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Best Free Email Client
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In a Hurry?
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 Go straight to the Quick Selection Guide |
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Introduction
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With so many clients now in the cloud, rather than on the desktop, email clients have certainly taken a turn over the past few years. So, to differentiate themselves, the desktop clients have become more advanced and offer more and more features to keep customers interested. For most users finding a good email client can mean the difference between getting on with your work or hitting your head against a desk in frustration. Here's a list of the best email clients reviewed and compiled to save you from heart/headache. For ease of use I've split the review into two different categories, desktop and web-based. |
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Discussion
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Mozilla Thunderbird
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 Quick Selection Guide section below. Opera (M2 Mail Client)
DreamMail
The main features are:
Another good feature is the option to create separate accounts for different users, this enables them to have their own email accounts in their profile and the ability to password protect it. Set up is fairly straightforward, you need to copy any POP or IMAP settings across, but this isn't a major problem. Adding web mail accounts is as easy as inputting your web mail address, plus your username and password. The only downside is that it lacks the true portability of a web-based email client, but if that's not something you're worried about then this would be a good option. Foxmail
IncrediMail
The user interface is well polished with basic animations that pop up when you recieve a new email or if you delete one. This is a nice touch but can get in the way, it can however be disabled. Incredimail supports Webmail accounts for GMail, Yahoo, AOL and Windows Live Hotmail.
However, you are required to select the tool-bar integration and have Incredimail as your default search engine before you can proceed. As a basic email client that can handle all of the main accounts, this is a very easy to set up and capable program, but it's limited by the need to upgrade for other main features. eM ClienteM Client is a popular client for Windows (XP - 7) that supports all popular webmails as well as POP3 and IMAP. Upon downloading you get a 30 day free trial, which grants you all the features, but the free license constricts you to only 2 email addresses per user. The user interface for eM Client is certainly very swish (I haven't said that in a while...), and certainly looks and feels premium when using. There are no ads, or gimicks, just a clean interface, not dissimilar to Outlook 2003. Intial setup is very easy, allowing you to import your accounts and settings from the clients already installed on your computer; and even manual setup was very easy, a nice interface to guide you through. eM Client is certainly one of the better looking clients availible for Windows however, the free version is held back by the account restriction to only two email addresses. |
Gmail
Let's get this one done first! Gmail, arguably the most popular webmail client at the moment, intergrating deeply into the Google ecosystem and offering more features than it ever has before. On that note, features wise, it has a lot that you would expect such as:
- works with both POP and IMAP
- arrange emails into folders by adding 'Labels'
- filters
- contacts and tasks can be added and amended.
You'll find you'll get a lot more out of Gmail if you use other Google products. For example, if you use Google+ (which, realistically, you don't, but hypothetically...) you can chat right in the Gmail window, you can also view your circles on the right hand sidebar. Another great feature is Google Labs which is a series of add-ons that you can use to customise your Gmail; it's a very nice feature for more advanced users and it's great to see this amount of customization in a webmail client.
Although Gmail is free, there are ads displayed at the top of the list of emails which is fairly unobtrusive, but can make things look a bit cluttered and at first for me when I tested it, a little confusing as I wasn't expecting it.
You get 10GB of space for free, but if you need more (again, realistically, you won't), Google offer monthly payment plans to get you more space, which can go up to 16TB.
Gmail is at its peak, but there are downsides, the adverts while discrete can annoy some users and the Google+ intergration can seem annoying if you don't use it; however, all that put aside, it's certainly a stylistic, elegant email client and offers a great number of features.
Outlook (The new Hotmail)
Microsoft's really gone all out with it's new metro Modern UI! It's taking all their products by storm, and Hotmail's next on the list. The new user interface is very simple, with the layout of Hotmail remaining largely intact, but with better visuals that newcomers should find more appealing. Setup is fairly simple (or if you have a Microsoft account already, non-existant), like Gmail it provides options to get your old emails forwarded to one email address or access them directly through POP3 support (no IMAP support, I'm afraid).
Some nice features include: being able to delete all emails by a certain sender, or even choosing how many emails from that sender to keep before automatically deleting old ones; automated replies for when you're away from your computer; as well as filters and folder; and all that jazz. Also, being able to import up to 4 POP3 accounts should keep most users satisfied. The built-in contact list 'People' is very modern, as is the calendar, but both put style over fuctionality as it can sometimes be difficult to access the advanced options.
On the down side, if you're not a fan of the UI, it is everywhere and while for the time being you can swap back to Hotmail view, I wouldn't expect that to stick around. Another downside is no IMAP support, but overall Outlook offers a better, cleaner refresh of Hotmail.
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Related Products and Links
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Thunderbird Extensions: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird
Webmail Plugin: http://webmail.mozdev.org/index.html
Guide for Migrating from Outlook to Thunderbird: http://opensourcearticles.com/introduction_to_thunderbird
Opera language files can be downloaded here: http://www.opera.com/download/languagefiles/
The vendors website has now acquired a poor WOT (Web Of Trust) rating. We have no reports of issues with the product itself which remains certified by the major download sites. This situation is currently under review.
The FoxMail English FAQ can be foundhere: http://www.hazeleger.net/psjs_faqs/index.html
Note: If after installing, the program comes up in Chinese, all you have to do is delete the file chinese.lgb in the installation folder.
Developer's website is in Chinese.
Gmail Blog http://gmailblog.blogspot.com
Help and Support http://mail.google.com/support/
Supports the following browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox 3.5+, Internet Explorer 7.0+, Safari 3.0+ (Only Google Chrome supports Desktop Notifications)
Help Centre www.incredimail.com/english/help/support.aspx
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Editor
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This software category is in need of an editor. If you would like to give something back to the freeware community by taking it over, check out this page for more details. You can then contact us from that page or by clicking here |
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Tags
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email client, thunderbird, webmail, outlook, email manager, gmail, hotmail, yahoo mail, contacts |
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Comments
Regarding using Hotmail/Outlook.com, I believe all of your data will be deleted if you don't use your account every six or twelve months (or something like that). I've personally experienced this, and it's a pity when you lose years worth of data.
As far as I understand, Google doesn't have this restriction.
Kind of new to site like to become member and like to learn
Abt email editor.
Thunderbird provides no privacy for your mailboxes. Anyone with access to your computer can open Thunderbird and read all your emails. There is an add on to password your Thunderbird profile, but it is easily circumvented.
My personal preference is back with Opera Mail. I tried Opera in the latest version this month, and I have to say I am impressed; it offers fast / seamless IMAP and is better than anything I have tried past or present.
Some background... I have tried all of the above, and some not listed here (Zimbra amongst others) - and have (unfortunately) always ended up using the web based offerings of Google and Microsoft and for a long period have done so; but recently they "improved" their offerings to be so "feature rich" that they are too slow to load and use, and now have strange quirks in their UI that cause many a frustration.
And then we get to Thunderbird; for me I find it surprising that this is at the top of any review list - large footprint, slow / cumbersome to use / setup and frequently unreliable. An example, I contracted at a business in recent years where it was used as the primary for the email system; where it did a fantastic job of frequent corruption of its own email database and was almost impossible to restore. Following many wasted hours and lost emails, Thunderbird was dropped and the Linux equivalent of Outlook (Evolution) put in place with much improved reliability.
I have personally tried and re-tried Thunderbird on occasion over the last 4 or 5 years; it keeps coming on top of reviews so I keep hoping it has made the improvements that make it worthy of such a spot; but the end result for me is always the same - I un-install it.
I would advise, to try the following:
- Opera Mail (latest version is very fast, small, reliable and seamlessly integrates with the what is likely the fastest Windows browser available)
- Dream Mail (also very fast, small and reliable; but it doesn't have IMAP)
- Evolution (has everything including Exchange support - but is only a Linux client; its worth running a Linux VM just to use it and get rid of Outlook - it really is very good)
In my experience, too many of the clients are unreliable / slow or are trying to be "clever" when all most users really want is simple, reliable and fast email.
Evolution is available for Windows but I never found it stable enough to use.
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/E-mail/E-mail-Clients/Evolution-fo...
Even on Linux I had some severe issues such as a random desire to re-download mail that was already in one of my inboxes, and it would never auto connect to GMX if I had a torrent running.
Thunderbird on the other hand has been fine on all my systems and I use it for both Linux and Windows. As with all data I keep it backed up and on the odd occasion when something does go astray (sometimes after an upgrade) I can always restore.
eM Client is a better Evolution alternative for Windows (but limited accounts in free version) although no doubt some will complain that it's heavy. MC - Site Manager.
http://www.emclient.com/
Thunderbird Users who would like to connect to MS Exchange based accounts may want to try the ExQuilla extension. I (personally) think this extension reduced the gap between Thunderbird & M$ Outlook by miles!
Please note that ExQuilla is beta software and still under development. You can check out the issues being experienced by users here. MC - Site Manager.
http://mesquilla.com/2012/01/31/exquilla-microsoft-exchange-server-for-t...
There is new free e-mail client on market: Inky
Here is the link:
http://inky.com/
I am going to use it for now and we'll see if it is good. Of course it is highly recommended to try it.
Best regards
OK - I've had another day or so to review IncrediMail. I have to admit that it's not incredible. I'll give this serious consideration in my upcoming review.
I have several web browsers; both for different uses and for evaluation. Following full uninstall I noticed that "MyStart" (placed by IncrediMail) was the default start page for every browser. After doing a registry scan I found at least 200 IncrediMail entries; some direct IncrediMail and some due to start page and animations. It took quite some time to wipe everything clean.
I do not advise the uninitiated to edit the Windows registry! Do the best you can with uninstall programs (I won't suggest any not reviewed here). Then go into each web browser and reset your start page as you desire.
As I stated before, freeware developers often do seek ways to be compensated for their work. However, IncrediMail, in my opinion, has crossed the line of decorum for freeware developers.
If you are looking for simplicity in an email program, I suggest starting with webmail. While I prefer a software client, webmail does offer the basics of sending, receiving and searching. In most cases you can port this over to a client and use the two interchangeably until mastery of the client is achieved.
Cannot restrain myself here - Incredimail has got to be the worst thing you can inflict upon a user.
User friendly - yep - as long as you let them suck your computer resources and pay their price for the upgrade.
DON'T try to get rid of it - there are pages and pages of troubleshooting advice by professional support people who have spent hours trying to save their customer from the clutches of this disaster posing as an email program.
1) It demands to be your default search engine
2) Your computer speed will drop like rock when it infiltrates your system
3) There is no export function for emails or contacts - once they have you you will have to pay (for a 3rd party solution) to get your email out of their system.
DON'T FALL INTO THE CLUTCHES OF THIS MONSTER !
I will continue to work with and review this application.
In the mean time, I suggest that your wife use Outlook Express (if available), Thunderbird or Eudora. Simplicity doesn't always equal satisfaction and using the basics of an application often leads to a better use and understanding of that application. Start with accepting and responding to email, the rest will come.
While all of this has long since become mainstream, the beauty of computing is that we're all still exploring new and better ways. I do appreciate your feedback and will continue to look at all issues.
I installed the IncrediMail freeware client and played with it a bit. IncrediMail probably would not be my first choice for an email client (I must review and consider all first) but I don't know that it is a "monster" either.
To begin with, when installing any software (particularly freeware)you must pay attention to all windows that pop up. IncrediMail installation does start with a window that has 3 opt-out boxes to de-select optional installations. In addition, there is an opt-in box in the same window offering a choice to allow easy reversion back to previous settings (homepage, toolbars, etc.).
Many freeware products come bundled with other installations. Yes, this is commercial and, in some cases, may be intrusive. But this is how many developers pay for the free services that we receive. It's a fact of online (or all human life) now.
ALWAYS pay attention to all windows that show during software installation. In almost all cases, even freeware suppliers will warn you - or give you opt-outs - of additional software that they want to include in the installation. Windows during installation show for a reason. Do not simply click "next," "next," "next." If you do not read the full text, at least get a sense of what the window is trying to tell you.
Now, for your problem - I'm not sure how far to go in my explanation for removal of the software. I suppose that I should make a simple statement and then ask you to contact me by clicking my username above for further details and screen shots if details are needed.
If using MS Windows, go to your Control Panel and then add/remove programs. You will find both IncrediMail Toolbar and IncrediMail programs for removal. Click "remove" on both of those options and follow instructions.
[My system froze when I did the toolbar removal - I had already removed it via FireFox Add-ons - but a close and restart of add/remove fixed this]
[Removing IncrediMail itself actually brought up a browser page showing how to remove the toolbar.]
As time goes on, freeware developers are being held to account for their software (which is amazing since their free offerings keep growing) and things become safer and safer. Most developers have only good intentions. However, those surfing the web and, in particular, those choosing to download and install freeware, must be on guard.
You do not need to be a computer expert to install and use freeware. You should, however, read all information that the freeware developers of the programs you install offer you. It is also advisable to become familiar with the Windows Registry (if MS Windows is being used) and ways to clean, alter and protect the registry. Generally speaking, there is no such thing as software that you cannot get rid of.
(If not using MS Windows I must find other experts to handle this issue)
Sorry for the delay in responding to this. Holidays...
The last review was done by my predecessor. I haven't fully caught up yet. However, despite your warning, I will download and explore this software then report back. -- Rick
I recognize that in the perfect world everyone would read every line of text in "terms and conditions" as well as every checkbox presented during the install. Unfortunately not all folks do so and even those who do get overwhelmed by some programs query after query process, especially when they may have no idea about the system performance impact of agreeing to each question. Who would expect an email program to have such a profound affect on a home PC. Certainly if you review the responses and posting on the web about this program you can see a consistent thread of issues regarding performance.
As to the removal process -again after doing a quick check to see if others had issues with the programs performance impact I realized that the removal process included with incredimail apparently fails often and in ugly ways. One of these is the failure to remove registry entries of which reports indicate total at least 80. Registry editing should ALWAYS be a last resort solution and certainly not a common issue with a program that is a 'recommended' solution. I would disagree that the average PC user should be proficient in registry maintenance.
My whole point is that an >good< email program should not leave your system dogged down, and your email information locked up so that you cannot extract it without paying what amounts to a ransom to free your information. Those two issues alone warrant a strong statement of caution to prospective users.
My wife is NOT a PC fanatic and likes to keep things simple THAT was the drawing card of the original incredimail program we installed. While I have no problem getting into the nuts and bolts of the registry, I find that any program that requires such talent at any point, is not one deserving of consideration for the average user. To further complicate matters for us and other users we were informed that we HAD to update the program to version 2.0 and nothing presented by the update information from the software producers indicated that we should have expected the program to even further degrade system performance. I did find it offensive and only grudgingly consented to their > REQUIREMENT < to user an add-on piece of their software in IE. That amounts to nothing less than strong-arm tactics. There is no logical reason that an EMail program should require use of an add-on program to your web browser. THAT again is not the hallmark warranting a positive recommendation for the program.
Before I landed on this site I had already read enough reviews on the program to let me know that I have a problem ahead of me - the sure and clean removal of this program is not a given especially when I read multiple reports of failed removal actions. Finally, any program that handcuffs users by locking up their personal information is at best of dubious value. Most good and well regarded programs support data export to other systems simply as a recognition that data stored in that program might need to be cross-flowed to other software for review of the data. Cut and paste, resending emails and the other workarounds forced on Incredimail users is not the sort action that would or should be deemed a workable solution.
Incredimail is NOT a program that I would recommend to anyone and I hope you will truly reconsider the fact that most PC users don't like and shouldn't have to be intently questioning every single step of an install program as to it's possible system impact. We should be well beyond that in this day and time. Programs like incredimail need to either change or be dumped by users and panned by reviewers. My suggestion to you would be to consider not just the usability of the software but the producers past track-record and the impacts down the road when the day comes that a user wishes to change out a software program. Email software is one common PC user functionality that should never result in data being locked up or requiring extensive third party software or trickery to free my data. Just because a program presents a pretty user-friendly face is not sufficient reason to recommend it. As tech support experts and/or software critics folks depend on you and others to spill the beans about the real issues users will face down the road. My apologies for being so wordy. The frustration factor alone is enough to merit a thumbs down which is pretty much what it has received from most users (2.5 stars at best on a 5 star rating system) in a number of places I searched for information on my problem with the software.
Is AOL WEB MAIL GOOD?
GMAIL: huge problem with the fact it has no folders but "conversations."
Let's say you send a message to multiple addresses and when they answer you want to have individual conversations: it is incredibly complicate. Why? Because all the replies you receive [individual replies, not the 'reply to all' kind] end up added to the initial message and create a long thread.
In every other email service, you would receive an individual message and you can develop individual conversations.
THUNDERBIRD: it is mind blowing that they have not yet included simple PREVIOUS NEXT buttons for all message, not just for UNREAD messages. I open my email, read quickly through the messages then, when I have time, go back and respond. With other email clients, I do so simply going from one message to the next (up or down, doens't matter). But THUNDER doesn't let you do it. It only has a button for next-previous UNREAD messages. That means, that I have to go to the message list, and click each message individually if I want to read/reply.
TBird previous/next for all messages not just unread > right click toolbar, select customize, drag the previous and next with the single vertical triangle to the toolbar.
Not sure if anyone seen/added this but thought I'd throw it up
Missing Mozilla Thunderbird? Here are five email alternatives
http://www.zdnet.com/missing-mozilla-thunderbird-here-are-five-email-alt...
Like Gmail and gave the new Outlook a try and its not bad,but what stops me using both is it can take up to an hour to get your mail.No good if you know there is an important mail you need,so using Thunderbird.
Ghacks.net have posted a worthwhile article, "Thunderbird’s future may look like this" (2012.09.17) at http://www.ghacks.net/2012/09/17/thunderbirds-future-may-look-like-this/....
Hey guys, some time ago i have recommended the eM email client which i still think is great. Later discovering this unique client i don't believe was reviewed or even mentioned, called the EmailTray, you can see all the info about the client and download from this page:
http://www.emailtray.com/
Been using EmailTray only few weeks, but i love the concept very much, the client is very light, extremely easy to set up, interface is very user friendly - something i have been looking for a long time in different email clients, it ranks "intelligently" your emails by importance (top priority, low priority, no priority email and spam ...) it will also notify you about important emails only (while you have the option to make it notify you about every mail if you wish so).
It uses a very good spam filter, you important mails will never go to spam. Lots of other great features, like email rules, and as i have mentioned before it categorizes your emails "intelligently", while you can teach your client on the go what exactly is important for you, what is less important and what not, create mail rules ...
You are able to create an EmailTray account to synchronize you data, mail rules, contacts and client's preferences with the company's server.
Another option i love is mail database backup, which if you enable will simultaneously store up to 3 backup files on your hard drive according to your schedule.
Bottom line, a very highly recommended intelligent Free email client "EmailTray"
Regards,
I loved the recommendation for EmailTray! It was exactly what I was looking for. I thandles pop3 and imap, clean minimal interface, and for someone with multiple email accounts it allows a better sorting method for mail than anything else I have found. It took all the pain out of going through hundreds of emails. I had gotten where I dreaded even opening my email, there would be so many and I don't check it very regularly. So this makes it a lot easier on me.
Sounded great so I installed it, but, evidently, it has deleted my emails from the server that are older than 30 days. So be forewarned if that is not something you want.
I haven't had much time to explore it so this is a first impression review of sorts--the features are interesting and unique and it was easy to set up, but it only evidently deals with new mail, told me after account setup that it would now import new mail from the last 30 days (didn't tell me it would delete everything else), but I wanted all mail from the server to my inbox. So, for this and other reasons listed below, I've dismissed this as not a full-featured email client. It looks to be great as a sorter/filter and a notifier, so it would be a good compliment to a real email client. But I will not keep it if I can't find a setting to allow old emails to remain on the server.
Two other things I don't really like about it:
1. There is no "All" tab to see your inbox(es) unsorted.
2. Emails open in a Preview Pane--there is not a separate window or full screen tab option that I could find.
Also there is no way to read the entire message source in plain text that I could find, altho you are able to see the headers.
This may be great for some--like in a business environment, but it just isn't my cup of tea. I had some emails on the server I needed that are gone now (thank God for the database on the laptop), so it made my life harder.
Thanks for the great review!
I was curious about Emailtrayt and installed it.
Must say that this is realy easy-to-use application. As for me, I'll stay with it if developers make sync with Google Calendar. And, I love their "people appearance" (contact vcard instead of message list).
To Papakid:
>> evidently, it has deleted my emails from the server that are older than 30 days. So be forewarned if that is not something you want.
Looks like you misunderstood the program's behavior. As far as I understand, Emailtray downloads only messages for last 30 days (at least for IMAP accounts), but it does NOT delete other emails.
>> 1. There is no "All" tab to see your inbox(es) unsorted.
Agreed. Sometimes this is what I need also.
>> 2. Emails open in a Preview Pane--there is not a separate window or full screen tab option that I could find.
I could not understand what happened to your program, because the one that I have is OK - Each message shows up fully downloaded, with attachments (if any). Maybe you mean that "Create new message" opens new tab?
Sorry that I didn't see the response to my post before now, but I would like to reply to it.
1. ">> evidently, it has deleted my emails from the server that are older than 30 days. So be forewarned if that is not something you want.
Looks like you misunderstood the program's behavior. As far as I understand, Emailtray downloads only messages for last 30 days (at least for IMAP accounts), but it does NOT delete other emails."
It probably is not designed to delete emails older than 30 days but it IS what happened to me. I don't know why, but I'm constantly having really strange problems like this with my new computer--if I believed in the supernatural I would think it was cursed--so it may be I'm the only one, but if it happened to me it's possible it could happen to someone else.
2. No all tab--We agree so no need for comment there.
3. ">> 2. Emails open in a Preview Pane--there is not a separate window or full screen tab option that I could find.
I could not understand what happened to your program, because the one that I have is OK - Each message shows up fully downloaded, with attachments (if any). Maybe you mean that "Create new message" opens new tab?"
Obviously there is a misunderstanding here because I am not talking about downloading messages or creating new ones. I'm talking about reading messages. On XP I was used to Outlook Express, which opened emails in a separate window. In Thunderbird you can set it to do the same or open in a new tab. Either way the message occupies all of the window's real estate--my apologies for saying full screen as that is not an accurate term. I could not find a way to get EmailTray to do this--messages are intergrated with the folder tree and email list (if I remember correctly, I didn't keep it very long). Which isn't unusual, other clients on this list appear to do the same--and opening in a separate window isn't a deal breaker, just something I prefer because it is what I am used to. Plus, in the old days before most clients blocked images, I always disabled the preview pane in Outlook Express so spammers couldn't track me with web beacons.
I still think EmailTray is not a full featured email client and should be in the same class as programs like PopPeeper. It's not what I am looking for. Thunderbird and EM Client have most of what I want in a full featured email client.
Great review Rev, well done and keep up the good work.
I strongly second the recommendation of "em client".
I switched to it from Thunderbird and it is really more than awesome. Especially the very good integration with gmail makes it not only easy to use and comfortable but really powerful at the same time. Very easy setup!
I also use it to synchronize with my google calendar which also works good and uncomplicated, while lacking some minor functions.
I would recommend anyone who uses eM Client do so with caution. I have used the current version (5) of the program extensively for half a year. It does have a very impressive feature set, but it is buggy, unstable and full of design flaws. Don't be surprised by data loss/corruption, missed tasks/events and repeated frustration. Its quality is far from Microsoft Outlook's.
Despite this, I am still sticking with it at the moment because its feature set really seems unparalleled.
Thank you for the recommendation! I used it myself and I personally prefer the UI's to Thunderbird; I've included a brief review, and will expand upon it in the future. Many thanks.
PEOPLE !!! thunderbird (like said by some...) is NOT DEAD. New version will not contain new features...as MOZILLA fells that they have given all the basic needs.....I LOVE thunderbird and WILL not change....
Besides the tons of addon give it options....and now that mozilla relies of the community, i bet we will see new features soon...probably on linux FIRST