Top Linux/UNIX Email Clients for Windows Converts

Mozilla Thunderbird running on Linux.
Faxe / Wikimedia Commons / GNU GPL
by Heinz Tschabitscher
An independent writer who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
Updated January 05, 2019

If you're coming from Windows to Linux, you might as well try something completely different and new. Or you can combine the reliability and creativity of your new operating system with the easy to use interface you know from Windows like these email programs do.

01
of 06

Evolution - Linux Email Program

What We Like

  • Virtual folders make it easy to organize and find messages.

  • Includes powerful a spam filtering program.

What We Don't Like

  • No flexible message templates.

  • Doesn't support format=flowed messages.

This wonderful email client, calendar, and groupware application not only looks like Outlook, it also matches Microsoft's email program in features and functionality.

02
of 06

Mozilla Thunderbird - Linux Email Program

What We Like

  • User-friendly tabbed interface includes a nice preview panel.

  • Supports an unlimited number of accounts.

What We Don't Like

  • Many features require you to install third party extensions.

  • Doesn't support all Microsoft Exchange Server capabilities.

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.

03
of 06

KMail - Linux Email Program

What We Like

  • Extensive filters streamline email management.

  • Message templates offer lots of customization.

What We Don't Like

  • The UI and sheer number of features can be overwhelming.

  • No internal spam filters or integration with other tools.

Integrated with the nice KDE desktop, KMail is powerful but easy to learn use, especially if you're coming from Windows.

04
of 06

Balsa - Linux Email Program

What We Like

  • Very lightweight and stable.

  • Easy to configure.

What We Don't Like

  • Rudimentary email editor doesn't support HTML.

  • You can only search by name.

Balsa is part of the Gnome desktop environment (which is just as nice as KDE), but it does not yet equal KMail in advanced features.

05
of 06

Sylpheed - Linux Email Program

What We Like

  • OpenPGP encryption and TLS/SSL support provide excellent security.

  • Integrates with Sylph-Searcher, a database-driven full-text search tool.

What We Don't Like

  • No support for HTML formatting.

  • Message editor imposes automatic text wrapping.

Sylpheed is a friendly email client with a particularly easy to use interface. There are a few things that Sylpheed does better than Balsa, and a few more where Balsa has an advantage.

06
of 06

Alpine - Linux Email Program

What We Like

  • Easy-to-learn keyboard shortcuts.

  • Fast interface even when managing massive amounts of mail.

What We Don't Like

  • Complicated setup process, especially for POP accounts.

  • No support for macros, scripts, or OpenPGP.

Alpine is powerful console email program that makes you use email productively with automation aplenty and nary a distraction.