5 Best Free Windows Email Programs for 2024

Ditch Outlook and access your mail with a free email client

To check your email and send messages straight from your desktop, you need an email program. Here are a few of the very best free email programs for Windows.

The email programs in this list each offer distinct features. Some apps display mail differently or have additional options for notifications or security, but they all have one thing in common: They can access email from nearly every email provider.

The offline mail programs listed below are great for accessing mail from your regular email address, but they most likely will not work with providers that encrypt email.

01
of 05

eM Client

eM Client email program for Windows
What We Like
  • Simple interface that's easy to use.

  • Includes a long list of uncommon features.

  • Includes a built-in calendar, chat tool, and place to keep tasks.

  • Can import mail from other programs.

  • The editor has lots of formatting options.

What We Don't Like
  • You can use only two email accounts simultaneously.

  • You can't build message templates.

eM Client is a free email program for Windows that has a clean, updated interface, works smoothly, and is great for anyone wanting a straightforward email program with advanced features. For example, you can:

  • Delay emails to have them sent later.
  • Set up email rules.
  • Build distribution lists.
  • Send replies automatically.
  • Delete duplicate emails easily.
  • Empty the trash folder every time you exit eM Client.
  • Customize notification sounds.
  • Password-protect the entire program.
  • Auto-backup your emails to any custom folder.
  • Download custom spell-checker dictionaries.
  • Configure custom keyboard shortcuts.
  • Set up QuickText for faster typing.
  • Translate emails.
  • Send mail to multiple people while masking each email address from the other recipients (via the mass mail feature).

You can buy eM Client for VIP support, the ability to connect an unlimited number of email accounts, and the option to use the program in a commercial setting.

02
of 05

Mozilla Thunderbird

Thunderbird free email program for Windows
What We Like
  • Uses tabbed browsing.

  • Lets you connect to multiple email accounts simultaneously.

  • Advanced message filters.

  • Lots of customizable settings.

What We Don't Like
  • Encrypting messages can be difficult to understand.

  • Could easily become overwhelming for novice computer users.

Mozilla Thunderbird is a fully featured, secure, capable email client and RSS feed reader. It lets you handle mail efficiently and with style, and like any good email program, it also filters away junk mail.

Thunderbird stands out from other free Windows email programs in many ways, such as supporting lots of add-ons, letting you download themes to customize the program's entire appearance, and granting full access to tweak its many settings and features.

03
of 05

Mail

Mail email program for Windows
What We Like
  • Clean, modern interface.

  • Rich editor for tables, pictures, freehand drawings, and more.

  • Lets you access more than one email account.

  • Lots of settings you can tweak.

  • Includes a built-in calendar.

What We Don't Like
  • Works on Windows 11 and 10 only.

  • Missing support for rules and filters.

  • You can't make email templates.

Mail is a product of Microsoft that works with Windows 11/10. This sleek app lets you sync multiple email accounts right to your desktop and comes with a calendar app.

This email program is pretty basic, so it doesn't include advanced filtering options or rules to auto-delete messages or move them around based on senders. However, Mail is ideal if you prefer a simple solution that lets you set up a new email account easily and integrates well with Windows.

04
of 05

Mailbird

Mailbird free email program for Windows
What We Like
  • Interface is clean and minimal, yet functional.

  • Integrates with various online services.

  • Includes color themes you can change.

  • Pick any custom sound as a new mail notification.

  • Automatically provides a free trial for Mailbird Pro.

What We Don't Like
  • Isn't free for commercial use.

  • Limits how many email accounts you can set up.

  • Missing features found in the Pro version, such as snoozing emails and quick preview for attachments.

  • Takes longer to install than most email clients.

  • Includes lots of ads.

Mailbird offers a solid, reasonably productive email experience. Not only do you get access to your email, but you can also connect to WhatsApp, Facebook, WeChat, FormSwift, Slack, Google Docs, Evernote, Dropbox, and other services.

This email program is fully functional in its free Lite form. If you want to remove the ads and have more features like the option to snooze emails and connect to more than just one email account at once, however, you have to upgrade to Mailbird Pro.

05
of 05

Mailspring

Mailspring free email program for Windows
What We Like
  • Much cleaner UI than most email programs.

  • Adding email accounts is a cinch.

  • Lots of settings can be customized.

  • Lets you try out some of the Pro features for free.

What We Don't Like
  • Limits how many email accounts you can add.

  • Missing lots of features found only in the Pro version.

Mailspring has a smooth, distraction-free user interface and is super-easy to set up, despite some advanced features. Unfortunately, not all of them are free; these are part of Mailspring's pro version.

Mailspring Pro offers support for scheduled emails, snoozing, link tracking, follow-up reminders, read receipts, and more. You can use some of these features in the basic/free edition but only a few times a week.

Was this page helpful?