Any recommend for a new e-mail/web hosting provider please

Phrozenpenguin · 23 Aug 2023 at 12:03

Thanks for the input.

To be clear I have no issue with changing MX/DNS records and know that will be required for whatever I choose. I was referring to the positive situation whereby I control the domain independent of the provider; many (including TSO) offer a "free" domain that I have always treated with scepticism (e.g. in this situation of wanting to move away).

I'm sure ExchangeOnline is good, and reliable etc. But at GBP100 to maintain a couple of low use (and low importance) emails I was just a bit taken aback by!

Just started a Fastmail trial, and it is very slick so far (including migrating messages which it is in the middle of).

Caged · 23 Aug 2023 at 12:58

Fastmail is $5/user/month for 30GB storage, Exchange Online is £3.30/user/month for 50GB, I'm not seeing the large cost discrepancy.

the-evaluator · 23 Aug 2023 at 13:29

Phrozenpenguin said:
To be clear I have no issue with changing MX/DNS records and know that will be required for whatever I choose. I was referring to the positive situation whereby I control the domain independent of the provider; many (including TSO) offer a "free" domain that I have always treated with scepticism (e.g. in this situation of wanting to move away).

What positive situation? You'll be in the EXACT same position with regards to DNS hosting, web hosting, choice of domain registrar and so on if you're using Microsoft, Fastmail or A. N. Other company to host your email. Exactly the same.

I buy my domains through NameCheap, host DNS myself and use Exchange Online for email. I've got no less a positive position than you.

Are you under the impression that you have to transfer your DNS and domain registration over to Microsoft? You don't.

You're right to be sceptical of 'free' domains, they're only free if you stick with that company. Chances are you won't be able to take that domain elsewhere because legally you're not the owner.

Phrozenpenguin · 24 Aug 2023 at 12:47

Caged said:
Fastmail is $5/user/month for 30GB storage, Exchange Online is £3.30/user/month for 50GB, I'm not seeing the large cost discrepancy.

You are right - there isn't. But as previously mentioned, if I am spending that money I would rather do Fastmail than Microsoft, which is entirely personal choice.

the-evaluator said:
What positive situation? You'll be in the EXACT same position with regards to DNS hosting, web hosting, choice of domain registrar and so on if you're using Microsoft, Fastmail or A. N. Other company to host your email. Exactly the same.

I buy my domains through NameCheap, host DNS myself and use Exchange Online for email. I've got no less a positive position than you.

Are you under the impression that you have to transfer your DNS and domain registration over to Microsoft? You don't.

You're right to be sceptical of 'free' domains, they're only free if you stick with that company. Chances are you won't be able to take that domain elsewhere because legally you're not the owner.

No not under that impression, was referring to your last sentence, in that if my domain was a "free" one then I might be stuck when trying to move.

ChrisD. · 24 Aug 2023 at 14:33

Phrozenpenguin said:
I am also a Mac user, so exploring the iCloud+ email option, given I already pay for iCloud+.

I use iCloud+. It’s okay, but you will have issues getting your mail in anything else but Apple mail. I’ve tried outlook with the app specific password with all combinations of options and I just can’t get it to work. It also looks like you can only register 3 email accounts per iCloud used.

Phrozenpenguin · 28 Aug 2023 at 02:00

ChrisD. said:
I use iCloud+. It’s okay, but you will have issues getting your mail in anything else but Apple mail. I’ve tried outlook with the app specific password with all combinations of options and I just can’t get it to work. It also looks like you can only register 3 email accounts per iCloud used.

Thanks. Using AppleMail is OK, and 3 email accounts is OK. I am not sure how it interacts with iCloud family at the moment, and had some issues with trying an email address that was already an iCloud account.
But I've got one (other) domain working, and will explore more after tso is dead.

ChrisD. · 28 Aug 2023 at 06:44

Phrozenpenguin said:
Thanks. Using AppleMail is OK, and 3 email accounts is OK. I am not sure how it interacts with iCloud family at the moment, and had some issues with trying an email address that was already an iCloud account.
But I've got one (other) domain working, and will explore more after tso is dead.

Mine is working fine across family.

uvarvu · 28 Aug 2023 at 11:40

Hostpresto put their prices up so I moved to AWS. It was very easy to configure iCloud mail on the account and the service overall is cheap! My wife absolutely detests the thought of an uvarvu.com email address though

The $15.60 on the 6th August is the domain transfer fee and the refund is from the first attempt failing as I forgot to unlock it at my previous provider.

spile · 29 Aug 2023 at 07:26

I have used HostingUk for many years including when they used to be United Hosting.

Sin_Chase · 29 Aug 2023 at 18:26

I dumped my TSOHOST package and went onto Google Workspace for email hosting. The infrequent media hosting I need can be accomplished by Google Drive and Public Shares.