Alternatives · Email
Mailspring alternatives
Mailspring compared with 7 alternatives: Thunderbird, Mailbird, eM Client, Microsoft Outlook, Apple Mail and 2 more.
Mailspring has a free plan. Paid plans start at $8 per month, or $85 per year (Mailspring Pro). 6 of the 7 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.
7 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| MailspringThis tool | Free plan · from $8/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Thunderbird | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux, Android |
| Mailbird | Free plan · from $34.49/yr | Yes | macOS, Windows |
| eM Client | Free plan · from $39.95/yr | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Microsoft Outlook | Free plan · from $1.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Apple Mail | Free plan · from $0.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, iOS |
| MailMate | Free trial · from $10/mo | Trial only | macOS |
| Wino Mail | Free plan | Yes | Windows |
How each one differs from Mailspring
- Free
Thunderbird
Free, open-source email app for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android
- Thunderbird is free. Mailspring starts at $8 per month, or $85 per year (Mailspring Pro).
- Only Thunderbird lists an Android app.
- Thunderbird also covers tasks and calendar.
- Mailspring also covers templates.
Suits: People who want a free desktop email app without ads
- Free plan · from $34.49/yr
Mailbird
Desktop email client for Windows and Mac with a unified inbox
- Mailbird starts at $34.49 per year (Premium Yearly Plan, US Mac App Store in-app price). Mailspring starts at $8 per month, or $85 per year (Mailspring Pro).
- Only Mailspring lists a Linux app.
- Mailbird can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Mailspring is open source, according to its own site.
- Mailspring also covers templates.
Suits: Windows users who want several email accounts in one desktop app
- Free plan · from $39.95/yr
eM Client
Desktop email client for Windows and Mac with calendar and chat
- eM Client starts at $39.95 per year (Personal subscription, up to 3 devices). Mailspring starts at $8 per month, or $85 per year (Mailspring Pro).
- Only eM Client lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Mailspring lists a Linux app.
- eM Client can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Mailspring is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: Windows and Mac users who want a full desktop mail client
- Free plan · from $1.99/mo
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft's email and calendar app for desktop, mobile and web
- Microsoft Outlook starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Basic). Mailspring starts at $8 per month, or $85 per year (Mailspring Pro).
- Only Microsoft Outlook lists a web app.
- Only Microsoft Outlook lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Mailspring lists a Linux app.
- Mailspring is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: People who want mail, calendar and contacts from several accounts in one app
- Free plan · from $0.99/mo
Apple Mail
Free built-in email app for iPhone, iPad and Mac
- Apple Mail starts at $0.99 per month (iCloud+ with 50 GB). Mailspring starts at $8 per month, or $85 per year (Mailspring Pro).
- Only Apple Mail lists a web app.
- Only Apple Mail lists an iOS app.
- Only Mailspring lists Windows and Linux apps.
- Mailspring is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: iPhone, iPad and Mac owners who want a mail app at no cost
- Free trial · from $10/mo
MailMate
Keyboard-driven IMAP email client for macOS with Markdown composing
- MailMate starts at $10 every 3 months (local-currency equivalent plus any VAT). Mailspring starts at $8 per month, or $85 per year (Mailspring Pro).
- Mailspring has a free plan. MailMate does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Mailspring lists Windows and Linux apps.
- Mailspring is open source, according to its own site.
- MailMate also covers Markdown.
Suits: Mac users who prefer writing email in plain text or Markdown
- Free plan
Wino Mail
Free, open source mail and calendar app for Windows
- Only Mailspring lists macOS and Linux apps.
- Wino Mail also covers tasks and calendar.
Suits: Windows users who miss the built-in Mail and Calendar apps
Limits worth knowing in Mailspring
- There is no iOS, Android or web version; the docs say the team is focused on the desktop app.
- Exchange (EWS and ActiveSync) and POP3 are not supported. Microsoft 365 accounts connect over IMAP and SMTP.
- The calendar is a read-only preview for Google accounts; a full calendar is described as coming later.
- No one-time or lifetime license is offered, and Pro does not include premium support.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Mailspring?
The alternatives to Mailspring in this directory are Thunderbird, Mailbird, eM Client, Microsoft Outlook, Apple Mail, MailMate and Wino Mail. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Mailspring.
Is there a free alternative to Mailspring?
Yes. Thunderbird is free to use. Mailbird, eM Client, Microsoft Outlook, Apple Mail and Wino Mail have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Mailspring alternatives work on Android?
The Mailspring listing does not include an Android app. Thunderbird, eM Client and Microsoft Outlook list one.
Which Mailspring alternatives work on iOS?
The Mailspring listing does not include an iOS app. eM Client, Microsoft Outlook and Apple Mail list one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
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