Skip to content
ToolGPA

Alternatives · Email

Roundcube alternatives

As of Nov 12, 2026, the highest-graded Roundcube alternative is Thunderbird (3.2 GPA). It's also the best free one.

Roundcube compared with 4 alternatives: Zimbra, Thunderbird, Mailspring and Fastmail.

Roundcube is free to use. 2 of the 4 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.

Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
RoundcubeThis toolFreeFreeWeb
ZimbraPaidNoWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
ThunderbirdFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux, Android
MailspringFree plan · from $8/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux
FastmailFree trial · from $3/moTrial onlyWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android

Price against what you get

Roundcube has no paid plan and scores 1.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 3 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.

Thunderbird, Mailspring and Fastmail score higher without starting lower.

Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged

D1.0C2.0B3.0A4.0Free$0.5$1$2$5$10$20$50More for lessCosts more, scores moreCosts less, scores lessCosts more, scores lessRoundcubeThunderbirdMailspringFastmail

What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →

  • The best score at each price
  • Has a free plan
  • No free plan
The full chart of email apps, and the best at every price

How each one differs from Roundcube

  1. Zimbra

    Self-hosted email, calendar and file sharing for organizations

    • Zimbra has no free plan, unlike Roundcube.
    • Zimbra also lists Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
    • Zimbra also covers tasks and calendar.

    Suits: Companies and schools that need to keep email on servers they control

    Zimbra vs RoundcubeZimbra pricing and details

  2. Thunderbird

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

    • Thunderbird is free.
    • Thunderbird also lists Windows, macOS, Linux and Android apps.
    • Thunderbird lists no web app, which Roundcube has.
    • Thunderbird also covers tasks and calendar.

    Suits: People who want a free desktop email app without ads

    Thunderbird vs RoundcubeThunderbird pricing and details

  3. Mailspring

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

    • Mailspring starts at $8 per month, or $85 per year (Mailspring Pro).
    • Mailspring also lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
    • Mailspring lists no web app, which Roundcube has.
    • Mailspring also covers templates.

    Suits: Linux users who want a modern desktop email client

    Mailspring vs RoundcubeMailspring pricing and details

  4. Fastmail

    Paid, ad-free email with calendar, contacts and custom domains

    • Fastmail starts at $3 per user / month, billed yearly (Basic); Individual is $5, billed yearly.
    • Fastmail has no free plan, only a free trial, unlike Roundcube.
    • Fastmail also lists Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
    • Fastmail also covers calendar.

    Suits: People leaving free, ad-funded email for a paid private service

    Fastmail vs RoundcubeFastmail pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Roundcube

  • It is a client only: it needs your own IMAP and SMTP servers and does not provide a mailbox.
  • You install and update it yourself on a web server with PHP 8.1 or newer and a database.
  • The site posts a warning about scam emails that pretend to come from Roundcube.
  • Calendar, two-factor authentication and other extras come from third-party plugins.
Roundcube pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Roundcube?

The alternatives to Roundcube in this directory are Zimbra, Thunderbird, Mailspring and Fastmail. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Roundcube.

Is there a free alternative to Roundcube?

Yes. Thunderbird is free to use. Mailspring has a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Roundcube alternatives work on Windows?

The Roundcube listing does not include a Windows app. Zimbra, Thunderbird, Mailspring and Fastmail list one.

Which Roundcube alternatives work on macOS?

The Roundcube listing does not include a macOS app. Zimbra, Thunderbird, Mailspring and Fastmail list one.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

Keep reading

  • +3
    Alternatives

    The best Superhuman Mail alternatives in 2026

    Seven email tools that can replace Superhuman Mail, including two with free plans, lower-priced clients and options for accounts beyond Gmail and Outlook. Each pick says who it suits and where it stops.

    7 tools · Updated October 2026

  • +5
    Best of

    The best email apps in 2026

    Nine email tools compared: clients for Gmail and Outlook, two email services of their own, a filter for the app you already use and two team inboxes. Each pick says who it suits and what it costs.

    9 tools · Updated October 2026