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 Mozilla Thunderbird is a free open source POP and IMAP email client developed by Mozilla.org, the same folks who brought you Firefox. Feature-wise it sits somewhere between Outlook Express and Outlook, which means that it offers an upgrade to Express users and a downgrade to those who use the more advanced PIM features of Outlook. Additional features can be added through free extensions. Notable among these is Webmail, an extension that allows POP3 access to webmail services operated by Yahoo, Hotmail, Lycos, MailDotCom, Gmail and Libero. Thunderbird email files can be indexed by the Google, Yahoo! and Copernic desktop search programs.
Outlook Express users should seriously consider switching. You’ll be rewarded with a more advanced product with these features:
On top of that, the product is more secure than Outlook Express and, unlike the latter, is still being actively developed. Switching is made easier by the fact that Thunderbird looks and works similar to Outlook Express. Tools within Thunderbird also allow you to easily import your Outlook Express account settings and stored email. If you need assistance, there is an excellent guide from Mozilla available for download in the "Product Specifications" section below.
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2.0.14 
Unrestricted Freeware 
Windows 98-Vista, Mac OS-X, Various Linux Distros
Portable version available
This software category is maintained by volunteer editor Joe Bennett. Registered site visitors can contact Joe by clicking here.
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I tried Foxmail yesterday and really liked it except for one weird issue. When set to auto start with Windows (XP Pro SP3) I could not shutdown the system at the end of a session. Items on the taskbar disappeared until reaching Foxmail then freeze. The only way around was to switch the power off. Has anyone else encountered this with Foxmail?
What about this one? http://www.incredimail.com/english/home.aspx (Incredimail) - though it may seems like it'll be resource heavy - not sure.
It is - can also be very slow to load - Sometimes it hangs around for a few minutes before you are able to view email.
Took ages to delete stuff as well
I tried Windows Live Mail but it's very cumbersome especially if you want to check multiple accounts as having to empty each account indivually detracts from it's usefulness
What about Postbox? The current beta version is free though it may not be free when it comes out of beta. emailaya is also a good choice.
I've looked at Postbox and for all intents and purposes, I see absolutely no difference between it and Thunderbird. The installation is the same (It even has the same exact phrasing for each step in the installation process). The menus are layed out exactly the same. So really I don't see much point in recommending it when I already recommend Thunderbird.
Just tried Windows Live Mail last night. Switching from Outlook Express which I like, but Microsoft suggested I switch or else, as they are replacing OE.
Works pretty well. Similar to OE. Install was easy. Seems a lot faster to download the mail.
Only problem is that in the address book (called contacts)everyone is listed by their nicknames. And these aren't nicknames that I choose, but rather the first part of the email address. For instance, if your name is Bob Johnson and your email is Frodo123@hotmail you are listed as Frodo123.
After much fooling around I was able to change it in the address book, but when composing an email and clicking on the "to" I still had the same problem. The only solution I found was to go through each email address and delete the nickname. As I have over 600 contacts it is a real pain.
I'm fed up with Windows Live Mail after 5 minutes - everything being sent to junk - Multiple accounts with it an absolute nightmare - Think I'll be uninstalling ASAP
Well I downloaded numerous email clients that sounded good and after trying them out in search of a new email client I can't help but to say I believe that Dreammail is the best option, I've downloaded some things that quite honestly probably shouldn't have seen the light of day for email clients... To save the users trouble I'm not going to list the vast selection of clients I've tried because during alot of my install/uninstall ordeal I had avast popup with trojans at times... So I'll keep ya safe
Check out DreamMail:
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/E-mail/E-mail-Clients/DreamMail.sh...
- Shane -
Why there is no Windows Live Mail? It's not part of any MS OS and it's free. The latest version is 14.0.8064.0206. It's on par with Thunderbird, and has some things which are out of Thunderbird like calendar.
And no Zimbra Desktop? It targets on Outlook. The latest version is 1.0.1537.
Several of the "Best Free..." articles here leave out MS products, even (as you say) optional ones! I think some people here just refuse to rate MS products, which sucks for us!
That certainly isn't our policy, but you have to accept that all our Editors are unpaid volunteers and only have limited time to devote to this site.
You might think of Registering; which would allow you to easily write about MS products (& any others) so we can all benefit from your rating.
I have used many clients Outlook, Outlook express, foxmail, thunderbird, Evolution in linux and windows, Eudora and few others but overall i liked three email clients Outlook express, thunderbird and Foxmail for their ease of use and features but one thing i am missing in foxmail is imap support.....
__________________________
ceveni
www.ceveni.com
Comodo SecureEmail is not, strictly speaking, another email client, it's rather an additional layer of security. "Comodo SecureEmail may not operate correctly with the following software: Panda Antivirus; Avira AntiVir Premium; CA Internet Security Suite; PC Tools Antivirus; Kaspersky Internet Security 2009; ArcaVir 2008" (FAQ).
lloonn
Important question to answer here - How does Windows Live Mail compare?
So I decided to do my own short investigation and I installed:
FoxMail
DreamMail
KooMail
and ya know what I found ? I found the following info:
All 3 progs are built by the same main company they just have different sub companies under each.
Although DreamMail & KooMail are my two fav's outta the 3 KooMail uses roughly 10mb while idle (and minimized to system tray) where as DreamMail only uses 1mb.
So even though I have as well as one other person have been pushing for KooMail to be posted on this list I really think that DreamMail needs to be instead I also found the problem with KooMail as at times it really really dislikes opening links in browsers as it comes up with that task switcher popup that windows has.
So Joe I think that DreamMail should be posted up there instead of KooMail and keep FoxMail up there too as I think that ya should show 4 email clients as DreamMail (much similar to Koo) has all built in:
Back Up
RSS
Address Book
Rather easy setup of gmail addys
Plus it's still being updated.
Those are my thoughts even though it maybe that Dream may not make it to the list I will always strongly recommend it since I first came across it I have tried one or two others to see what they're like but I always go back to dream, so if it doesn't make it I'll still stand by Joe's choosing for what he feels is the best free email client (even though I may not use any of'em)
- Shane -
Shane,
Thanks for you input. I'm going to be doing an update to this category this weekend and will make a final decision on these products at that time.
Joe
Has anybody tried Simple Mail?
It's an add-on for Firefox
Works really well
Very simple and aesthetically pleasing too
Supports pop and smtp
Foxmail is the best
Koomail is great
I have no idea why the editor won't add it... I would love to hear the reasonings behind it as I could no doubt make him see why it SHOULD and DESERVES to be up on this list.
I am currently checking out Koomail as we speak. I had a bit of a snag on my laptop that forced me to do a reinstall of the OS, so I am getting everything back the way I had it. I will make a decision on Koomail in the next week or so.
I'll be honest, I'm not saying nothing bad about KooMail but I have hit one or two snags in the prog but it still gets updated rather frequently so I'm sure it's just a matter of time before things get fixed... As with it being created by a Oriental company it's hard to send in requests since I don't know how well they speak english.
I'm downloading the latest version 5.5 direct from there site:
http://KooMail.com
I know it's not a perfect email prog but with how little there are out there I feel it should be mentioned sure I'd love to see DreamMail up there but DreamMail hasn't been updated in a while as it's still on Ver 4.5.1.0
Both have many tremendous features and I'd like to see your thoughts on KooMail Joe. Just to see what all you base the product on and all...
If you'd rather just email me your thoughts lemme know I'll some how give ya my email...
- Shane -
I have been using Postbox mail client, it is easier than thunderbird
Eudora:
Several are asking, and I too still use it (7.1 ... free). I think the company quit the business in 10/06 and handed off to the open source community. They had to start over from scratch? There is a beta version, but it seems little has happened in over 2 years. I am confused about the name (Eudora 8 and/or Penelope) and the affiliation with Thunderbird. I have used Eudora since 1995, so it is difficult to evaluate the myriad email clients. Have any other long-time Eudora users switched from 7.1 to something else that will work well for a long time to come?
I have alot of experience with Foxmail and Dreammail.
Dreammail had some improved features versus Foxmail (better search, marking messages), thats why I added.
But Dreammail now is hardly developed, and there is a big problem with UTF character codes crippling the foreign characters (like for me the German äöü) under certain but not all conditions.
Just found out Dreammail has been updated...not bad either
Hey Y'all;
I know before I mentioned "KooMail" and one guy called it "PooMail" cause it lost his email... but they recently came out with an update (well they came out with more than one since I last posted about it) and I gotta tell ya, I think that the orientals know email progs, this thing runs as nicely as DreamMail (which is highly regarded by me) and quite honestly if you look at the look of it, it sure as hell looks like it's the same code and all... you can backup your email and all with KooMail (just like DreamMail) if you like Dreammail then give Koomail a chance or a second chance... Its very light on resources and it's nice to use...
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/E-mail/E-mail-Clients/KooMail.shtm...
Plus it's always being updated... check it out, post some comments... perhaps this should take the spot of FoxMail. (hint hint Joe ;) ) I know ya do a wonderful job and all but I'd like to see KooMail up.
*** Just Found Out ***
You can also use KooMail with yahoo email too... I also checked with a hotmail account and it's possible to use it with hotmail too.... It seems like it's compatible with everything so I think it should be qualified enough to be posted as a top freeware.
- Shane -
Thanks!
I've tried KooMail, and I really like it.
Hey Shane.
Thanks for the suggestion. I will take a look at it.
Well I'm in the market for a new email client, I'm not sure what to use anymore as I feel like so many can't be trusted as I currently use DreamMail however I have used ThunderBird in the past and once or twice I've used things based on Thunderbird I'm not sure what else to try as I've also done Zimbra which got me no where but frustrated and having my memory get sucked up, I also tried Live Mail too which I found I couldn't back it up.
I think I maybe looking into something to the affect of: IncrediMail
Sure many say "adware" is mixed in with it but at this point in time with something that so many people relied on by stating that everyone should use a firewall such as "comodo" and now things are up in the air about it.
I really don't know what to trust so I'm going with my own thoughts and findings.
Incredimail is excellent as long as you don't mind it sending ads in your emails. Ignore what you said about adware, there is no problem with this.
I've been using it for about 5 years and it's the only one that I've found that automatically sets up your email settings for you, all you have to do is put in the address and password. It works well. Unfortunately have been unable to use it recently for some reason. I think it's down to XP updates that have screwed it up, among other programmes. Wish I could get my modem to work with kubuntu.
Any thoughts about Yahoo's Zimbra Desktop.. it just came out of Beta, although a larger download (45mb) it now supports gmail,yahoo,hotmail,aol email accounts. Amongst other things:
http://www.zimbra.com/products/desktop.html
I haven't installed it as of yet but I do have it downloaded.
- Shane -
http://4Einc.vze.com
Windows Live Mail? I know, I know.. it comes from the evil place starting with M... But it's the best free email client out there. What shall we do!?
Live mail is pretty good. I have been using it. The only thing I am complaining is that it doesn't support the exchange mail account that my company mail is using.
For those who have a basic Yahoo email account (i.e. no POP access) I suggest that they try using the "pop.mail.yahoo.co.uk" server from their normal email program.
Someone mentioned PoP peeper in this thread. I have ised PoP peeper for a few years and I am amazed by its simplicity and ease of use. It is easy to set up and will handle almost all POP and IMAP accounts. Most of all it can receive and send emails effortlessly. It even alert you when there are new emails in your box. Also, you could delete unwanted mails before it get to you email accounts in-boxes. And it's free.
Dare I suggest it, but Windows Live Mail isn't that bad.. good enough for the average user.
Then consider me an average user. I have been using it for a few months; new construction is on the way; "TECH - "tech" and more "TECHNOLOGY". I just love it! It might end up being better than Incredimail - the one I really enjoy.
TTFN :)
You absolutely MUST check out Dreammail. it's SO lightweight and well featured including email and rss, html, tagging (called flagging here, but with custom names and color coding), system tray, notifications, blacklisting, stationary, etc and runs at about 5MB! mozilla is great but it was too slow and clunky for my preference. Dreammail is like blowing around a feather. I looked for a lonng time (went thru foxmail, mulberry, eudora lite, etc ugh)to find a good and lightweight email client and am so glad i finally found dreammail. really um, gizmo, if you check it out I PROMISE you'll put it high on your list.
(no i dont work for em)
the google translated page (original is in chinese)
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=zh-CN&u=http://www.dreamm...
We used to have DreamMail listed here, but it was dropped because they no longer supported a version in English. DreamMail's English web site (along with their English version download) had gone dead about 6 months ago or so.
I know that sounds like some kind of ad, it's just rare that i find a software that im TRULY satisfied with. its just perfect! i loved thunderbird for everything it does (especially RSS) but it was too heavy for me, 50MB to check a dumb email?. so i searched a long time to find a thunderbird replacement and i really really did! (at 5MB RAM use!)
I also think that you guys should add DreamMail onto the list, I say that for two reasons:
1) it's clear to me that it may not be updated much anymore however I've recently switchd to Thunderbird and quite honestly I'm very tempted at changing back as I find a few little things that I dislike about it.
2) Currently there is a prog called MozBackup which does support Thunderbird however in my first attempt at backing up both Thunderbird & Firefox my thunderbird backup failed and I never knew this until after I formatted my computer which made me loose various emails and email addys.
As much as thunderbird is impressive at the sametime it's not, it's more of a pain than anything as I think that DreamMail needs to be added as a 4th option.
Since we all know there aren't many email clients out there but a good one is hard to find so why not include DreamMail... besides you want to have FoxMail added which in my opinion DreamMail can knock FoxMail off the list real quick.
- Shane -
http://4Einc.co.cc
I agree, i consider foxmail and dreammail like the Olsen twins, both small, similar features, same nationality (of course), but one is just definitely hotter than the other... Sooo she speaks chinese, so what? Talking isn't what Olsen twins are for anyway! Similarly, dreammail's site is written in chinese, but it's still a hot prog!
All kidding aside, i agree with the above point, with so few good ones, how can a great one be left out. it would've saved me months of headaches and frustration looking for a good email app had i seen it on here first :(
maybe use a disclaimer on the dreammail entry?
What about Postbox? It's still beta, but I think it already works great...
http://www.postbox-inc.com/
thanks! i think it is good for average user. i will try it.
I'm keeping an eye on Postbox. It looks very interesting indeed, but my tests of the product showed that it still needs some work. It wasn't terribly stable on my pc when I ran it and the installation and functionality of the program looked almost exactly like that of Thunderbird. Now, I know that the developers of Thunderbird are on working on Postbox, but this looked more to me like a blatant rip off of code rather than a work inspired by another program.
I will continue to keep an eye on it.
I've been using Postbox off and on since it came out in beta....it was pretty buggy, but the latest release (1.0b11) performed much better on my machine.
If it keeps up, I'll probably replace Thunderbird with it.
I really like the archiving, tagging, and pinning features, but other than that joe, I have to agree its a lot like Thunderbird. Thunderbird with added features. = )
I copied the Postbox profile and then uninstalled/reinstalled and replaced the default profile folder. It worked fine. I do the same thing in Thunderbird and also use Mozbackup.
Well, one could say that it makes Thunderbird even a lot better ;-)(except for the incompatibility to add-ons). The two things I like the most are the tab-feature and the clear structure. I think the final version will be a good possibility for people who have problems with Thunderbird to switch. In my case TB always worked incredibly slow, regardless of my efforts to keep it clean of trash-mails and compacting the folders regularly. Switching from Thunderbird to Postbox was quite easy due to the similarity.
Try Koma mail.
http://www.koma-code.de/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5&Item...
It can run portable on a USB drive, handle multiple accounts. Can handle IMAP and POP3.
Has basic RSS reader and PIM functions.
Basic compared to Thunderbird but I find it much lighter on resources.
Win98/2K/XP/vista
Try Mulberry Mail!