The 5 Best Free Email Clients for Mac in 2024

Apple Mail, Thunderbird, and other favorites

A free email client, Apple Mail, comes installed and ready for use with macOS. If you're interested in what the Mail app can do compared to other alternatives, here are the best free email clients available for macOS.

01
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Apple Mail

Mac OS 10 Mail app inbox
What We Like
  • Included in the Mac operating system.

  • Supports smart folders and robust filters.

  • Markup tools for annotating photos or PDF attachments.

  • VIP user notifications.

What We Don't Like
  • Basic design with limited customization features.

  • No option to snooze emails.

The Apple Mail application that ships with macOS is an easy-to-use email client optimized for Macs. It can handle all your email accounts in one place and delivers convenient features such as smart folders, attachment markups, and VIP email alerts.

While it lacks some tools, such as a snooze feature, the Mail app delivers solid upgrades with each macOS update.

02
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Mozilla Thunderbird

Mozilla Thunderbird free email client
What We Like
  • Flexible filtering system.

  • Many available plug-ins.

  • Tabs for navigation.

  • Easy to configure.

What We Don't Like
  • Rudimentary design.

  • Not as user-friendly as other clients.

  • No longer in development.

Mozilla Thunderbird is a full-featured, secure, and functional email client. It lets you handle mail efficiently with smart folders and various add-ons and filters away junk mail.

Thunderbird is no longer in active development except for security updates, but it supplies a streamlined interface and a powerful email experience.

03
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Spark

Spark email client for macOS
What We Like
  • Clean, modern design.

  • Quick Replies function for short, templated responses.

  • Smart mailboxes.

  • Supports multiple email accounts.

What We Don't Like
  • Slow tech support.

  • Questionable privacy policy.

  • Doesn't support many services.

Spark is an impressive email program that auto-organizes your inboxes and allows you to postpone emails easily and send quick one-click replies. The Spark Smart Inbox sends important messages to the top of your inbox and uses intuitive categories such as Personal, Notifications, and Newsletters.

Spark's scheduling feature allows you to assign a period during which it will send a particular message. Select from times later today, in the evening, tomorrow, or any date.

04
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Mailspring

Mailspring email application
What We Like
  • Integrates with Gmail, iCloud, Microsoft 365, and others.

  • Supports snoozing.

  • Customizable with different layouts.

What We Don't Like
  • Some features limited to paid subscription.

  • Doesn't support Exchange accounts.

  • Mandatory Mailspring ID.

With the free version of Mailspring, you get a clean, customizable email program with functions like advanced search, signatures, and translation. You can also keep track of appointments with the handy RSVP feature and choose from different layouts and color schemes.

Some features, such as quick replies and mail scheduling, are limited to the paid Pro edition aimed at the professional email user.

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Mozilla SeaMonkey

SeaMonkey email client showing emails in the Inbox
What We Like
  • All-in-one internet suite that includes email.

  • Customizable toolbars.

What We Don't Like
  • Outdated interface.

  • Some features aren't intuitive.

  • No mobile device support.

You may be interested in SeaMonkey if you're an advanced user or a Mozilla fan. It's the email component of its open-source browser on the same Mozilla platform as Firefox, which also powers Mozilla Thunderbird. It delivers HTML5, hardware acceleration, and improved JavaScript speed.

It is a solid performer, full-featured, and usable, thanks to a dedicated community of users and developers.

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