# Alternatives to eM Client

Full-featured desktop client with one-time license.

eM Client ranks #1 of 22 in Email clients, with an Alt Score of 96. It is proprietary, freemium from €39.95/year and available on Windows, macOS, iOS and Android. 11 of 11 checklist rows are verified against a public source.

Source: https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/em-client/
Category: Email clients

## Overview

- **Who it's for**: Windows and macOS users (with Android/iOS apps also available) who want a single desktop client for email, calendar, and contacts across multiple accounts — including individuals seeking an Outlook alternative and businesses running Exchange or Office 365.
- **What you get**: An integrated inbox, calendar, task list, notes, and chat in one application. It connects to IMAP, POP3, Exchange, Office 365, and Gmail/Google Workspace accounts, and includes PGP/S-MIME message encryption, inbox categorization rules, and message translation. A free tier covers up to two accounts for personal use; paid Personal and Business plans remove account limits and add features like server-side rules.
- **How it works**: You install the app on desktop (or mobile) and add one or more email accounts via auto-detected or manual server settings, after which mail, calendar, and contacts sync into a unified interface where you manage messages, schedule events, and organize tasks from a single window.

## Profile

- **License**: Proprietary (verified 2026-07-12)
- **Pricing model**: Freemium (verified 2026-07-12)
- **Starts at**: €39.95/year (verified 2026-07-12)
- **Platforms**: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
- **Status**: active (verified 2026-07-12)

## Ranked alternatives

| # | App | Alt Score | Licence | Platforms |
|---|-----|-----------|---------|-----------|
| 1 | [BlueMail](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/bluemail.md) | 92 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS |
| 2 | [Canary Mail](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/canary-mail.md) | 92 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| 3 | [The Bat!](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/the-bat.md) | 92 | Proprietary | Windows |
| 4 | [Apple Mail](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/apple-mail.md) | 87 | Proprietary | macOS, iOS |
| 5 | [FairEmail](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/fairemail.md) | 87 | GPL-3.0 | Android |
| 6 | [Mailbird](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/mailbird.md) | 87 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS |
| 7 | [Evolution](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/evolution.md) | 84 | LGPL-2.1 | Linux |
| 8 | [Mailspring](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/mailspring.md) | 84 | GPL-3.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| 9 | [Missive](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/missive.md) | 84 | Proprietary | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS |
| 10 | [Outlook](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/outlook.md) | 84 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| 11 | [Thunderbird](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/thunderbird.md) | 76 | MPL-2.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| 12 | [Spark](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/spark.md) | 71 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| 13 | [NeoMutt](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/neomutt.md) | 68 | GPL-2.0 | Linux, macOS |
| 14 | [Shortwave](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/shortwave.md) | 68 | Proprietary | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS |
| 15 | [Postbox](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/postbox.md) | 63 | Proprietary | macOS, Windows |
| 16 | [Mimestream](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/mimestream.md) | 60 | Proprietary | macOS |
| 17 | [Aqua Mail](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/aqua-mail.md) | 55 | Proprietary | Android |
| 18 | [Superhuman](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/superhuman.md) | 55 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| 19 | [Geary](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/geary.md) | 50 | LGPL-2.1-or-later | Linux |
| 20 | [K-9 Mail](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/k-9-mail.md) | 47 | Apache-2.0 | Android |
| 21 | [aerc](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/aerc.md) | 42 | MIT | Linux, macOS |

Alt Score = Verified coverage (90%) + Visibility (10%). See https://altcatalog.com/how-alt-score-works/

## Feature comparison

Legend: Yes / No / Partial / ? (not verified).

| Email clients checklist | eM Client | BlueMail | Canary Mail | The Bat! | Apple Mail | FairEmail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium | Freemium | One-time | Free | Free |
| Starts at | €39.95/year | ? | $3/month | €47.95 one-time (Home Edition) | ? | ? |
| License | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | GPL-3.0 |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Windows | macOS, iOS | Android |
| Protocols (IMAP / POP3 / JMAP / Exchange) | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unified inbox | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Snooze & send later | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes | Yes |
| Tracking pixel blocking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PGP / encryption support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes |
| Conversation view | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Offline mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rules & filters (local) | Yes | Partial | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Calendar integrated | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | Partial |
| Multiple identities/aliases | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard-first shortcuts | Partial | Partial | Partial | Partial | Partial | ? |

## Sources

Sources for eM Client. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.

- **License**: Proprietary — <https://www.emclient.com/licensing> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Quote: “A Free eM Client license gives users access to email, calendar, contacts, and task management.”
- **Pricing model**: Freemium — <https://www.emclient.com/pricing> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Quote: “Free license is limited for personal, non‑commercial use.”
- **Starts at**: €39.95/year — <https://www.emclient.com/pricing> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Quote: “1-year subscription 39,95 €”
- **Platforms**: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android — <https://www.emclient.com/blog/em-client-for-ios-and-android-is-officially-here-671> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Quote: “eM Client has reached new heights by expanding its compatibility, enabling users to access their preferred mail application on a broader range of devices – introducing the addition of iOS and Android ”
- **Status**: active — <https://www.emclient.com/release-history?os=mac> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Quote: “eM Client 10.4 Service Update - Bug fixes”
- **Protocols (IMAP / POP3 / JMAP / Exchange)**: Yes — <https://www.emclient.com/em-with-microsoft-exchange> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Quote: “eM Client is a desktop email client with full MS Exchange synchronization.”
- **Unified inbox**: Yes — <https://www.emclient.com/mobile-features> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Quote: “Easily stay on top of all your new messages from numerous accounts thanks to the All Inboxes folder!”
- **Snooze & send later**: Yes — <https://www.emclient.com/mobile-features> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Quote: “Be in charge of your Inbox and snooze any messages that can wait - leaving you to focus on the new messages that need to be dealt with right away.”
- **Tracking pixel blocking**: Yes — <https://www.emclient.com/pricing> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Quote: “Missing premium features: thread view, notes, tracking pixel blocking, snooze email, watch for reply, mass mail, undo send, send email later, and more”
- **PGP / encryption support**: Yes — <https://www.emclient.com/mobile-features> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Quote: “Keep your email communication secure with message encryption. Send and receive encrypted messages and protect your privacy with easy-to-set PGP encryption or S/MIME certificates.”
- **Conversation view**: Yes — <https://www.emclient.com/mobile-features> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Quote: “Group your messages into relevant threads to easily read all messages.”
- **Offline mode**: Yes — <https://www.emclient.com/offline-mode-meaning> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Quote: “You can complete your usual tasks – such as reading and replying to messages in your inbox.”
- **Rules & filters (local)**: Yes — <https://www.emclient.com/faq-em-client-features> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Quote: “You can set up and manage some of the rules directly on the server for Exchange, Gmail and IceWarp accounts.”
- **Calendar integrated**: Yes — <https://www.emclient.com/mobile-features> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Quote: “Local and synchronized calendars are fully integrated – accept invitations from your emails, create events and choose a layout that fits your needs, including Three-Day view.”
- **Multiple identities/aliases**: Yes — <https://www.emclient.com/faq-em-client-features> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Quote: “You can change the Reply-to address for your messages via the Menu>Message>Reply to address option...You can either select one of your eM Client accounts or use a custom address.”
- **Keyboard-first shortcuts**: Partial — <https://www.emclient.com/faq-em-client-features> (verified 2026-07-12)
  - Quote: “You can easily navigate between the left-side menu items using the CTRL and 1 - 7 keys. You can change these shortcuts in Menu > Settings > General > Shortcuts.”

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Ranked by verified data, never by who paid. https://altcatalog.com/trust/