AppBreakup
Submit an app

Mailspring alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Mailspring: no mobile apps, and small team, so features arrive slowly. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Mailspring, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Thunderbird currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Thunderbird logoThunderbirdOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +15 of 566.5
2eM Client logoeM ClientFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS4 of 462.6
3BlueMail logoBlueMailFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +24 of 459.6
4Mailbird logoMailbirdFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS3 of 357.2
5Geary logoGearyOpen sourceYesLinux3 of 355.3
  1. Thunderbird logo

    1. ThunderbirdTop pick

    Best for: Desktop users who want a free, private, customisable mail and calendar app

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, Android

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Mailspring

    More mature open-source client with calendars, OpenPGP and an Android app.

    Pros

    • Free, open source and funded by donations, with no ads
    • Built-in OpenPGP, calendar, filters and many add-ons
    • Runs on Windows, Mac, Linux and Android

    Cons

    • No web version and no released iOS app yet
    • Add-ons sometimes break after major updates
    • Exchange setups can need extra configuration
    Visit Thunderbird Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Thunderbird a good Mailspring alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Desktop platforms
    Windows, Linux, macOS
    Checked Oct 25, 2026thunderbird.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Price
    Free, funded by donations
    Checked Oct 25, 2026thunderbird.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Mobile app
    Open-source Android app
    Checked Oct 25, 2026thunderbird.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Android app origin
    Formerly K-9 Mail
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Android app license
    Apache-2.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. eM Client logo

    2. eM Client

    Best for: Windows and Mac users who want Outlook-level features without Outlook

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Mailspring

    A Windows and Mac client with stronger calendar and Exchange support.

    Pros

    • Mail, calendar, tasks and contacts in one desktop app
    • Built-in PGP and strong Exchange support
    • Option to buy a one-time license

    Cons

    • Free version limited to home use and two accounts
    • No Linux version
    • Business licensing is per device
    Visit eM Client Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is eM Client a good Mailspring alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free version
    Home use, 1 device, 2 accounts
    Checked Oct 25, 2026emclient.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows and macOS
    Checked Oct 25, 2026emclient.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    30 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026emclient.com(opens source in a new tab)
    License options
    Yearly subscription or one-time payment
    Checked Oct 25, 2026emclient.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. BlueMail logo

    3. BlueMail

    Best for: People who want the same free mail app on every device, including Linux

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Mailspring

    Free on desktop and mobile, including Linux.

    Pros

    • Runs on iOS, Android, Mac, Windows and Linux
    • Free personal plan with unlimited accounts
    • Built-in PGP encryption

    Cons

    • Busy interface with many options
    • Some sync goes through the vendor's servers
    • Upgrade prompts in the free version
    Visit BlueMail Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is BlueMail a good Mailspring alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, unlimited accounts
    Checked Oct 25, 2026bluemail.me(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026bluemail.me(opens source in a new tab)
    Encryption
    PGP
    Checked Oct 25, 2026bluemail.me(opens source in a new tab)
    Plus free trial
    7 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026bluemail.me(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Mailbird logo

    4. Mailbird

    Best for: Windows users who want a unified inbox with their other apps alongside

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Mailspring

    A Windows and Mac client with many built-in app integrations.

    Pros

    • Unified inbox for many account types
    • Sidebar apps for calendar, chat and tasks
    • Free tier for a single account

    Cons

    • No mobile apps
    • Free tier only covers one account
    • Integrations are mostly embedded web apps
    Visit Mailbird Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Mailbird a good Mailspring alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Free tier
    1 account, basic features
    Checked Oct 25, 2026getmailbird.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows and Mac
    Checked Oct 25, 2026getmailbird.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Mac requirement
    macOS Ventura or later
    Checked Oct 25, 2026getmailbird.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Geary logo

    5. Geary

    Best for: GNOME desktop users who want a simple, tidy email client

    Open sourceLinux

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Mailspring

    A lightweight open-source client for Linux desktops running GNOME.

    Pros

    • Clean, conversation-based interface
    • Uses existing GNOME Online Accounts for quick setup
    • Free and open source

    Cons

    • Linux only
    • No calendar, PGP or advanced filters
    • Slow development pace
    Visit Geary Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Geary a good Mailspring alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    License
    LGPL-2.1
    Checked Oct 25, 2026gitlab.gnome.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Design
    Conversation-based, for GNOME
    Checked Oct 25, 2026gitlab.gnome.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Account setup
    Uses GNOME Online Accounts
    Checked Oct 25, 2026wiki.gnome.org(opens source in a new tab)

The best Mailspring alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Thunderbird logo

Best Mailspring alternative for most people

Thunderbird

More mature open-source client with calendars, OpenPGP and an Android app.

Geary logo

Best Mailspring alternative for a free option

Geary

A lightweight open-source client for Linux desktops running GNOME.

eM Client logo

Best Mailspring alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

eM Client

A Windows and Mac client with stronger calendar and Exchange support.

Thunderbird logo

Best Mailspring alternative for open source

Thunderbird

More mature open-source client with calendars, OpenPGP and an Android app.

BlueMail logo

Best Mailspring alternative for Mac

BlueMail

Free on desktop and mobile, including Linux.

Mailbird logo

Best Mailspring alternative for Windows

Mailbird

A Windows and Mac client with many built-in app integrations.

Thunderbird logo

Best Mailspring alternative for Linux

Thunderbird

More mature open-source client with calendars, OpenPGP and an Android app.

BlueMail logo

Best Mailspring alternative for iPhone and Android

BlueMail

Free on desktop and mobile, including Linux.

Mailspring alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Mailspring?

Thunderbird ranks first right now. More mature open-source client with calendars, OpenPGP and an Android app. eM Client and BlueMail follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Mailspring?

Yes. Thunderbird (open source), eM Client (free plan + paid), BlueMail (free plan + paid) and Mailbird (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Mailspring?

Yes: Thunderbird and Geary.

Which Mailspring alternatives work on Linux?

Thunderbird, BlueMail and Geary run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Mailspring?

The complaints we hear most: no mobile apps; small team, so features arrive slowly; limited native Exchange support.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Mailspring, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.