Labs

AOL's Java-based interface looks clean and efficient. Links to your email folders and other tools sit on the left of the screen, and your inbox is in the centre. Where most other services reserve the right side of the screen for adverts, AOL uses this space to run AOL Instant Messenger, a to-do list, People and Events. The last two are pared-down versions of the main Contacts and Organizer tools accessible through

Unfortunately, the interface isn't very responsive. There's a lag between what your mouse does and what happens onscreen, and the lack of an HTML version means that those with slower computers or internet connections might want to steer clear.

Like Yahoo! and Hotmail, AOL inserts a small advert for AOL at the bottom of outgoing messages, which can look unprofessional if you use the service for business email. It doesn't offer a premium service, either, so you're stuck with the ad. AOL Mail does support IMAP, however, so you can access your email through a client such as Outlook or Thunderbird.

AOL provides unlimited storage, although there's no dedicated file or photo storage. You also have to remember to transfer messages that you want to keep to a special folder, as any read emails left in your inbox are usually deleted automatically, although this does depend on your settings.