The 5 Best Free Email Clients for Mac in 2023

Apple Mail, Thunderbird, and other favorites

Updated on January 6, 2023

Reviewed by

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.

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Apple Mail

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 to work on 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, with each macOS update, the Mail app delivers solid upgrades.

Learn About Apple Mail

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Mozilla Thunderbird

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.

Read Our Mozilla Thunderbird Review

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.

Download Mozilla Thunderbird

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Spark

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.

Read Our Spark Review

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 on any date.

Download Spark

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Mailspring

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 that includes 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.

Download Mailspring

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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.

If you're an advanced user or a Mozilla fan, you may be interested in SeaMonkey. 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.

Download Mozilla SeaMonkey

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