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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
  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)

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.