The best free email clients for Windows. Review of the free version of Opera Mail Distinctive features of the Koma-Mail email client

Computer email programs allow you to use electronic correspondence more flexibly. Filters, rules, shortcuts and much more, and most importantly - offline access to what was downloaded earlier.

1. Mozilla Thunderbird

A time-tested, multi-functional tool from Mozilla.

Supports any number of accounts

Extensibility with plugins

Limited calendar options

Like the Firefox browser, Mozilla's email client works with third-party plugins, which can significantly expand the capabilities of the application. In addition to reading and sending emails, Thunderbird allows you to read RSS feeds even without plugins.

Setting up mail is quite simple. In most cases, all you need to do is remember your email address and password. The program will configure everything else itself.

Free online course "Convenient Gmail" A series of visual video instructions will significantly simplify and speed up your daily work with email. Once you learn it, use it every day!

2. eM Client

Thunderbird's main competitor in the free email client market. The main advantage is simple migration from other email programs and a smart translator.

Migration Tools

Built-in chat

Thoughtful design

Only supports two accounts

eM Client has a 10-year history and is considered by many to be the best email client for Windows.

eM Client allows you to easily and quickly transfer your messages from Gmail, Exchange, iCloud and Outlook.com, has built-in search, calendar and address book. The built-in chat supports working with third-party instant messengers, like Jabber or Google Chat.

Additional features include a built-in translator, delayed sending of messages and encryption. If you only have two email accounts, then eM Client is a great choice.

3. Mailbird Lite

Nice email client with extensive social capabilities

Integration of social services

Very easy installation

Only supports one account

Mailbird Lite is not just an email client. This is a whole platform for communications. It allows you to expand the application's capabilities for maintaining schedules, chats, file synchronization and teamwork.

The free version has certain limitations. For example, previewing files attached to emails before opening them or quick reading. But the free functionality is quite wide.

When setting up, you don’t need to bother with email service addresses; just remember the login and password for your mailbox. You can add your Facebook account, WhatsApp, Google Calendar, free task manager Moo.do and the Asana application for teamworking to your mail.

4. Claws Mail

Minimalistic and intuitive client.

Operation speed

Intuitive Design

Easy to set up

Small set of plugins

The minimum resource requirement allows you to use the Claws Mail email client even on old computers. It will still work quickly.

The application allows you to import your settings from other clients, such as MS Outlook or Thunderbird. Therefore, if one of them does not suit you, it will not take long to switch to a simpler solution.

Thanks to the plugins, you can additionally install a calendar, RSS subscription and something else.

5. Opera Mail

An open source project from the team behind the Opera browser.

Any number of accounts

Customizable tagging system

Difficult setup

This solution allows you to create template letters, which is especially important for business. Convenient message filters and sorting. Abundance of manual settings.

It is possible to read RSS feeds, which eliminates the need to use a browser for these purposes.

Most users open their email account through a regular browser, unaware that there is an alternative that is much more convenient to use. Let's look at a number of popular email clients and their advantages.

What is and why do you need an email client in Windows?

An email client is a special utility that allows you to view and write email messages within your mailboxes.

The email client helps users quickly check several email accounts at once

The mail client may be of interest to users who have several mailboxes from one or more mail services, for example, Yandex and Google. Verifying them takes a lot of time, because you have to log out of each account to log into the next one, and constantly manually enter authorization data. The mail client checks for new messages in all accounts at once. In addition, it is not necessary to launch it every time; it is enough to enable notifications in the Windows tray.

The utility is also suitable for people who use metered or slow Internet. If they download an email client, letters will load faster, and traffic will be saved (it will only be spent on receiving and sending letters).

Email clients for Windows 10

There are many utilities for managing several boxes at the same time: paid and free, for professional and home use, with a beautiful and ordinary shell.

Mail app included in Windows 10

Windows 10 has a standard mail client called Mail. Its predecessor is the program of the same name, created within the Metro shell in Windows 8. In the “eight”, the program had a basic set of functions and a minimum amount of settings and allowed you to use several mailboxes, receive and send letters, configure their order and move them.

Mail functionality in Windows 10 is enough for comfortable home use

The functionality of the program in the “ten” has been expanded. The following features have been added:

choice of interface color and background image;
formatting text and working with tables in the editor to create a letter;
synchronization with the calendar and task schedule.

The downside of the utility is that adding a Yandex account will take a little more time, since manual configuration is required. In the initial window, you can quickly enter only service boxes:

Google;
Outlook;
Exchange;
iCloud;
Yahoo!.

Mail comes standard with Windows 10 and does not need to be downloaded and installed separately. To open the utility:

Using the Start menu:
- click on the button in the form of a window on the “Taskbar” in the lower left corner of the screen;
  The Mail shortcut is in the Start menu
- Scroll through the list of utilities to the letter “P”, find the “Mail” item and click on it;
- add your first email account;
  Select a mail service from the list of available ones
- If you don't want to scroll through the list, click on the first letter "A" to open a table with the remaining letters. Select “P” in it with the left mouse button. The desired list of programs for this letter will appear on the panel;
  In the table, select “P” to immediately go to a small list with applications starting with this letter
via the Windows Search panel:

Outlook

Outlook is another email client from Microsoft. The program is paid and perhaps this is its only drawback. It is a real information manager with the functions of an email client. The utility has the following main advantages:

advanced calendar management for quality planning. Shared calendars are available where you can schedule meetings and respond to invitations;
integration with Office. You can work with and share attachments from other Office utilities from your PC or the cloud;
creating groups to discuss issues and exchange files and notes;
quickly search for the necessary data using keywords or contacts. Recent searches are saved;
automatic filtering and sorting of correspondence;
automatic archiving in case of data loss;
advanced text formatting options. Outlook is a stripped-down version of modern Word. You can work with tables, express blocks and other elements.

The functionality is huge and, most likely, most of the options are simply not needed by the average user. However, for a professional working in an office, this is an ideal product.

Outlook has huge functionality, so it is suitable for professional use

The computer must meet the following minimum requirements for the program to run on it:

Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and later, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008;
Silverlight 3 and later;
availability of the Net Framework 4.0 platform.

The email client is included in the package of Microsoft Office 365 utilities (Excel, Word, Power Point and more). If this package is on your PC, then perhaps this utility is also there. Search for it using Windows Search using the instructions from the previous section. If you don't have Office, you can download a free trial version of the manager:

Go to the official Microsoft page. Point the arrow at the “Try for free” button and click on “For Home”.
Click on “For Home” in the “Try for Free” menu if you have not yet decided on the paid version
On the next page, click on “Try free for a month.”
Click on “Try free for a month” to confirm that you want the free option
Log in to your Outlook mail. If you don't have one, create an account using the special link below the field. The procedure is simple and does not take much time.
Log in to the login page using your email address and password
Click on the red “Next” button.
Click on the "Next" button to move to the next step
Select a payment method. Click on “Credit or Debit Card”.
Click on "Credit or Debit Card" to enter your card details
Click on “Next” again.
Change the information if necessary and click “Next”
Enter your card details. Don't worry, they won't charge you anything. Entering payment information is a requirement of the developer.
Enter your card details to purchase a subscription later if necessary.
After this, the installation file will be available to you. Download the file and run it.
We select only one product in the list - Microsoft Outlook 2010.
Check the box next to Microsoft Outlook and click on “Continue”
Check the box next to “I accept the terms of the agreement” and click “Continue”.
Check the box next to “I accept the terms of the agreement”
Click on “Install”.
Click on the “Install” button to start the procedure
We are waiting for the installation to complete.
Wait while the system installs the program
Click on “Close” in the window and open the already installed program through the “Start” menu or a shortcut on the “Desktop”.
Click on "Close" and open the program using the shortcut in "Start"

Video: Outlook client overview

eM Client is a shareware client from the developer of the same name, which, in addition to the basic capabilities of receiving and sending letters, a scheduler and a calendar, also offers a chat function. You can connect accounts to such popular communication services as ICQ, MSN, Jabber, Yahoo! etc.

In the eM Client window you can communicate in ICQ and Yahoo!

The program has the following positive aspects:

sorting, tagging and filtering mail;
the ability to choose an interface theme and adjust the position of the sidebar;
advanced and convenient search system;
setting up automatic deletion, forwarding, moving mail to specific folders;
Russian language support;
quick installation;
import messages, contacts, folders, calendars from Thunderbird, Outlook and other email clients;
support for S/MIME - a reliable standard for encryption and signing in email.

The application also has some disadvantages:

The free version allows for simultaneous use of only two accounts. The paid Pro option for one device costs $30;
During installation of the program, the window does not ask in which folder to install the application;
If cookies are disabled in the Internet Explorer browser, the utility will not work, so we check the activation.

The utility will work on the following versions of Windows:

To proceed to installing eM Client:

The Russian-language Thunderbird utility from the browser manufacturer Mozilla Firefox is considered an ideal solution for the average user, since the program contains only everything you need. This is both a plus of the program and a minus, since it is most likely not suitable for professional use.

Thunderbird's functionality is not so extensive, so only an ordinary user can use it

Let's highlight the following advantages of Thunderbird:

The application is free, but the developers offer to make a donation for the development of the software after downloading the installer. The program has the following system and PC requirements:

Pentium 4 or newer processor supporting SSE2;
1 GB RAM;
operating systems: Server 2008 R2, 7, 8, 8.1, 10;
200 MB of disk space.

Install the program as follows:

Go to the official website of the application. Click on the green “Download for free” button. The installer will weigh about 30 MB.
Click on the green link "Download for free"
We launch the installer by double-clicking and clicking on “Yes” to allow this program to make changes on the computer.
Now click on “Next” in the installation wizard window itself.
Click on the "Next" button in the initial window of the Thunderbird installation wizard
We choose between regular and custom installation types. The second option is suitable for experienced users. For beginners, it is better to give preference to the regular one. Also pay attention to the bottom of the window. If you want the program to be used as your default email client, leave the checkbox. Otherwise, we remove it. Click on “Next”.
Select the installation type and click on “Next”
If necessary, enter the path to the folder in which the application should be saved, or leave the one that was generated automatically. Click on “Install”.
Select a folder for Thunderbird and click “Install” to begin installation
We wait for the installation to complete and open the program.

Video: how to use Thunderbird

Claws Mail

Claws Mail is a fairly popular client for working with multiple mail accounts among users of Unix systems, for example, Linux and Mac OS. However, there is also a version for Windows. Developed by The Claws Mail Team. Its functions and appearance are reminiscent of The Bat! utility. You can use the application for free.

In Claws Mail you can work with all popular protocols: POP, SMTP, IMAP, NNTP, SSL

The utility offers users the following:

support for all popular protocols: POP, SMTP, IMAP, NNTP, SSL;
customizing the appearance of the client window using different themes, which are packaged in a separate tar.gz archive;
LDPA and plugin support. There are built-in and additional extensions that need to be downloaded separately from the official program page. For example, using them you can enable notifications in the Windows tray, view PDF files and activate antispam;
check spelling using a dictionary from Open Office and create your own letter templates;
the ability to work in the utility using hotkeys that can be configured;
adding accounts in a semi-automatic mode: the user specifies the email address and connection protocol, and the client adds the receiving and sending servers himself.

The program has negative aspects:

versions for Windows are slightly inferior in functionality compared to versions for Unix systems;
work with social networks and cloud storage services is not provided in the client;
You cannot import your contact list and attachments from other similar clients. Contacts are collected based on letter folders or individual messages.

The program is designed for Windows versions from XP to "ten". If you decide to install this program, follow the instructions:

Go to the official website of the utility. Click on one of the two blue links depending on the version of Windows - 32- or 64-bit. The installer weighs 31 MB. We are waiting for it to load.
Click on the blue link to download the installer corresponding to the system bit size
Launch the file and click “Yes” to allow the application to make changes on the device.
Click on “Yes” to allow the program to make names on this device
Click on the Next button in the initial window of the Claws Mail installation wizard.
Click on I Agree in the next window.
Click on I Agree to start downloading the program installer
If desired, select another folder on the local system drive.
Select a new folder for Claws Mail or keep the one that was automatically determined
We put checkmarks next to the places where the program icon should be. Click on Next.
Select the location where you want the Claws Mail icon to be launched
To start the installation, click on Install and wait for the procedure to complete.
Click Install to begin installing Claws Mail

Zimbra Desktop

Zimbra Desktop is a free cross-platform utility with a minimalistic interface from Synacor, which is suitable for both home and office use.

In Zimbra Desktop you will find all the necessary functions that are needed by both the office worker and the average user

In addition to a calendar, organizer and contact book, users of this program also receive the following features:

Reading and editing emails offline without the Internet: emails are saved from specific email profiles to your hard drive. As a result, the user can work with them anywhere;
synchronizing contacts from other email clients;
setting up notification and display parameters for emails;
creating separate packages of signatures, ready-made sample letters and filters for added mail accounts;
support for add-ons - “zimplets”. For example, they allow you to use various social networks, weather services, office utility packages and instant messengers in the client window;
The maximum size of attachments in letters is 750 MB.

The utility makes the following requirements for the system:

OS: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10;
bit depth: 32 bit, 64 bit, x86.

The application also has weaknesses:

If you want to download and install the program, follow the instructions:

Download Java Oracle Runtime Environment from the official website of the developer. Go to the website, click on Accept License Agreement and select the version for your system.
Click on the link in the list that matches your system
Open the Java installer and click on Install.
Click Install to begin installing the Java Oracle Runtime Environment
In the next window, click on “OK”.
We are waiting for the Java installation process to complete.
Wait for Java Oracle Runtime Environment to install on PC
Click Close in the window, where you will be notified about the successful installation.
The window will inform you about the successful installation of Java Oracle Runtime Environment
Let's move on to downloading the client itself from its official website. Choose between 32- and 64-bit versions. The installer weighs about 100 MB.
Select your system version from the list and click on the corresponding link
Launch it and click Next.
Click Next to change the presets before installing Zimbra Desktop
Check the box next to I accept the license agreement and click Next again.
Check the box next to accepting the terms and conditions and click Next
If necessary, select another folder on your hard drive to save Zimbra Desktop. To do this, click on Change and put the desired folder in Windows Explorer.
Using the Change button you can change the folder for Zimbra Desktop
Click on Install to start the procedure.
Click on Install to begin installing Zimbra Desktop
After this, a utility icon will appear on the “Desktop” and in the “Start” menu, through which you can open the client.

Mailbird

Mailbird is a free utility from the developer company of the same name with a nice, modern interface. The application supports many languages, including Russian. The program is suitable for versions of Windows above "seven".

In Mailbird you can customize the appearance of the window to suit your tastes

The application offers the following features to the user:

The disadvantage of the program is that it provides free access to only 3 accounts. The paid Pro version costs around $12 or $45 depending on whether you want to pay once a year or just make one payment. You can test the paid version for free for a month.

An unlimited number of accounts, quick message previews, and dormant emails have been added to the Pro functionality. The user specifies a grace period after which non-urgent but already opened emails are marked as unread again.

To download Mailbird:

Open the official Mailbird page. Click on the red Get Mailbird Free button.
Click on the red link Get Mailbird Free
Launch the downloaded file, and then click on “Yes” to allow the application to make changes on your device.
In the window that appears, click on Accept.
Click on the Accept button to accept the terms of the agreement
Select the folder to save Mailbird and the language of the future interface. Click on “Install Mailbird”.
Click on “Install Mailbird” to start the Mailbird installation
We are waiting for the installation to complete.
Wait for Mailbird to install on your PC
We see a window on the screen with a message about successful installation. We leave or uncheck the boxes depending on whether we want to add a program shortcut to the “Desktop” and set it as the default email client or not. After that, click on “Launch Mailbird”.
Click on the “Launch Mailbird” button

TouchMail

TouchMail is an email management application that stands out from the crowd of similar programs thanks to its colorful interface. It was developed by the company of the same name specifically for devices with a touch screen: convertible laptops and tablets. The shell contains a variety of tiles that are easy to manipulate with both your fingers and mouse. Each sender has its own color code, which can be used to quickly find the letters you need.

In the TouchMail window you will see many tiles that will display letters, contacts, etc.

The program is suitable for Windows 8 and “tens”. The architecture must be x86 or x64. The utility is paid. Purchasing from the official Windows Store will cost about 2 thousand rubles.

The application has an extensive range of features:

moving several emails from different accounts into one shared folder for quick access;
deleting letters by dragging up;
adding a signature to an email;
compatibility with Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo!, Mail and other services;
correspondence via group messages and much more.

To start using the program:

Let's go to the Microsoft Store. Click on the blue “Buy” button.
Click on "Buy" in Microsoft Windows Store
Log in to your Microsoft account. If it doesn't exist, we create it.
On the new Microsoft page, click “Next”.
Click on the "Next" button
Select "Credit or debit card".
Enter the card details and click on “Save”.
Enter your bank card details and personal information, and then click on “Save”
We pay the full amount. After that, you will have access to the “Install” button on the same Microsoft page with the Touchmail product.
A message appears in your browser asking you to open the Microsoft Store. Click on the corresponding button.
In the store application, click on “Get”. The system will install the program itself and add its shortcut to the Start menu. The “Launch” button will become available in the store itself.

The Bat!

The Bat! is a paid software for managing email from the developer Ritlabs. It allows you to work with an unlimited number of accounts and protects your email using encryption protocols.

You can fine-tune The Bat! to suit your needs

The program has the following features:

convenient system of letter templates;
selective downloading of messages;
offline address book;
easy setting of parameters;
Russian language support;
built-in support for RSS feeds;
automatic sorting of letters and much more.

A possible disadvantage of the program is incorrect work with HTML letters. There are also a relatively small number of add-ons available for installation.

There are two versions of The Bat! - for home and professional use. They cost 2 thousand and 3 thousand rubles respectively. The functionality of the professional version is a little broader. There is a 30-day trial period initially. Let's tell you how to use it:

Go to the official website of the developer Ritlabs. Select the desired option from the list depending on the system architecture. Click on the “Download” link.
Select your bit depth and click on the orange “Download” button
Launch the file downloaded using the browser. Click Next in the initial window of the installation wizard.
On the next page, we accept the terms of the agreement and put a check mark next to the appropriate item.
If desired, select a new folder for storing The Bat! and click on Next.
Select a folder for The Bat! and click on Next
At the final stage, click on Install. The installation will start, after which you will be able to use the program.
Click Install to begin installing The Bat!

Video: how to install The Bat!

Inky

Inky is a free product from Arcode that provides its customers with an increased level of security when working with mail. It's all about additional protection - a special method of data encryption.

Thanks to Inky, no one will be able to access your mail, because the program uses special encryption

The utility has the following advantages:

convenient and at the same time unusual interface;
built-in correspondence search;
synchronization with cloud services;
change in shell color;
automatic sorting of letters by relevance;
marking permanent contacts in the list with a drop icon;
sorting contacts, with important ones moving to the top of the list, and much more.

The application has a downside - the lack of a Russian version and a portable version. The system requirements of the program are as follows:

processor with a clock speed of 800 MHz or more powerful;
RAM 512 MB or more;
free hard disk space from 97 MB;
32-bit or 64-bit architecture (x86 or x64);
operating system Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.

Downloading and installing the program is very simple:

Go to the developer’s website to safely download the installer. Click on the Windows link.
Click on the Windows link on the developer's website to download the installer
We are waiting for the 55 MB file to download. After that, open it and click on the first page on I Agree.
Click on I Accept to agree to Inky's terms of use
Then click on Next, having previously selected the Inky component.
Make sure Inky is checked and click Next

Each user can choose an email client according to their needs. If you need a utility for professional use, download Outlook or Zimbra Desktop. If you're concerned about the security of your email, use Inky or The Bat!. For lovers of stylish designs, Mailbird or Touchmail will suit you.

We have created our own top ten email programs, in which we describe in detail each application presented in this list.
So, let's go.

Comparison table

Read also: Maintaining anonymity: 10 services for registering temporary mail

Email client name		Price
		Free	Website
		Free	Website
		It is possible to purchase a monthly subscription for 269 rubles, or buy the program offline for 7,499 rubles	Website
		Since 2018 Available only for the corporate sector	Website
		There are two versions: Lite – free; Pro – subscription costs $12 for one calendar month; A lifetime subscription costs $45.	Website
		Free	Website
		Free	Website
		Free	Download
		Free	Website
		Free	Download

Read also: [Instructions] How to create an email on an Android smartphone absolutely free

Perhaps one of the most famous email clients is the Opera mail program.

It is completely free, which is good news.

It is worth noting that this resource is an integral part of the Opera browser. With this you can easily send and receive emails.

For those people who are browser users, the email client is ideal since it has a similar appearance and software of the same name.

The program supports protocols such as pops, imap, smtp;
The application has a built-in function that suppresses spam;
The email client has a user-friendly interface;
The program is especially convenient for those users who have the Windows 7 operating system installed on their personal computer;
The program is equipped with thematic sorting of emails. The rules for distributing messages by topic are programmed by the user himself.
Using this application, you can view an unlimited number of emails, thanks to the comfortable transition between tabs.

Download

Read also: Google account contacts: how to find, save, move, delete, restore, synchronize + Reviews

The next email client, Mozilla Thunderbird, is ideal for many users as it has all the features one could ever dream of.

The developers of this program did a great job, because the email client differs from its competitors in its excellent security system, which will prevent third parties from acquiring your personal information.

Distinctive features of the email client:

This program, like the previous one, supports protocols such as smtp, imap;
It is possible to log into the email client remotely;
The application is quite easy to customize;
The program allows you to manage several mailboxes at once and receive messages in a single folder;
Comfortable tab system, as well as a convenient address book;
It is possible to easily filter letters;
The application allows you to check the spelling of a letter you have written.

Beginners will appreciate the feature that allows you to quickly search for a specific email.

This email client has multiple languages. The program can be used in forty languages, which include Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian and other CIS languages.

There is a lot of additional content on the Internet that can be installed in addition to the standard functionality of this email client.

Download

Read also: How to create an email on gmail: Complete instructions 2018

The next email client that we must tell you about is the Koma-mail program.

In this application you will not find the functionality that we described in the above email clients.

But this utility can be installed on a flash drive. Koma-Mail occupies a leading position among free email clients that can be installed on .

Distinctive features of the Koma-Mail email client:

It is also worth noting the convenience of this email client when working in Windows.

After all, the convenience of using this application lies in the simple coordination of managing the contact list, the availability of a calendar, and the availability of work in Russian, Ukrainian and other CIS languages.

It should be noted that the application can work in nineteen available languages.

Thus, the program has many advantages, so it can be an excellent replacement for paid email clients.

Download

Read also: How to recover a Google account: The most effective ways + Reviews

Email client The Bat! is not inferior in functionality to previous programs.

Here you will not see unnecessary services that can interfere with your work, however, the application has settings that will help ensure fast and comfortable work.

Features of The Bat! email client software:

increased degree of protection of personal data of Windows program clients;
the ability to work using an unlimited number of accounts;
automated sorting of correspondence;
built-in support for RSS channels;
Russian-language user-friendly interface;
the program works with high-quality anti-spam protection;
ease of control and parameter settings.

There are two versions of The Bat! mail service:

professional;
homemade.

Despite the many advantages of using this email client, The disadvantages include some omissions in correct work with HTML letters.

Otherwise, the program is quite worthy and in demand.

Download

If you do not like the functionality of the above email clients, then in this case you should turn your attention to the SeaMonkey program.

Because it is in this application that there is a wide range of settings and useful tools.

Distinctive features of the email client:

The application is equipped with an RSS aggregator;
With this program it is possible to send instant messages;
It is possible to use several email accounts at once;
The application allows you to create messages in text format;
The program's security system actively combats spam.

As mentioned above, this program includes a large number of settings, but this fact does not in any way affect the organization of work with electronic mailboxes.

It is worth noting that there is a portable version of this email client; such an application does not need to be installed on your personal computer

It should be noted that the advantages of the application also include its beautiful and versatile appearance.

The developers of this application are well aware that many of their users want to have an email client on their personal computer that is not the same as everyone else’s.

It is for this reason that the Mailbird team recently presented the following solutions that will help emphasize individuality:

Choice of colors;
Combination of hot buttons;
Customizing user interface panels.

Mail client "Inky"

The Inky email client is one of the most beautiful and modern programs. It is worth noting that this application is absolutely, which is good news.

Using this program, it is possible to work with several email mailboxes at once, and there is also a function of cloud synchronization and comfortable visualization, which has a choice of theme color.

The manufacturers of this email client have provided the program with automatic sorting of incoming and outgoing emails by relevance.

Messages from regular contacts are marked with a blue drop. This sign signifies the highest importance of the message.

The program will automatically mark persistent spam with bright drops and move it down the list.

Sooner or later, any Internet user gets a mailbox. You can work with it directly in the browser or using special programs - email clients. All users are familiar with the web interface, one way or another. At a minimum, you need to use it to register a mailbox. There are dozens of programs for working with e-mail, and understanding them in order to choose one worthy of attention is not so easy. Today we will look at free email clients for Windows and the opportunities they offer the user.

To put the programs under consideration on an equal footing, each was subject to the same set of requirements.

Easy to install and configure.
Ability to connect Russian accounts.
IMAP/POP protocol support.
Integration with cloud services and social networks.
Implementation of transfer or import of contacts.
Convenience of the interface.

Mozilla Thunderbird

The development of Burevestnik is carried out by Mozilla Corporation, the same one that produces the Firefox browser. The program is cross-platform and distributed under a triple free license.

Setting up Thunderbird begins during installation. During the process, you can independently select the set of required components.

At the first launch, you are prompted to integrate with the system. In addition to the standard function of an email client, the program can receive newsletters in Atom or RSS formats.

Mail setup is performed in semi-automatic mode. To connect Google, Yandex or Mail.ru accounts, you just need to indicate your existing address and access password. Thunderbird takes the parameters for connecting to the server from its own database. The protocol is selected manually. By default, the connection is made in IMAP mode.

To communicate on social networks, chat accounts are set up. It is possible to integrate with Facebook and Twitter. IRC and Jabber/XMPP protocols are supported. In the Russian-speaking segment of the network, they have lost popularity, giving way to mobile messengers.

Sending large attachments can be done using the cloud service Box (not to be confused with Dropbox). Upon registration, the user receives 10 GB of disk space. On a free account, the uploaded file size is limited to 250 MB.

You can transfer data, including contacts, messages, and filters from another email program, using the wizard.

If you have not used an email client before, you can import your contact database from the web version by first saving it to a file.

The Thunderbird interface was developed using the same XUL markup language as the Firefox browser. Thanks to this, the application is able to adapt to the environment in which it is used. As a result, by installing an email client for Windows 7, you will receive Aero-style frames and colored window control buttons.

Tabbed technology allows you to use all built-in features in one window. Additionally, the appearance of the program can be changed using themes, and the functionality can be expanded using add-ons.

As a result of installing Thunderbird, the user receives a flexible email client with many settings. Online help is available, entirely in Russian. The presence of a portable version, placed on a flash drive, allows you to use the program on any computer with network access.

eM Client

The young American company positions its software product as a replacement for MS Outlook. Users familiar with its interface from the Microsoft Office suite will find it easy to adapt to.

Once installation is complete, the program is ready to completely replace the standard email client for Windows 10.

The eM Client email client is available in two configurations: Free and Pro. Initially, the user gets a month to fully test the capabilities. Before it expires, you need to decide whether you will purchase a license or receive a free key for the free version. If you do not take into account VIP support and the ability to use for commercial purposes, the only difference between them is the number of supported accounts. The free version requires you to limit yourself to two active email addresses.

At launch, the user is prompted to transfer existing accounts or configure them themselves. The demo version has no restrictions and recognized all three test accounts. After entering the “@” sign, you are prompted to substitute the domain ending, including Russian servers.

There is no choice between transmission protocols. The program is automatically configured in IMAP mode.

The user has a choice of integration with five online calendar services, including Google and iCloud. To download a list of contacts, integration with these services is also possible. Thus, you can synchronize the contact database accumulated on your mobile device with your email program. Linking to iCloud in the Windows environment is a rare phenomenon, and it will be in demand by users of Apple mobile devices.

Implemented support for the XMPP protocol and connection to Hangouts chats. In the calendar settings there is the ability to integrate with the AccuWeather weather server.

The user's location can only be indicated in English, but the forecast is accurate and updated in real time. As a result, weather icons appear next to the dates; clicking on them opens a brief weather report.

The program does not have built-in support for cloud services, but it does have a convenient function for previewing and quickly saving the contents of attachments.

In addition to supporting popular contact storage services, the user has the option of manually transferring them from another program or service.

eM Client provides several presets for displaying the address book. In addition to the traditional list, you can view contact cards and even sort them by geographic location.

The appearance of the program can be changed using ten built-in themes. Additional changes made to the preset style can be saved. The principle of implementing this feature is similar to how personalization settings work in Windows.

The appearance style and location of the main controls have been redesigned, but the general focus on replacing the office email client is visible.

Despite the fact that the eM Client interface has been completely translated into Russian, you will have to understand the additional features of the program by studying the English help. The paid version with support for an unlimited number of accounts will cost the user 1,795 RUR. If you can manage with two boxes, you can get a free license key.

Opera Mail

The mail program for Windows Opera Mail is actually a separate M2 client, which was previously built into the browser of the same name. Users who have used it will recognize the design style.

Of all the programs considered, Opera has the smallest distribution size. Installs quickly and is the only one to place its icon in the Windows taskbar.

With such intrusiveness, the program initially determined the OS version and bit depth incorrectly.

As part of testing, we enter all accounts manually, not allowing settings to be imported. Opera's first problems appeared when setting up Google mail. As it turned out, Good Corporation included the program in the list of unreliable applications. After making the necessary changes in the security settings, the account was connected.

Of the Russian servers, Opera easily connected only to Yandex. For Mail.ru, all connection parameters had to be entered manually.

One good thing worth noting is the ability to manually select a protocol between POP3 and IMAP.

The program settings cannot even be called poor, they simply do not exist. The maximum that the user can do in this “separately living tab” is to change the fonts and encoding of messages.

Import of contacts, integration with cloud services and social networks are not provided.

Zimbra Desktop

The program's developers position it as a tool for collaboration. Zimbra cross-platform products are free software with available source code and have their own version of the public license.

When installing, the program requires the Java Oracle Runtime Environment to be installed on your computer. It includes the minimum set of components required to run java applications on Windows.

Java Runtime Environment is freely distributed and can be downloaded from the company's official page.

Zimbra easily connected to Google and Mail.ru accounts, but Yandex identified its requests as spam. Russian servers are configured entirely manually. The user must select a protocol and independently specify the connection type.

Additional program settings allow you to change notification and mail display settings. Personalized account settings include the creation of separate filters, signatures and ready-made sample letters. The internal division of the working window into zones has three standard presets.

To integrate additional services, Zimbra implements a mechanism for add-ons, so-called “zimlets”. With their help, you can organize the transfer of correspondence and contacts from any program. Considering that the application is cross-platform, import is supported not only from Windows applications.

The allowed size of attachments in a message is 750 MB. In the Zimbra gallery, the user is offered add-ons for integration with any third-party services: social networks, instant messengers, office software packages, weather services.

In fact, the program is a universal “harvester” for team work, in which e-mail is only one of the functions. For a home user, its functionality will be superfluous, but for a small office it will be a real boon.

Claws Mail

Let's finish our review of email clients for Windows using a guest from a UNIX environment, the Claws Mail program. This free software is a version of a Linux application developed based on elements of GTK+.

When installed, Claws Mail does not require any additional components and is immediately ready to use.

Setting up accounts in the program is performed in semi-automatic mode. It is enough to specify the mailing address and connection protocol. Claws will add the receiving and sending servers itself, including for Russian services.

During the setup process, the program will ask you to confirm the reliability of the secure connection certificate. All three test accounts, including Google, were identified as unknown publishers. After receiving the user's consent, the program accepts them and works stably.

Changing the appearance is possible through additional themes obtained in the tar.gz archive format. To check spelling, the program uses a Russian language dictionary from the free Open Office package. The download link is indicated directly in the settings.

Importing contacts from other Windows programs or files is not possible. To quickly fill your address book, you can use automatic address collection. You can enable it entirely for a folder or for selected messages.

Externally and functionally, Claws Mail resembles a simplified version of the well-known The Bat program, but it is distributed free of charge.

In conclusion

According to the criteria under consideration, the best email client for Windows among free programs is Mozilla Thunderbird. Extensibility and flexibility of settings allow you to use it with any accounts.

Second place should be given to Claws Mail. An ideal email program that does not require resources. There is nothing superfluous in it, and each parameter can be “adjusted” to the user’s needs.

eM Client takes honorable third place. It is convenient, expandable, but limited in the number of accounts.

Zimbra Desktop is too powerful a “tool” for private use, and Opera Mail has not yet grown from a “separate browser tab” into a full-fledged email client.

There are a whole bunch of email programs for Windows and Mac, but many of us still continue to use services through a web browser. Maybe there are good reasons for this? Today we are looking into email clients - what are the benefits of them, what are the harms, and is it even possible to find the ideal one?

Let's start, as usual, with the good. Email clients have many advantages over their web options.

No advertising or other junk information

On the mail page in a web browser, along with letters, a lot of unnecessary information appears. Annoying advertisements, news, links to other services, pop-up tips and tricks - all this is terribly annoying. Email clients lack all this, especially if you use the paid version.

You can connect several boxes at once and not get confused

Most often, we use several mailboxes at once, and on different services. For example, one address is work, another is personal, the third is for secondary information that is sent to the post office after registering in online stores, forums, services, and so on.

Switching between links in the browser to have instant access to the contents of the boxes is inconvenient: to do this, they must always be open in the browser. And there will be one email client, no matter how many accounts you have.

You can view letters even if there is no Internet

Typically, when you use an email application, emails are saved on your computer. This means you can view incoming and sent messages even when you are not connected to the network. When working through a browser, this option will not be available for obvious reasons: no Internet means no mailboxes.

No need to keep watch at the mailbox

To instantly notify about a new incoming message, you need to either keep tabs with mailboxes open, or install some kind of browser plugin - both options are quite inconvenient. In addition, even a plugin will not save you when you close your web browser - an important letter will arrive, but you will not see it right away.

Mail clients themselves contact the servers and request information about new letters. If the answer is positive, you immediately receive a notification that is difficult to miss.

But!

Email clients also have a lot of disadvantages. Here are the nastiest ones.

They have so many functions that you won't be able to figure them out right away.

While browser versions of mailboxes are made as simple as possible, developers often get carried away with applications, stuffing them with all sorts of options, functions and settings that most users don’t care about.

As a result, instead of just adding mailboxes and enjoying life, you have to delve into the jungle of the interface, trying to find where to set the signature and how to disable the stupid spell checker.

Multiplatform is a total disaster.

If you often work with mail on different devices with different operating systems, then applications will hardly be called a suitable solution. And then there’s the addictive effect: if you’re “stuck” to one application, then it’s inconvenient to use another, even if they have the same functionality.

Importing contacts can be difficult

While browsers have at the very least learned to pull up each other's history and logins with passwords, email applications have not always done this successfully. Usually the problem occurs when importing contacts from another application, not the web version.

As a rule, there are no problems with large solutions (Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird). In the settings, select an item like “Export”, create a file with contacts, then in the new client click on “Import” or a similar button, and the document is added.

Less common or not very recent applications may use their own formats to store data, and then you will have to suffer a lot, transferring what you need to other services, for example Google Contacts.

Security is also not very clear.

Any program has vulnerabilities, and email clients are no exception. There is an opinion among experts that the more archaic the application, the more reliable it is, because there are no loopholes for hacking in the form of additional scripts and extensions. Mutt can be considered a kind of standard, but in 2017 only the most severe paranoids will be able to use it without pain in the eyes - this application is ungodly outdated in design and convenience fifteen years ago.

So do you need an email client and if so, which one?

We at the site are confident that the pros outweigh the cons, and with an email program it is still better than without it. The problem is that there are no perfect mailers, so you still have to turn a blind eye to the shortcomings.

So we have selected the best email clients for different platforms: some are on Windows, others on OS X, others on both, and you decide which one suits you best.

Microsoft Outlook

The application is convenient due to tight integration with other Windows services and is great for work email. For example, there is a link to the to-do list and calendar, which will help optimize your work and make it more comfortable. Microsoft Outlook is also okay with multi-platform functionality: in addition to desktop operating systems, the application is available for iOS and Android.

The problem is that the Outlook client is included in the Office 365 package, the personal version of which is priced at 2,699 rubles per year. You will receive Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other standard programs. If you specifically need Microsoft Outlook, then hold on - it is a one-time purchase and costs 8199 rubles. Given the availability of many free analogues, this is, to put it mildly, an exorbitant amount.

Apple Mail

The standard application for OS X has decent functionality - you can get by with it. The client is free and comes straight with the Mac operating system. Work with the main services is supported: Google, Yahoo! and others. Among the pleasant bonuses is the ability to slightly edit the image attached to the letter by adding a comment or highlighting the desired area.

The problem is that This is an email client for Apple devices only.

Mailbird

The free mail client Mailbird captivates with its laconic, but at the same time very modern appearance, which can also be customized indefinitely. In addition, you can set combinations for hot keys: switching between folders, replying to all participants in the correspondence, and so on, this greatly speeds up the work.

The client has synchronization not only with regular services - Dropbox, Google Calendar, Todoist, but also with social networks and instant messengers - Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp.

The free version supports up to three accounts, while the paid version ($1 per month/$22.5 lifetime) has no limit. In addition, the Pro version has another useful feature - the ability to postpone an incoming message until later, so that after a specified time you will receive a second reminder about the received message.

The problem is that Mailbird is an email client for Windows and only for it.

Spark

This is an email program for Apple technology: the application appeared first on iOS, and then reached OS X and watchOS. Spark follows the logic of the popular Mailbox, which closed a year ago. The main folder stores new and important emails, and when they are no longer relevant to you, you can move them to the archive.

The service is free and works quickly. You can set parameters for a quick response, such as “Thank you”, “OK” and so on.

The problem is that In the desktop version, at first it’s unusual to work with gestures, but if you use a trackpad or Magic Mouse, the controls will be quite intuitive. For example, to delete a letter or move it to another folder, you can hover the cursor and move it left or right: this will display several options. In addition, along with swipes, you can select regular buttons to select a letter or move it to another folder.

AirMail

Another popular email client for Mac and iPad/iPhone with Apple Watch is also controlled by gestures. There is also support for the TouchBar in the new MacBook Pro. Flexible settings, integration with third-party services, support for smart sorting and the ability to connect a bunch of accounts - all this makes AirMail one of the best alternative email clients for Apple devices.

The problem is that AirMail has a paid distribution model. The desktop version costs 749 rubles, the mobile version costs 379 rubles. Is it worth paying when free analogues are no worse?

Thunderbird

The mail application was created by Mozilla, the developers of the well-known Firefox browser. The program, like a web browser, is flexible in configuration and has a bunch of extensions - useful and not so useful. There is support for modern security systems: suspicious emails are flagged, URLs are checked for authenticity, and automatic loading of attached pictures is blocked. Most importantly, Thunderbird is a completely free email client. No trial versions or reduced functionality.

The problem is that Thunderbird is completely unceremonious with your computer's resources. Firstly, the function of archiving folders and cleaning up deleted folders does not always work, as a result of which a lot of space on the hard drive is wasted, and secondly, the client also likes to eat up RAM.

The Bat!

This email client is extremely laconic and undemanding in terms of resources. But the application provides a high degree of security: data is encrypted on the hard drive, and the letters themselves are processed using the SSL and TLS protocols. True, you will have to pay for this: the Home version costs 2,000 rubles, and for the Professional version, which offers even more advanced protection, you will have to pay 3,000 rubles.

The problem is that design by The Bat! - from the last century, and even then the developers hardly bothered with it. Everything looks very simple and faceless.

Inky

A free email client with a modern design, it works under Microsoft Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. The mail application supports an unlimited number of mail records and can automatically sort letters by importance, which is especially pleasing when there are a lot of messages. In addition, you can manually set relevance settings: messages from which contacts to move to the top of the list.

The problem is that support for Google Apps, Office 365, Microsoft Exchange and a number of other useful services is available only by subscription, and you will have to pay $5 per month for it.