Whether the server itself runs nonfree software is a different issue. Nonfree software running on the server infringes the freedom of the server operator, but not yours; therefore, it is a secondary issue. We note here that some server operators say they run exclusively free software; you might choose one of them to reward their support for the community.

There are other major issues about email and respect for your freedom -- privacy, for instance -- but we don't know how to evaluate a service on those criteria.

Some of these services are gratis, but that's a separate issue. Recall that "free software" refers to freedom, not price.

• Gmail: You can sign in and use Gmail without non-free Javascript, but you have to make the account in a special way, through https://accounts.google.com/NewAccount. This is an old sign-up form; the currently recommended sign-up form is no good, since it requires nonfree Javascript code.
• Mail.ru: Sign up, sign in, and webmail all work smoothly.
• Fastmail: Sign up, sign in, and webmail all work smoothly. This is a paid service with a 60-day free trial.
• Mailoo: Explicitly states it runs on free software. Currently (June 2013) under maintenance, no new accounts up and running again.
• OpenMailBox: Runs explicitly on free software. Service started in June 2013.
• Some services will let you sign up and sign in without non-free Javascript, and use IMAP/POP3 from a desktop program, but have broken webmail:
  -Vfemail.net
  -Safe-mail.net
  -Shortmail.com
  

This page is maintained by Trevor Vartanoff.