Windows Live Hotmail, formerly known as Hotmail is a free and one of the most popular internet-based E-mail service provided by MSN (Microsoft), that allows users up to 5GB of storage space. It was founded by Jack Smith and Sabeer Bhatia and was launched in 1996. Later it was acquired by microsft in 1997.It is accessible anywhere in the world from a Web browser or via Outlook or Outlook Express.The current version was officially released on May 7, 2007, and roll-out to all existing users was completed in October 2007.
Rediffmail is also a web based e-mail service. It offers unlimited free storage space [1]. Rediff recently launched an AJAX based mail interface, similar to Yahoo that gives the web-based service a more desktop software like feel[2]. Rediff Mail also allows users to send and receive mails in many Indian languages.
Comparison chart
 | Hotmail | Rediffmail |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | Microsoft Corp. | Rediff.com |
| Storage space | 5 GB | Unlimited |
| Cost | Free (basic version), $19.95 yearly (Plus) | Free (basic version), INR 499 yearly (Plus) |
| Attachment size allowed | 10 MB (basic version, free); 20 MB (premium version) | 10 MB (basic version, free); 20 MB (premium version) |
| Languages supported | 35 | 20 |
| IMAP support | No | No |
| POP3 support | Offers POP to Hotmail Plus users only. Also offers DeltaSync to sync e-mail and contacts (and calendar for Hotmail Plus users) with Outlook or Windows Live Mail. | Yes (premium version) |
| Account de-activated if not logged in | Yes (if basic version), after 2 months | Yes |
| Website | http://hotmail.live.com | http://www.rediff.com |
| Message view | Regular view | Regular view |
| Sort feature | Available (by Sender, Date etc.) | Available (by Sender, Date etc.) |
| Folders feature | Available | Available |
| Labels feature | Not available | Not available |
| Keyboard shortcuts | Not available | No |
| Automatic forwarding | Forwarding to other Windows Live Hotmail accounts is free for all users. Premium/paid accounts can forward to any other third party email accounts. | No |
| E-mail client access | Legacy, Hotmail Plus, Outlook Live, and MSN Premium members only. All account types can use the Windows Live Mail client. | Yes (premium members) |
| Integration with IM service | Windows Live Messenger | Rediff Bol |
| Domain name customization | Yes. Through Windows Live Custom Domains | Yes |
| Interface script technique | HTML/JavaScript/ CSS/Ajax | HTML/JavaScript/ CSS/Ajax |
| Virus scanning | Yes (Trend Micro) | Yes |
| Custom "From:" address | Yes | Yes |
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