MailMate
Keyboard-driven IMAP email client for macOS with Markdown composing
What is MailMate?
MailMate is an IMAP email client for macOS made by Freron Software in Copenhagen. Emails are written in a plain text editor with optional Markdown, and the app is built around keyboard control, detailed search conditions, smart mailboxes and tagging, with OpenPGP and S/MIME for encryption and signing. A license key comes from a $10 subscription billed every 3 months, and the app keeps working in a Free Mode if the subscription is cancelled.
MailMate is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $10 every 3 months (local-currency equivalent plus any VAT). See every plan
Good for
- Mac users who prefer writing email in plain text or Markdown
- People who want to run their inbox from the keyboard
- Building detailed smart mailboxes and saved searches
Worth knowing
- It runs on macOS only and connects to email through IMAP accounts.
- The composer is plain text only: formatting comes from Markdown rather than from toolbar buttons.
- The recommended download is a 2.0 beta that needs macOS 10.12 or later; the last public release is more than 4 years old.
- Businesses are required to stay in Paid Mode, and the subscription does not guarantee a reply to support emails.
Key features
- Markdown composing
- Emails are written in a plain text editor. Optional Markdown is converted to HTML for lists, tables, code segments and inline images, with a preview of what recipients will see.
- Keyboard control
- The app is designed to be driven from the keyboard, with shortcuts for searching, moving messages to a mailbox and tagging, and support for custom key bindings.
- Smart mailboxes and search
- Smart mailboxes are built from conditions on any message header, with nested All/Any rules, and any search can be saved as one. Clicking a name or subject runs a related search.
- OpenPGP and S/MIME
- Messages can be encrypted and signed with either OpenPGP or S/MIME from within the client.
- Bundles for other apps
- Bundles connect MailMate to third-party task managers, calendar managers and external text editors. They are fetched and updated separately from the app itself.
- Alternative layouts
- Besides the standard view there is a widescreen layout, a Correspondence layout showing related messages, a Statistics layout that counts header values, and Thread Arcs.
MailMate pricing
- Starts at
- $10 every 3 months (local-currency equivalent plus any VAT)
- Free plan
- None
- Free trial
- Trial Mode: every feature, currently for 14 days of active use
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Paid Mode | $10every 3 months, plus any VAT | The MailMate Development subscription issues the license key and pays for ongoing development. All features are included, and business use requires it. |
| Free Mode | $0 | After a subscription ends, all features keep working for non-business use, and outgoing mail is labelled "MailMate Free Mode" in its headers. |
Read from freron.com on Oct 6, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with MailMate before you buy.
Ways to pay less
- NonprofitNon-profit use can stay in Free Mode
The pricing page says non-profit use does not require Paid Mode, so the subscription can be cancelled and MailMate keeps all of its features in Free Mode.
Stated on freron.com
Works with
- BusyContacts
- HoudahSpot
MailMate alternatives
- MailMate vs Apple Mail
Free plan · from $0.99/mo
- MailMate vs Mimestream
Free trial · from $49.99/yr
- MailMate vs Airmail
Free plan · from $7.99/mo
- MailMate vs Mailspring
Free plan · from $8/mo
Common questions
Is MailMate free?
No, MailMate is a paid product, but you can try it first. Trial Mode: every feature, currently for 14 days of active use.
How much does MailMate cost?
MailMate lists 2 plans. Paid Mode: $10 every 3 months, plus any VAT. Free Mode: $0. Prices were read from freron.com on Oct 6, 2026.
What platforms does MailMate work on?
MailMate is available on macOS.
Does MailMate offer any discounts?
MailMate publicly lists the following: Non-profit use can stay in Free Mode.
Does MailMate have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. MailMate is listed for macOS.
Does MailMate have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. MailMate is listed for macOS.
Is MailMate open source?
MailMate is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 6, 2026.
What does MailMate integrate with?
MailMate's listing names BusyContacts and HoudahSpot. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes MailMate?
MailMate is made by Freron Software. It dates from 2010.
What are the alternatives to MailMate?
The closest alternatives to MailMate in our directory are Apple Mail, Mimestream, Airmail, Thunderbird and Mailspring. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with MailMate.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 6, 2026.