Windows 7 has you looking for an email program — possibly the best free email program for Windows, of course? It does not exist. There are many free email programs, though, and at least one perfect for you.
Naturally, you will approach this list leisurely. You will peek at the descriptions, study the reviews, marvel at the screenshots, try a few free clients and inspect what email programs others prefer. Identifying your perfect free email program will be a lot of fun!
PS: Looking for free email, you may also like free email services.
› Nominate your favorite Windows email program now for the About.com 2012 Readers' Choice Awards.
(Updated January 2012)
1. Mozilla Thunderbird - Free Windows Email Program
Mozilla Messaging
Mozilla Thunderbird is a fully featured, secure and very functional email client and RSS feed reader. It lets you handle mail efficiently and with style, and Mozilla Thunderbird filters away junk mail too.
Mozilla Thunderbird Review | Mozilla Thunderbird Resources | Top 50 Mozilla Thunderbird Tips | All Mozilla Thunderbird Tips
Mozilla Thunderbird Review | Mozilla Thunderbird Resources | Top 50 Mozilla Thunderbird Tips | All Mozilla Thunderbird Tips
2. Opera - Free Windows Email Program
Opera Software
The Opera email client is a slick and flexible interface that will satisfy almost all your email needs, and Opera integrates RSS feeds in this experience as well. Some may find the message editor lacking a bit in power, and the absence of support for encrypted email is unfortunate.
Opera Review | Opera Resources | Opera Tips
Opera Review | Opera Resources | Opera Tips
3. Windows Live Mail - Free Windows Email Program
Heinz Tschabitscher
Windows Live Mail is a comfortable email program that lets you access IMAP, POP and Windows Live Hotmail accounts with verve and ambition to connect with Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Calendar, your blog and RSS news feeds, too. Windows Live Mail offers solid spam filters, fast search and a few ready-made search folders, but it could do better helping you organize and manage mail.
Windows Live Mail Review | Windows Live Mail Resources | Windows Live Mail Tips
Windows Live Mail Review | Windows Live Mail Resources | Windows Live Mail Tips
4. Pegasus Mail - Free Windows Email Program
David Harris
Pegasus Mail is one of the most powerful, secure and generally best email programs available for Windows, but the interface could need some polishing to make its features more accessible.
Pegasus Mail Review | Pegasus Mail Resources | Pegasus Mail Tips
Pegasus Mail Review | Pegasus Mail Resources | Pegasus Mail Tips
5. IncrediMail - Free Windows Email Program
IncrediMail
IncrediMail is a fun and easy to use email client that adds spice to the messages you send while protecting you from spam, phishing and fraud attempts in a convenient manner. Unfortunately, IncrediMail lacks some productivity features if you have to deal with large amounts of mail.
IncrediMail Review | IncrediMail Resources | Top 50 IncrediMail Tips | All IncrediMail Tips
IncrediMail Review | IncrediMail Resources | Top 50 IncrediMail Tips | All IncrediMail Tips
6. Mulberry - Free Windows Email Program
Heinz Tschabitscher
Mulberry is a powerful and incredibly versatile email client available for all the popular platforms. If there is something Mulberry lacks, it is simplicity.
7. Foxmail - Free Windows Email Program
Heinz Tschabitscher
Foxmail is a nice email client with lots of great features that make email easy and fun. Unfortunately, it doesn't support IMAP accounts and its message editor lacks basic text (re-)formatting tools.
8. DreamMail - Free Windows Email Program
Heinz Tschabitscher
DreamMail manages email and RSS feeds handily and handsomely with stationery, labels and related message search. Unfortunately, international language support is limited, DreamMail's spam filter seems ineffective, and IMAP accounts are not supported.
9. Alpine - Free Windows Email Program
Heinz Tschabitscher
Alpine is powerful console email program that makes you use email productively with automation aplenty and nary a distraction.
10. Sylpheed - Free Windows Email Program
Heinz Tschabitscher
Sylpheed is a surprisingly versatile email client. 'Surprisingly' because it has a friendly, easy to use interface to its many useful features.
11. i.Scribe - Free Windows Email Program
Heinz Tschabitscher
InScribe and its free version, i.Scribe, are true little email program gems. They're small, fast, efficient and very usable. Unfortunately, they lack secure messaging, and the IMAP support in Scribe is not perfect.
Disagree?
Please do let me know!
