FairEmail

Open-source, privacy-focused email app for Android with very detailed settings.

Verified facts: 4 of 4
Alternatives ranked: 5
Approved reviews: 0
Visits sent from here: 0

About FairEmail

FairEmail is an open-source email client for Android made by a single developer in the Netherlands. It focuses on privacy: no analytics, no tracking and no ads, and mail goes straight between your phone and your mail servers. It supports unlimited IMAP and POP accounts, a unified inbox, conversation threading, offline storage, OpenPGP and S/MIME encryption, tracking-image blocking and a reformatted message view that strips out risky content. Almost every behaviour can be adjusted, which makes it popular with power users but intimidating at first. The app is free, and a one-time Pro purchase unlocks extras such as rules, extra themes and notification options. It deliberately supports only standard protocols, so Microsoft Exchange Web Services and ActiveSync accounts are not supported, though Outlook.com and Office 365 work over IMAP. There is no iOS or desktop version. It is the go-to choice for privacy-minded Android users who want control.

Best for: Privacy-minded Android users who like to fine-tune every setting.

What works

Open source with no ads, analytics or tracking
OpenPGP and S/MIME built in
Extremely configurable

Why people leave

Android only
No Exchange ActiveSync support
Settings can overwhelm new users

Top FairEmail alternatives

See all 5

1
Thunderbird
Open-source Android client (formerly K-9 Mail) with a simpler setup.
66.5
2
Proton Mail
If privacy is the goal, an encrypted provider with its own Android app.
62.6
3
BlueMail
Free Android client with Exchange support and desktop versions.
59.6
4
Gmail
The default Android mail app, easier to use and supports other accounts too.
57.2
5Ed
Edison Mail
A simpler free Android client with strong unsubscribe tools.
55.3

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FairEmail: common questions

Is FairEmail free?

Yes. FairEmail is free, open-source software.

Is FairEmail open source?

Yes. The source code is on GitHub at M66B/FairEmail.

What platforms does FairEmail run on?

FairEmail is available for Android.

What are the best alternatives to FairEmail?

The highest-ranked FairEmail alternatives right now are Thunderbird, Proton Mail and BlueMail. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 5 FairEmail alternatives

FairEmail facts

4 of 4 verified

License: GPL-3.0; Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab); “License: GPL-3.0 (GNU General Public License v3.0).”
Open source: 100%; Checked Oct 25, 2026email.faircode.eu(opens source in a new tab); “Fully featured 100% open source Privacy oriented”
Tracking: No ads, analytics or tracking; Checked Oct 25, 2026email.faircode.eu(opens source in a new tab); “No advertisements No analytics and no tracking”
Exchange support: No EWS or ActiveSync; Checked Oct 25, 2026email.faircode.eu(opens source in a new tab); “FairEmail does not support non-standard protocols, like Microsoft Exchange Web Services and Microsoft ActiveSync.”