- Redesigned Message Center inbox
- Form sharing feature
Overall, Hushmail's features and benefits make it a reliable choice for anyone looking for secure and private email services.
Security and Privacy
Hushmail provides end-to-end encryption with OpenPGP, ensuring that only the intended recipient can access the email content. This encryption is particularly useful for businesses dealing with sensitive data.
To achieve this level of security, Hushmail uses a zero-knowledge architecture, which means that the company can't decrypt emails without the password. Your emails can only be decrypted with a Canadian warrant specifically requesting your data if there is a reasonable belief that a crime has been committed.
Hushmail's security features also include forward secrecy, certificate pinning, and HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS), which protects against downgrade and other man-in-the-middle attacks. Your account is protected by a password, and Hushmail uses a zero-knowledge model to protect against fraud.
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Here are some key security features of Hushmail:
- End-to-end encryption with OpenPGP
- Zero-knowledge architecture
- Forward secrecy
- Certificate pinning
- HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS)
Hushmail's security features are designed to protect your data and ensure that it remains confidential. By using a combination of encryption and zero-knowledge architecture, Hushmail provides a high level of security for your emails and personal information.
Secure Forms
Secure forms are a unique feature of Hushmail that allow you to build encrypted forms using a drag-and-drop editor.
These forms are excellent for businesses, especially for intake forms, consent forms, and more. You can attach them to any email you're sending out, and the form editor is dead simple to use.
With Hushmail's e-signature support, you can accept forms straight from your inbox. There are also preset templates ready to go, making it easy to get started.
Hushmail's secure forms are used for various business types, allowing clients to communicate with you and securely send you encrypted files.
Here are some benefits of Hushmail's secure forms:
- Encrypted forms protect sensitive information
- Easy to use drag-and-drop editor
- Preset templates available
- E-signature support for secure form acceptance
Overall, Hushmail's secure forms are a powerful tool for businesses that need to collect sensitive information from clients.
Privacy
Hushmail records your IP address and all the information on the intake form when you create an account. This data is used to monitor your activities, and in some cases, your account may be monitored if you're participating in activities punishable under the laws of British Columbia.
Hushmail collects a significant amount of data, including account actions, email subjects, attachment file names, email addresses, account usernames, and browser metadata. This data is not shared with any third party except to prevent account abuse.
Your information is stored on Hushmail's servers, which are located in Canada. As a result, Hushmail adheres to Canadian privacy laws, which require the company to keep logs of activity and release information if a warrant is issued.
Here are some of the specific data points that Hushmail collects:
- IP address
- Intake form information
- Account actions
- Email subjects
- Attachment file names
- Email addresses
- Account usernames
- Browser metadata
Hushmail has safeguards in place to protect your data, including not sharing it with advertisers and protecting it from connection snooping, government surveillance programs, and unauthorized content analysis.
Regulations and Compliance
Hushmail offers industry-specific plans that cater to different regulatory requirements. This includes HIPAA-compliant email services for healthcare providers, which is a must-have for protecting patient information.
Hushmail for healthcare plans range from $10 per month to hundreds of dollars per month, but the price is worth it for the added security and compliance. The plan includes secure forms with the necessary Business Associate Agreement for HIPAA compliance.
The law industry also has its own plan, which includes a signed agreement to support the claim of attorney-client privilege in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. This is a crucial feature for law offices that handle sensitive client information.
Company Spills Encrypted Emails
Hushmail's email encryption system is a bit tricky when sending to non-Hushmail users.
You see, when you send a message to someone with a different email service, you're not actually sending it directly to them. Instead, you're sending it to Hushmail's servers, which then handle the authentication.
Hushmail's servers act as a middleman, protecting your emails with OpenPGP encryption. This means that even when sending to non-Hushmail users, your emails are still protected by this robust encryption system.
To access the message, the recipient needs to click a link and set a password, which takes them to Hushmail's servers where the decryption process happens.
Health, Law, Nonprofits
Hushmail offers industry-specific email services for healthcare, law, and nonprofits. These plans are designed to meet the unique needs of each industry.
For healthcare, Hushmail's HIPAA-compliant email services are a game-changer. Plans range from $10 per month to hundreds of dollars per month, but the price is worth it for the added security and compliance.
Hushmail for Law includes a signed agreement claiming attorney-client privilege, which is a must-have for law firms. This plan also allows for unlimited email aliases and up to 100 email addresses that are automatically redirected to one user's account.
On the other hand, Hushmail for Nonprofits is a more affordable option, costing $2 less per month per user compared to a standard Small Business plan. However, it doesn't offer any specific features, so you'll need to weigh the cost savings against the lack of added benefits.
If you need a customized plan that meets your business' unique needs, Hushmail's Enterprise plans are available through contact only. These plans allow you to tailor a solution that fits your specific requirements.
Drawbacks and Limitations
Hushmail's pricing can vary significantly based on the number of users, which may lead to higher costs for larger organizations.
The free version of Hushmail has storage limitations, which might not be sufficient for organizations with high email volumes.
Hushmail records your IP address and requires you to provide your current email address and confirm your phone number when making an account.
This information is stored for up to 18 months and can be susceptible to data breaches or transferred to third parties.
Hushmail employees may have potential access to your emails since they are encrypted on the Hushmail servers, not on your own computer.
Hushmail's encryption protocol does not cover email recipients and subject lines, despite providing robust encryption for the body of your emails.
Hushmail lacks a calendar feature, unlike many other email providers.
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Target Audience
Hushmail's target audience is primarily individuals and businesses that value online security and privacy. Many of these users are concerned about government surveillance and data breaches.
Hushmail's features, such as end-to-end encryption and zero-access encryption, cater specifically to these concerns. This makes it an attractive option for users who want to protect their sensitive information.
Small business owners and entrepreneurs also make up a significant portion of Hushmail's user base. They appreciate the ease of use and scalability of Hushmail's services, which allows them to manage their email and other online communications securely.
Support for Users
Support for users is a top priority for Hushmail. They offer a toll-free number that's available from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday to Friday.
You can also reach out to them via email, but keep in mind that they take one business day to respond. Telephone and email support is only available for paid Hushmail accounts, though.
Hushmail is active on social media, regularly posting updates and tips on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. You can even contact them through their Facebook account for support.
The Help section of Hushmail's website is a treasure trove of information, with over 100 articles covering almost every query you'll have.
Personal Use
For individuals who use Hushmail for personal purposes, such as freelancers or startups, a specific plan is available.
This plan includes standard encryption features, secure web forms, and 10GB of storage.
Small Businesses
Hushmail offers a plan specifically for small businesses, which allows for unlimited email aliases and up to 100 email addresses that are automatically redirected to one of your accounts.
This plan also includes the ability to send e-signable forms for an additional $4/month per user.
The main difference between this plan and the Law plan is that it doesn't include access to a private message center.
Small business owners can also take advantage of the fact that Hushmail for nonprofits is cheaper than a standard Small Business plan, saving $2 per month per user.
Nonprofits
Nonprofits are a crucial part of many industries, with 1.5 million registered nonprofits in the United States alone.
Their mission-driven focus often resonates with socially conscious consumers, who are more likely to engage with brands that give back to the community.
Nonprofits often have a strong online presence, with 70% of nonprofits using social media to reach their audience.
This is because social media platforms provide an affordable and effective way for nonprofits to raise awareness and funds.
Many nonprofits also partner with for-profit businesses to amplify their impact, with 75% of nonprofits collaborating with corporate partners.
This partnership can help nonprofits reach a wider audience and gain access to resources and expertise.
Nonprofits often have a loyal donor base, with 80% of donors giving to the same cause year after year.
This loyalty is built on trust and a shared sense of purpose, which is why nonprofits must prioritize transparency and accountability in their operations.
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Conclusion
Hushmail is not suitable for personal use due to its high price tag of $49.99 per year.
The service's focus is on businesses, particularly those in the healthcare and legal fields, where it can be a valuable tool for encrypted communication.
For personal use, there are more private and feature-rich options available for free, making Hushmail a less justifiable choice.
While Hushmail excels at serving businesses, its price is steep, especially with no tiered discounts for large businesses.
Ultimately, Hushmail's strengths lie in its ability to provide secure communication channels for businesses, but its limitations make it less appealing for individual users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hushmail.com legitimate?
Yes, Hushmail.com is a legitimate email service provider with over 25 years of experience in secure email solutions, including serving small healthcare practices under HIPAA guidelines. With a proven track record of protecting sensitive information, you can trust Hushmail.com to safeguard your emails.
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