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Windows Mail App Top Alternatives in 2024

Windows Mail App Top Alternatives in 2024
Windows Mail App Top Alternatives in 2024

Though it has significant improvements compared to Windows Live Mail, the new Windows 10 Mail app still has drawbacks with its user experience. If the app’s downsides impact your email productivity, it’s worth considering these eight solid Windows 10 Mail alternatives, including Mailbird.

⚠️ IMPORTANT ⚠️ Microsoft recently announced its plans to discontinue Windows Mail and Calendar, and automatically migrate all users to Outlook beginning in August 2023. But this shouldn't be your only option. We believe that choice of tool and technology is the cornerstone of productivity. We believe that there's more to choice than having to accept an inevitable default option. We believe that the choice should be yours to make. So reclaim your inbox. We're presenting you with this in-depth analysis of alternative email clients to show you how much freedom you truly have. 📨💡🌐

Though it has significant improvements compared to Windows Live Mail, the new Windows 10 Mail app still has drawbacks with its user experience. If the app's downsides impact your email productivity, it's worth considering these eight solid Windows 10 Mail alternatives, including Mailbird.

In this article, we will compare different email clients side-by-side so that you can choose an effective replacement for Windows 10. We will highlight key features, pricing, and user reviews. So let's see which email client ticks all the boxes for your unique needs.

Windows Mail Overview

Windows Mail Interface
Windows Mail Interface

Windows Mail is a built-in email client you can use by default on Windows 10 devices. This might be the best free email client you get by default and a decent contender to commercial email clients because it offers various productivity features with every Windows OS version at no additional cost.

Features
  • Multiple calendars
  • Pin email to the top
  • Inbox linking
  • Personalized notifications
  • Keyword shortcuts
  • Phonetic search
  • Drag and drop attachment
  • Customizable backgrounds
  • Focused inbox
User Experience
  • Simple user interface
  • Standard three-pane screen layout
  • Syncs with Microsoft Office 365
  • Available on Mac and mobile
  • Out-dated user interface
  • Very limited customization
  • Limited flexibility with integration interface
Configuration
  • Enables IMAP and POP3 exchanges
  • Improved new user walk-through
  • Slow configuration
  • Problems with contact integration
  • Issues with mail synchronization
  • Limited software updates
Email Management
  • Unified inbox
  • Advanced search
  • Send later feature
  • Archive feature
  • Swiping gestures for mobile
  • No keyboard shortcuts
  • Basic filters
  • No customization
  • Moves slow
Customization
  • Change layout colors
  • Add email signature
  • Change the font
  • Major lack of customization
  • No templates
Security
  • Constantly updating security
  • Two factor verification option
  • Major security concerns
  • No technical support

7 Windows Mail App Alternatives

In this article, we are reviewing these seven email clients that are great alternatives to Windows 10 Mail:

  • Mailbird - clean design and powerful features
  • Thunderbird - versatile free option
  • Outlook - an alternative for Windows loyalists
  • Kiwi - exclusive to Gmail accounts
  • Spark - team collaboration functionality
  • Evolution - simple, no-frills interface
  • Claws Mail - an open-source option

Let's see how they compare to each other

Mailbird

Mailbird's sleek interface
Mailbird's sleek interface

Mailbird is a powerful email client that lets you connect and manage all POP/IMAP accounts from one unified inbox. Mailbird helps you handle all your email accounts and productivity apps from one unified dashboard, keeping your focus on work at its highest.

This email client integrates with various productivity tools such as Asana, Evernote, Google Suite, and many more, so you can quickly eliminate unnecessary distractions and focus on important or unread messages.

Features

  • Unified inbox
  • Native unified calendar
  • Advanced contact management
  • Rich filtering and labeling options
  • Undo send
  • Email tracking
  • Speed reader
  • Rich integration options
  • Unsubscribe button
  • Spam filtering
  • Folders
  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • Snooze
  • Send later
  • Spellchecker
  • Attachment reminder
  • Moving emails between accounts
  • Rich customization options

User reviews

ProductHunt - 4.7/5

Mailbird's Review
Mailbird's Review

Pricing

Plans start at $3.25/per user monthly or $189.99 for lifetime access.

Mailbird vs. Windows Mail App

Mailbird Windows Mail App
Setup and onboarding 5/5 4/5
Customization 5/5 4/5
Email and contact management 5/5 3/5
Productivity features 5/5 4/5
Integrations 5/5 3/5
User Reviews 4.7/5 n/a
Pricing From $3.25 free

Verdict

Mailbird and the Windows Mail app let you manage multiple email accounts and calendars. However, Mailbird offers many more productivity features than the Windows 10 email app. It also enables you to personalize your interface more due to rich customization options; it's more user-friendly and intuitive. While Mailbird doesn't have a free version, this email client's monthly subscription is affordable for everyone.

Thunderbird

Thunderbird's Interface
Thunderbird's Interface

Thunderbird is a free email client with many useful features, including a unified inbox and calendar. In addition, it can be a suitable replacement for Windows 10 Mail due to its robust security options and productivity tools.

Features

  • Multiple account support
  • Multiple calendars
  • Spam filtering
  • Virus protection
  • Contact management
  • Tabbed email
  • One-click address book
  • Attachment reminder
  • Filtering
  • Large file management
  • Phishing protection

Reviews

G2 - 4.3/5 (296 reviews - December 2022)

Pricing

The free version is limited to two email accounts.

free

Thunderbird Windows Mail App
Setup and onboarding 4/5 4/5
Customization 3/5 4/5
Email and contact management 4/5 3/5
Productivity features 3/5 4/5
Integrations 3/5 3/5
User Reviews 4.3/5 n/a
Pricing free free

Verdict

Similar to Windows Mail, Thunderbird is simple to use and navigate, and it's free. In some areas, this email client works much better than the Windows 10 default client; it offers more robust security and spam protection options. However, its productivity features are limited, and it doesn't provide a controlled product development app, as there is no team behind the project.

Outlook

Outlook is an advanced email client offering many productivity options. With the abundance of functions similar to Windows 10 Mail, Outlook could be a more user-friendly and intuitive tool. However, this email client is worth considering due to its rich integrations and features.

Features

  • Simple configuration
  • Support of multiple accounts
  • Integrated calendars
  • Spam filtering
  • Phishing protection
  • Smart lookup
  • To-do lists
  • Smart alerts
  • Email recall

Reviews

G2 - 4.4/5 (2145 reviews - December 2022)

Thunderbird's Review
Thunderbird's Review

Pricing

You can access individual and business plans in Outlook. The personal plan costs $69.99 yearly or $6.99 monthly, while the business plan costs $6 per user.

Outlook Windows Mail App
Setup and onboarding 4/5 4/5
Customization 4/5 4/5
Email and contact management 4/5 3/5
Productivity features 4/5 4/5
Integrations 4/5 3/5
User Reviews 4.4/5 n/a
Pricing from $6 free

Verdict

Outlook offers rich productivity features, making it one of the best Windows 10 mail alternatives among commercial email clients. However, you can easily get lost in the abundance of features that negatively impact your productivity. While Windows 10 Mail is often viewed as simple, Outlook is a much more complex tool to navigate.

Kiwi

Kiwi's Interface
Kiwi's Interface

Kiwi is a desktop application that works only with Gmail accounts. It enhances various Gmail functions and integrates with Gmail applications such as Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive more effectively.

Features

  • Clean compose window
  • 1-click launch
  • Document recall
  • Quick Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive launch
  • Customization
  • Focus-filtered inbox
  • Do not disturb mode
  • Shortcuts
  • Extensions

User Reviews

Capterra - 4.5/5

Kiwi Reivew
Kiwi Reivew

Pricing

The monthly plan costs $2.75. Yearly plans vary from $30 to $58.99, depending on the number of accounts and functionalities.

Kiwi for Gmail Windows Mail App
Setup and onboarding 4/5 4/5
Customization 3/5 4/5
Email and contact management 4/5 3/5
Productivity features 3/5 4/5
Integrations 3/5 3/5
User Reviews n/a n/a
Pricing from $2.75 free

Verdict

Kiwi is an email tool used to enhance work with Gmail accounts. It doesn't support other email providers, which limits its capacity to add and manage accounts and calendars. However, if Gmail is the only email provider you use, Kiwi can become a helpful tool for more effective email management. It's much more intuitive and easy to use compared to the Windows 10 app.

Spark

Spark's Interface
Spark's Interface

Spark is an email client offering various productivity features, such as team comments or email delegations, that are useful for teams. This tool lets you connect unlimited accounts belonging to different email providers. It's much more user-friendly and attractive than Windows 10 Mail.

Features

  • Unified inbox
  • Unified calendar
  • Templates
  • Natural language search
  • Snooze emails
  • Automated email categorization
  • Private team comments
  • Send later
  • Follow-up reminders
  • Link to email
  • Smart notifications

Reviews

App Store - 4.8/5 (36,167 reviews - December 2022)

Spark Review
Spark Review

Pricing

Free with limited functionalities. Paid plans start at $59.99/year.

Spark Windows Mail App
Setup and onboarding 5/5 4/5
Customization 4/5 4/5
Email and contact management 4/5 3/5
Productivity features 4/5 4/5
Integrations 3/5 3/5
User Reviews 4.8/5 n/a
Pricing from $59.99 free

Verdict

Spark is a much more intuitive and user-friendly email client compared to the Windows Mail app. This tool lets you integrate with various third-party tools and boost your work's effectiveness with various productivity features. However, it's expensive compared to other email clients.

Evolution

Evolution Interface
Evolution Interface

Evolution is an open-source client that helps you manage several accounts, calendars, contacts, notes, and tasks.

Features

  • IMAP and POP3 support
  • Encrypted email
  • Multiple accounts
  • Built-in themes
  • Email tracking
  • Multiple calendars
  • Junk and spam filtering
  • Working offline
  • Shortcuts
  • Sorting, filtering, searching
  • Email read receipts
  • Spell checking
  • Message templates
  • Advanced contact management

User Reviews

n/a

Pricing

It's a free email client

Evolution Windows Mail App
Setup and onboarding 4/5 4/5
Customization 3/5 4/5
Email and contact management 3/5 3/5
Productivity features 4/5 4/5
Integrations 3/5 3/5
User Reviews n/a n/a
Pricing free free

Verdict

Evolution offers useful features that can take your productivity to a new level. But its interface is outdated and can't compete with Windows 10 Mail regarding customization options. However, Evolution is also free.

Claws Mail

Claw Mail Interface
Claw Mail Interface

Claws Mail is a lightweight email client with various productivity options. Compared to the often slow Windows 10 Mail, Claws Mail can feel surprisingly speedy and easy to navigate.

Features

  • Multiple accounts
  • IMAP/POP3 support
  • Colour labels
  • Templates
  • Message scoring
  • Automated message saving
  • Filtering options
  • Quick response
  • Intuitive navigation
  • Sophisticated interface

Reviews

G2 - 4.5/5

Pricing

Free

Claws Mail Windows Mail App
Setup and onboarding 4/5 4/5
Customization 4/5 4/5
Email and contact management 3/5 3/5
Productivity features 4/5 4/5
Integrations 3/5 3/5
User Reviews n/a n/a
Pricing free free

Verdict

Claws Mail is more outdated than Windows Mail, but it offers many useful features for free. It also lets you label and group your incoming and outgoing messages-features that are unavailable in Windows 10 Mail. So consider this email client if you want a free Windows Mail app alternative.

Windows Mail Mailbird Thunderbird Outlook Kiwi Spark Evolution Claws Mail
Setup and onboarding 4/5 5/5 4/5 4/5 4/5 5/5 4/5 4/5
Customization 4/5 5/5 3/5 4/5 3/5 4/5 3/5 4/5
Email and contact management 3/5 5/5 3/5 4/5 4/5 4/5 3/5 3/5
Productivity features 3/5 5/5 3/5 4/5 3/5 4/5 4/5 4/5
Ingerations 3/5 5/5 3/5 4/5 3/5 3/5 3/5 3/5
Price Free From $3.25/month Free $6 from $2.75 from $59.99 free free

What Is the Best Replacement for the Windows Mail App?

Windows Mail is simple and offers basic features many users find sufficient for managing multiple accounts. However, Windows 10 Mail has its drawbacks, such as a lack of intuitiveness and advanced productivity features.

Fortunately, plenty of Windows Mail app alternatives are adequate replacements.

After checking out a complete comparison of the reviewed apps, you will notice that Mailbird is the strongest contender. That's because it offers the most productivity features organized in an intuitive and user-friendly way.

You can start using this email client immediately-no need to watch tutorials. In addition, it lets you connect dozens of external apps, such as Asana or Evernote, and manage the tools from one productivity dashboard-something other email clients don't always let you do.

Who Is Mailbird Made For?

If you're looking for an alternative mail app to Windows 10 then Mailbird fits the bill. As you can tell, Mailbird is made for users who want a unified inbox to manage their email accounts, regardless of how tech-savvy they are.

With added features, integrations and customization, Mailbird works with you, allowing you to create a productive inbox workspace to get more done without coding it all in.

We offer far more accessible features, setup, and tools when compared to Windows Mail app when it comes to email management, accessibility, and security.

Feel free to review the table that reviews everything we've covered so far to see the comparison between Windows Mail app and Mailbird:

Windows Mail App Mailbird
Price Basic - FreeBusiness Basic - $5.00 user/monthBusiness Standard - $12.50 user/monthBusiness Premium - $20.00 user/month Personal - $3.25/MonthBusiness - $4.92/MonthOne Time Payment - $79
Account Set up IMAP and Office 365 IMAP, Office 365, Exchange, POP
Auto-Detects Email Settings for Quick Setup
Email Management Features Unified Inbox
Advanced Search
Send Later Feature
Archive Feature
Swiping Gestures for Mobile
Unified Inbox
Shortcuts
Advanced Search
Email Tracking
Unsubscribe Button
Snooze
Send Later
Speed Reader
Custom Settings Themes
Layout
Signatures
Templates
Themes
Layout
Mail Rules
Shortcuts
Notifications
Languages
Signatures
Integrations
Integrations Only with Microsoft Office. Some knowledge of plugins is required. 30 +apps are easy to integrate almost instantly. They include:
Task Management Apps
Chat and Video Conferencing
Calendars
Google Workspace Apps, and more
Support Premium Support for Microsoft 365 users Email Support
Knowledge Base
Premium Support for Business

If you want to try Mailbird, you can install and set it up in just five simple steps that don't require any technical knowledge:

  1. Download the Mailbird email client on the official website.
  2. Enter your primary email account details and configure your email box.
  3. In this account, let Mailbird automatically detect the incoming mail server SMTP and outgoing mail server settings.
  4. Add additional email accounts (if any).
  5. Customize the accounts per your needs and preferences (optional).

Frequently Asked Questions about Microsoft Outlook

Does Windows 10 have a built-in email app?

Yes, Windows 10 comes with its free email client called Mail. You can access the Windows 10 mail app by typing Mail in your Windows search box. But it's not the best free desktop email client. In fact, any free program will come with a lot of synchronization, speed, and security issues, as well as limited functionality. This is because, with paid products, you get technical support and frequent software updates.

Is the Windows 10 Mail app any good?

The Windows 10 Mail app is a simple email client that lets you connect various email accounts from different email providers. However, it's quite limited in productivity features and lacks intuitiveness.
Mailbird is a good alternative to the Windows app, as it offers many more productivity features, such as speed reader, spellchecker, localization, and undo send.

How do I use the Mail app in Windows 10?

You have to follow these steps to start using the Mail app in Windows 10:

  1. Select Start. Next, type Mail.
  2. Once you enter the app, you will be asked to add a new account if you are using this email client for the first time.
  3. Proceed to Add Account.
  4. Choose the account type and click Sign in.
  5. Click Done.
Where do I find Windows Mail in Windows 10?

All Windows 10 computers come with the Windows Mail app preinstalled on your computer. You can find Windows Mail in the Windows search box by typing Mail. Likewise you can select an alternative to Windows 10 mail app for your Windows computer.

How to Set Up an Email on Windows 10?

If you're wondering how to install email address you can follow these easy steps.

  1. Step 1: Open Windows 10 Mail
    Firstly, you'll need to open Windows 10 Mail by clicking on the Start button, then clicking on 'Mail'.
  2. Step 2: Choose 'Settings'
    Once Windows 10 Mail has opened, choose the 'Settings' icon (the cog) from the menu located at the bottom of the app.
  3. Step 3: Choose 'Manage Accounts'
    Then simple choose 'Manage Accounts' from the settings menu that appears on the right hand side of the screen.
  4. Step 4: Choose 'Add account'
    Then simple click on the option labelled 'Add Account'.
  5. Step 5: Choose 'Advanced setup'
    After you have entered your e-mail address and password, choose 'Advanced setup' from the list of different account types.
  6. Step 6: Choose 'Internet email'
    Then choose 'Internet email' to set up your account details.
Is Windows 10 Mail the Same as Outlook?

Windows 10 Mail app's interface is similar to Outlook but it acts as an email client for email apps like Outlook, Gmail and Yahoo. If you have issues with Outlook's interface feel free to check out Mailbird, an alternative to Windows 10 mail app.