Email

42 Best Free Linux Email Software

Last Updated on March 19, 2022

This article is scheduled for deletion. For great free and open source email software, read our Internet section.

Email is arguably one of the most popular and useful functions of a Linux system. Fortunately, there is a wide selection of free email software available on the Linux platform which is stable, feature laden, and ideal for personal and business environments. Send and receive emails, run a mail server, filter spam, administer a mailing list are just some of the options explored in this article.

To provide an insight into the quality of software that is available, we have compiled a list of 42 high quality Linux email applications, covering a broad spectrum of uses. There’s a mix of desktop and server based applications included. Hopefully, there will be something of interest for all types of users.

We previously published an article on excellent email software in 2008. Some of the tools featured in that article fell by the wayside. Given the length of time that has elapsed, we thought it best to update the article.

Now, let’s explore the 42 email applications at hand. For each title we have compiled its own portal page, providing a screenshot of the software in action (where appropriate), a full description with an in-depth analysis of its features, together with links to relevant resources and reviews.

Email Software
ThunderbirdPopular free, cross-platform e-mail, RSS and newsgroup client
MailspringNew version of Nylas Mail
EvolutionProvides integrated mail, addressbook and calendaring functionality
BalsaEmail client for GNOME
KMailEmail component of Kontact
Claws MailLightweight yet powerful and full-featured client
SylpheedSimple, lightweight client
GearyMail client for GNOME that is written in Vala
AlpineAlternatively Licensed Program for Internet News and Email
muttSmall but very powerful text based client
SupCurses threads-with tags style email client
RoundCubeBrowser-based multilingual IMAP client
MailpileClient with user-friendly encryption and privacy features
SquirrelMailWebmail package written in PHP
eGroupwareEnterprise ready web-based groupware suite
CitadelComplete and feature-rich groupware server
Horde GroupwarePopular full-featured groupware server
ZimbraZimbra Collaboration Suite
CourierIntegrated mail/groupware server
DBMailEnables storing and retrieving mail messages from a database
DovecotSecure POP3 server that supports mbox and maildir mailboxes
iRedMailMail server solution
EximHighly configurable mail transfer agent
PostfixPopular mail transfer agent
qmailWritten as a more secure replacement for the Sendmail program
SendmailMail transfer agent for sophisticated mail configurations
getmailFlexible, extensible mail retrieval system
procmailMail delivery agent
Postfix AdminManage mailboxes, virtual domains and aliases
EnigmailOpenPGP Email Security for Mozilla Applications
GnuPGEncrypt and sign data and communication
MailvelopeExtension for Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox
Scrollout F1Highly configurable email gateway for multiple domains and servers
ASSPPerl based transparent SMTP proxy server
PostgreyPostfix policy server implementing greylisting
MailScannerVirus scanner and spam detector
SpamAssassinPerl-based spam filter using text analysis
SpamBayesBayesian anti-spam classifier written in Python
MailmanManage electronic mail discussion and e-newsletter lists
SympaScalable and highly customizable modern mailing list manager
MajordomoPerl based mailing list manager
ezmlm-idxHighly automated mailing list manager
Best Free and Open Source SoftwareRead our complete collection of recommended free and open source software. Our curated compilation covers all categories of software.

The software collection forms part of our series of informative articles for Linux enthusiasts. There are hundreds of in-depth reviews, open source alternatives to proprietary software from large corporations like Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk.

There are also fun things to try, hardware, free programming books and tutorials, and much more.