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Apple Mail alternatives · Email

Open-source alternatives to Apple Mail

Apple Mail is not described as open source on its own site. 8 of the 51 other email apps in this directory are open source, according to their own sites.

Apple Mail has a free plan. Paid plans start at $0.99 per month (iCloud+ with 50 GB). 6 of them are free or have a free plan.

8 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

How each one differs from Apple Mail

  1. Thunderbird

    Free, open-source email app for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android

    • Thunderbird is free. Apple Mail starts at $0.99 per month (iCloud+ with 50 GB).
    • Only Thunderbird lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only Apple Mail lists a web app.
    • Only Apple Mail lists an iOS app.
    Thunderbird vs Apple MailThunderbird pricing and details

  2. Mailspring

    Open-source desktop email client for Mac, Windows and Linux

    • Mailspring starts at $8 per month, or $85 per year (Mailspring Pro). Apple Mail starts at $0.99 per month (iCloud+ with 50 GB).
    • Only Mailspring lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • Only Apple Mail lists a web app.
    • Only Apple Mail lists an iOS app.
    Mailspring vs Apple MailMailspring pricing and details

  3. Inbox Zero

    Open source AI email assistant for Gmail and Outlook

    • Inbox Zero starts at $18 per user / month, billed annually ($20 billed monthly). Apple Mail starts at $0.99 per month (iCloud+ with 50 GB).
    • Apple Mail has a free plan. Inbox Zero does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Inbox Zero lists Windows and Android apps.
    • Only Inbox Zero lists a browser extension.
    Inbox Zero pricing and details

  4. Wino Mail

    Free, open source mail and calendar app for Windows

    • Only Wino Mail lists a Windows app.
    • Only Apple Mail lists a web app.
    • Only Apple Mail lists iOS and macOS apps.
    • Wino Mail is open source, according to its own site.
    Wino Mail pricing and details

  5. Proton Mail

    End-to-end encrypted email service based in Switzerland

    • Proton Mail starts at $3.99 per month, billed every 12 months ($47.88); $4.99 billed monthly. Apple Mail starts at $0.99 per month (iCloud+ with 50 GB).
    • Only Proton Mail lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Proton Mail is open source and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • Proton Mail also covers calendar.
    Proton Mail pricing and details

  6. Tuta Mail

    End-to-end encrypted email and calendar from Germany

    • Tuta Mail starts at €3 per month, paid yearly (lowest paid personal plan). Apple Mail starts at $0.99 per month (iCloud+ with 50 GB).
    • Only Tuta Mail lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Tuta Mail is open source and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • Tuta Mail also covers calendar.
    Tuta Mail pricing and details

  7. Posteo

    Ad-free, green-powered email from Berlin for €1 a month

    • Posteo starts at €1 per month, prepaid (minimum top-up €12). Apple Mail starts at $0.99 per month (iCloud+ with 50 GB).
    • Apple Mail has a free plan. Posteo does not.
    • Only Apple Mail lists iOS and macOS apps.
    • Posteo is open source and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    Posteo pricing and details

  8. FairEmail

    Open source, privacy-oriented email client for Android

    • FairEmail starts at $7.49 one-time (pro features, US Google Play in-app purchase). Apple Mail starts at $0.99 per month (iCloud+ with 50 GB).
    • Only FairEmail lists an Android app.
    • Only Apple Mail lists a web app.
    • Only Apple Mail lists iOS and macOS apps.
    FairEmail pricing and details

Common questions

Is there an open-source alternative to Apple Mail?

Yes. Thunderbird, Mailspring, Inbox Zero, Wino Mail, Proton Mail, Tuta Mail, Posteo and FairEmail are open source, according to their own sites.

Is Apple Mail open source?

Apple Mail is not described as open source on its own site. The listing was checked on Oct 5, 2026 against the pages it cites.

Which of these email apps are free?

Thunderbird, Mailspring, Wino Mail, Proton Mail, Tuta Mail and FairEmail are free or have a free plan.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Apple Mail: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.