Mail client: Features of choosing a mail program. Rating of the best email clients

Windows Central has compiled a collection of the best email clients for Windows 10. Most of them are optimized for touch screens and have advanced email capabilities

The flow of emails never stops, and to handle them requires a reliable and easy-to-use application. There are several hundred different email clients on the market, but only a few deserve your attention. If you prefer a local client to a web interface, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the following selection of applications for working with mail on Windows 10.

Outlook

Microsoft Outlook is included in the Microsoft Office suite of office tools and is available with an Office 365 subscription (from RUB 269.00 per month), but can be purchased as a standalone application (RUB 7,499).

To work with the program, it is not necessary to use an address on the Outlook.com domain - Microsoft Outlook supports almost all email services. The user can add all his accounts to the application and conveniently manage them from one workspace. Outlook has calendar and task scheduling integration and offers a rich set of customizable rules to handle your incoming mail flow. Install sound alerts, When certain person sends you a message containing certain keywords or, automatically move a letter to the appropriate folder if it comes from a specific recipient - an ideal solution for separating work and personal flows.

Outlook offers an incredible number of different tools that can be confusing for first-time users. Fortunately, the product received an updated interface for last years, which made it possible to organize various functions very conveniently. As you become more familiar with the program, you can also begin using the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) development environment, which allows you to create macros for your application. Available online a large number of ready-made scripts that are designed to automate the workflow.

Mailbird

This application received the very apt name Mailbird, which perfectly characterizes it - the program is lightweight, undemanding of resources, easy to use and visually attractive. Mailbird provides flexible configuration of a huge number of interface parameters - from account icons to text color scheme. Every time you launch the application, it will please the eye.

The Mailbird developers have done a great job of removing unnecessary intermediate steps when executing various actions which ultimately leads to increased productivity. Create quick reply templates, add attachments with drag and drop, and search messages with a simple tap on your profile picture.

Received an email from an unknown contact? In two clicks you can view a person’s profile on the LinkedIn social network. Integration with other applications is also supported: Dropbox, Facebook, Google Docs, Twitter and WhatsApp.

Import mailboxes from email services into Mailbird for easy viewing and management. The free version has limited functionality, while the paid version costs just $1 per month, or $45 for a lifetime license.

eM Client

This email client has all the necessary basic functions: calendar, contacts and task manager, as well as live chat between users. The program allows you to import settings and content from many other email clients, so the transition process is easy. Keep in mind that the free version only allows you to import 2 profiles, while the $50 Pro version has no import restrictions.

As for the built-in tools, eM Client is sure to offer useful features for you: spell checking, translation into other languages ​​using the Bing translator, easy sharing of calendar events and tasks with other users, flexible contact list configuration for better organization when using multiple email profiles. Built-in live chat even allows you to quickly share files.

Inky

The Inky app is mainly focused on security. We transmit personal information by mail, which is often not protected from prying eyes. Inky's end-to-end encryption helps prevent unauthorized access attempts.

Inky remains extremely easy to use, despite the addition of security features. The user can import different accounts for use in Inky. To organize different letters, tags are provided that will be useful for quick search message groups.

The intuitive user interface is easy to navigate, and automatic thread processing saves valuable time. A powerful search system serves the same purpose, allowing you to instantly find the letters you need.

The trial version of Inky runs for 14 days. Inky is free to use with Outlook, Gmail, or iCloud accounts. Users of other services can purchase a monthly subscription for $5. Inky is available for Windows platforms 10, Mac OS, iOS and Android.

Claws Mail

Long-time Windows users will likely feel nostalgic when they first see the Claws Mail interface. I must admit, the application is intended for experienced users, who are not afraid to configure everything manually. The application allows you to import an unlimited number of accounts, but you need to do this yourself, automatic import functions or at least step-by-step wizard not provided.

Claws Mail has an active issue tracking tool that monitors for app updates and potential issues. This is an ideal application for older computers - it consumes minimal memory and does not load the processor. What you pay for this is the lack of HTML support and advanced app connectivity features. However, Claws Mail does come with several plugins built in, including SpamAssassin, which helps combat spam.

If you don't mind having to manually configure settings and are looking for an undemanding, lightweight solution for an older machine, then the free retro-style client Claws Mail is a good choice.

Zimbra Desktop

Zimbra Desktop is a free email client with open source code, which has gone through several major changes. Work on the program never stopped and now we get one of best apps for working with email for Windows 10.

A built-in calendar, contacts, and organizer help you stay productive throughout the day, while a tab-based messaging system keeps your workspace clutter-free.

Want to work offline? No problem! Zimbra allows you to work anywhere, and the results of your work will be saved to your local disk. When connected to the network, you can import Gmail, Yahoo! and Outlook for convenient organization of letters in one place.

Zimbra is a cross-platform solution for Windows, Linux and Mac OS and is distributed free of charge.

TouchMail

TouchMail is a convenient email client for owners of tablets or convertible laptops. Import email accounts other than POP3 accounts and enjoy a touch-optimized interface.

The interface is colorful, which makes TouchMail stand out from other similar applications. The user has a rich set of useful tools at his disposal. The application allows you to organize several messages from different accounts into one folder for quick access, and a powerful filtering system can effectively cope with large flows of messages.

TouchMail will be especially useful for devices with touch screens. The application is distributed free of charge, but contains several in-app purchases.

Thunderbird

Mozilla's Thunderbird is unique in that it has a built-in extension system that allows you to extend the client's functionality using numerous tools created by the Thunderbird community. The product offers extensions for almost any task and for any automation scenario.

The client setup wizard will help you import email accounts, and a powerful search engine will allow you to quickly find the necessary information. If you work with huge volumes of emails, then the built-in activity manager that tracks all activities in Thunderbird will be a useful tool. Don't remember which folder you sent the message to? Check the log and find the action you need.

To avoid confusion when writing multiple messages, Thunderbird uses a tab system to display all messages in one window. Naturally, the product contains standard email tools: an address book, an attachment handler, a spam filter and other features that make Thunderbird one of the best email clients for Windows 10.

The Bat!

The Bat! was not included in the collection of the Windows Central portal, but we think many users will agree with us - this is also one of the best email clients. It stands out not only for its functionality, but also for its attitude towards the security of data transmitted by email. After all main task The program is to protect correspondence from monitoring by third parties.

Email client The Bat! can protect your information in a variety of ways. In addition to encrypting traffic using SSL/TLS protocols (which most email clients and services can do today), the program allows you to encrypt user data on your hard drive. The price for a license starts from 2,000 rubles.

The site's observer has studied several email clients for Windows and tells us which programs may appeal to active email users who are tired of the Windows Live Mail or Microsoft Outlook interfaces.

Mailbird

An email client with an interface distinctly reminiscent of Sparrow for Mac OS. This is the second year the application has received the IT World award as the best email client for Windows.

The Mailbird team understands that many users want to add personality and improve usability. final product, and offers customers the following personalization solutions: color selection, customization of user interface panels and hotkey combinations.

The trend towards expanding the functionality of applications by connecting other applications is gaining momentum. The developers took this into account, so the application supports touch control and connection of third-party applications such as Facebook, Dropbox, WhatsApp, Twitter, Evernote, Todoist and some others.

The application is available in paid (Pro) and free (Lite) versions. Paid subscription, in turn, also exists in two versions: for a year and lifetime for $12 and $45, respectively. The paid version offers users quick previews of long messages and snooze messages.

Snooze messages allow the user to delay reading non-urgent correspondence for a specified period of time. After the grace period expires, the message reappears as unread.

The Pro version also offers the connection of an unlimited number of email accounts, against a maximum of three per free version. The free trial period for the Pro version is 30 days.

Mozilla Thunderbird

Cross-platform email client from the developers of the Mozilla Firefox browser.

The creators of the application laid the basis for the OpenSource principle. The advantages of such projects are timely search and elimination of vulnerabilities, as well as rapid product updates.

The application developers did not ignore the issue of security of personal correspondence. Message encryption, digital signature and certificate verification are responsible for the confidentiality of users' personal correspondence. The powerful spam filter does its job well and can be trained.

Among the functional features, we can highlight support for modern mail protocols, RSS and Atom channels, lightweight, and extensive folder directories. Thunderbird is compatible with almost any encoding, can filter messages and work with several accounts at the same time.

According to Mozilla, the product is used by 495 thousand users in Russia and 9 million worldwide. The austerity and conceptual age of the user interface is intended to be brightened up by a large green button on the product website with the inscription “Download for free.”

eM Client

A simple and convenient email client in the style of Outlook.

Users are offered two versions of the product - Free and Pro. The $30 version offers unlimited account creation (versus a maximum of two for the free version) and a license for commercial use.

The advantages of the application include the connection of third-party services Microsoft Exchange, Gmail, iCloud, support for touch devices and custom widgets. Importing data from Microsoft Outlook, Windows Live Mail, Thunderbird, The Bat facilitates possible transition from other email clients.

the Bat

An email client characterized by powerful defense mechanisms on the one hand, and the complete absence of built-in spam filters, tedious interface setup and nondescript design on the other.

Compared to free competitors, the application wins in terms of privacy, holds its own when comparing functional features, and loses miserably in usability.

In everyday correspondence, the security requirements of most users are satisfied by standard tools offered by others. email clients, so the price tag of 2,000 rubles for the Home version seems overpriced.

Inky

Beautiful, modern and free email client.

In addition to a well-made user interface, Inky boasts the ability to work with multiple accounts, flexible filters, cloud synchronization and convenient visualization, within which the user is asked to choose colors and icons for different accounts.

The developers have built into the application automatic sorting of incoming emails by relevance. Messages from your closest contacts are marked with a blue drop, which means the message is highly important. Less important messages and spam are marked with less bright blobs and are lowered in the list.

In practice, there are often cases when sorting occurs on a time basis, which means assigning greater importance to the most recent message. A logical simplification of the sorting system that destroys the excellent idea of ​​care and attention to each user.

From a personalization point of view, Inky is a teachable and easily customizable client.

Finally, it is worth mentioning the interesting OpenSource development Mailpile, which is in beta testing.

This application is distributed free of charge and “lives” on voluntary donations, and therefore does not contain advertising.

It's hard to imagine without email modern world. It is necessary when applying for a job, when exchanging information, when sending photographs and other files. Letters are sent to your mailbox to activate your account on various services, congratulations and useful notifications. An email client for the Windows 7 operating system is a convenient assistant for working with emails.

Benefits and amenities

An email client is a special program with which you can send, receive and filter letters without using online service. You can connect all your mailboxes to the application at once. This is convenient because it collects all the data in one place, instead of browsing several different sites every day.

These programs free up space on your browser's bookmark bars that was previously occupied by mail. In addition, they include options for fine-tuning. You can create blacklists, activate audio notifications for incoming emails, create mass mailings to many users at once.

This article discusses the most popular email clients that can be installed on the Windows 7 operating system.

Microsoft Outlook

This program is rightfully considered the most famous, as it is part of the Microsoft Office package. It is quite easy to use and configure, is perfectly compatible with all versions of Windows, takes up very little free space and consumes few system resources.

This program includes not only a client that processes email messages, but also a full-fledged organizer. It contains convenient calendars, task schedulers, and interaction with other parts of the Office suite. When you turn it on for the first time, the mail program launches a setup wizard, with which you can easily configure all the necessary settings.

Some users mistakenly believe that Outlook and Outlook Express are the same thing. In fact, this is not true; Express is a Windows component that was included in distributions up to XP.

This program is part of the free Windows Live Essentials software package. This is a fairly minimalistic program for working with mail. You can connect several accounts to it, and it can also synchronize with the SkyDrive service.

The utility is available for versions of Windows higher than version seven. If you are still using XP, you can replace it with pre-installed Outlook Express.

Another popular email manager is Thunderbird, released by Mozilla, the developer of the Firefox browser. This application is the main competitor of similar software from Microsoft.

Firstly, the client is cross-platform, that is, it runs on both Windows and Unix-like operating systems. Secondly, the utility supports a modular architecture (like web browsers), thanks to which you can connect plugins that carry many additional functions.

The main part is also excellent. Thunderbird can work with several mailboxes at once, supports everything modern technologies message transmission, has many customizable filters.

A client with a huge number of useful functions and convenient services. It has been included in the list of the best free software several times. Like all the applications discussed above, it supports working with multiple accounts at the same time, spam filters and modern organizer functions.

Sooner or later, any Internet user gets a mailbox. You can work with it directly in the browser or using special programs- mail clients. All users are familiar with the web interface, one way or another. At a minimum, you need to use it to register a mailbox. There are dozens of programs for working with e-mail, and understanding them in order to choose one worthy of attention is not so easy. Today we will look at free email clients for Windows and the opportunities they offer the user.

To put the programs under consideration on an equal footing, each was subject to the same set of requirements.

1. Easy to install and configure.
2. Ability to connect Russian accounts.
3. IMAP/POP protocol support.
4. Integration with cloud services and social networks.
5. Implementation of transfer or import of contacts.
6. Convenience of the interface.

Mozilla Thunderbird

The development of Burevestnik is carried out by Mozilla Corporation, the same one that produces the Firefox browser. The program is cross-platform and distributed under a triple free license.

Setting up Thunderbird begins during installation. During the process, you can independently select the set of required components.

At the first launch, you are prompted to integrate with the system. In addition to the standard function of an email client, the program can receive newsletters in Atom or RSS formats.

Mail setup is performed in semi-automatic mode. To connect your Google, Yandex or Mail.ru accounts, you just need to indicate your existing address and access password. Thunderbird takes parameters for connecting to the server from its own database. The protocol is selected manually. By default, the connection is made in IMAP mode.

To communicate on social networks, chat accounts are set up. It is possible to integrate with Facebook and Twitter. IRC and Jabber/XMPP protocols are supported. In the Russian-speaking segment of the network, they have lost popularity, giving way to mobile messengers.

Sending large attachments can be done using the cloud service Box (not to be confused with Dropbox). Upon registration, the user receives 10 GB of disk space. On a free account, the uploaded file size is limited to 250 MB.

You can transfer data, including contacts, messages, and filters from another email program, using the wizard.

If you have not used an email client before, you can import your contact database from the web version by first saving it to a file.

The Thunderbird interface was developed using the same XUL markup language as in Firefox browser. Thanks to this, the application is able to adapt to the environment in which it is used. As a result, by installing an email client for Windows 7, you will receive Aero-style frames and colored window control buttons.

Tabbed technology allows you to use all built-in features in one window. Additionally, the appearance of the program can be changed using themes, and the functionality can be expanded using add-ons.

As a result of installing Thunderbird, the user receives a flexible email client with many settings. Online help is available, entirely in Russian. The presence of a portable version, placed on a flash drive, allows you to use the program on any computer with network access.

eM Client

The young American company positions its software product as a replacement for MS Outlook. Users familiar with its interface from the Microsoft Office suite will find it easy to adapt to.

Once installation is complete, the program is ready to completely replace the standard email client for Windows 10.

The eM Client email client is available in two configurations: Free and Pro. Initially, the user gets a month to fully test the capabilities. Before it expires, you need to decide whether you will purchase a license or receive a free key for the free version. If you do not take into account VIP support and the ability to use for commercial purposes, the only difference between them is the number of supported accounts. The free version requires you to limit yourself to two active email addresses.

At launch, the user is prompted to transfer existing accounts or configure them themselves. The demo version has no restrictions and recognized all three test accounts. After entering the “@” sign, you are prompted to substitute the domain ending, including Russian servers.

There is no choice between transmission protocols. The program is automatically configured in IMAP mode.

The user has a choice of integration with five online calendar services, including Google and iCloud. To download a list of contacts, integration with these services is also possible. Thus, you can synchronize the contact database accumulated on your mobile device with your email program. Linking to iCloud in the Windows environment is a rare phenomenon, and it will be in demand by users mobile devices Apple.

Implemented support for the XMPP protocol and connection to Hangouts chats. In the calendar settings there is the ability to integrate with the AccuWeather weather server.

The user's location can only be specified by English language, but the forecast is accurate and updated in real time. As a result, weather icons appear next to the dates; clicking on them opens a brief weather report.

The program does not have built-in support for cloud services, but it does have a convenient function for previewing and quickly saving the contents of attachments.

In addition to supporting popular contact storage services, the user has the option of manually transferring them from another program or service.

eM Client provides several presets for displaying the address book. In addition to the traditional list, you can view contact cards and even sort them by geographic location.

The appearance of the program can be changed using ten built-in themes. Additional changes made to the preset style can be saved. The principle of implementing this feature is similar to how personalization settings work in Windows.

Stylistics appearance and the layout of the main controls have been redesigned, but the overall focus on replacing the office email client is visible.

Despite the fact that the eM Client interface has been completely translated into Russian, you will have to understand the additional features of the program by studying the English help. The paid version with support for an unlimited number of accounts will cost the user 1,795 RUR. If you can manage with two boxes, you can get a free license key.

Opera Mail

The mail program for Windows Opera Mail is actually a separate M2 client, which was previously built into the browser of the same name. Users who have used it will recognize the design style.

Of all the programs considered, Opera has smallest size distribution. Installs quickly and is the only one to place its icon in the Windows taskbar.

With such intrusiveness, the program initially determined the OS version and bit depth incorrectly.

As part of testing, we enter all accounts manually, not allowing settings to be imported. Opera's first problems appeared when setting up Google mail. As it turned out, Good Corporation included the program in the list of unreliable applications. After making the necessary changes in the security settings, the account was connected.

Of the Russian servers, Opera easily connected only to Yandex. For Mail.ru, all connection parameters had to be entered manually.

One good thing worth noting is the opportunity manual selection protocol between POP3 and IMAP.

The program settings cannot even be called poor, they simply do not exist. The maximum that the user can do in this “separately living tab” is to change the fonts and encoding of messages.

Import of contacts, integration with cloud services and social networks are not provided.

Zimbra Desktop

The program's developers position it as a tool for collaboration. Zimbra cross-platform products are free software with available source code and have their own version of the public license.

When installing, the program requires the Java Oracle Runtime Environment to be installed on your computer. It includes the minimum set of components required to run java applications on Windows.

Java Runtime Environment is freely distributed and can be downloaded from the company's official page.

Zimbra easily connected to Google accounts and Mail.ru, but Yandex identified his requests as spam. Russian servers are configured entirely manually. The user must select a protocol and independently specify the connection type.

Additional program settings allow you to change notification and mail display settings. Personalized account settings include the creation of separate filters, signatures and ready-made sample letters. The internal division of the working window into zones has three standard presets.

To integrate additional services, Zimbra implements a mechanism for add-ons, so-called “zimlets”. With their help, you can organize the transfer of correspondence and contacts from any program. Considering that the application is cross-platform, import is supported not only from Windows applications.

The allowed size of attachments in a message is 750 MB. In the Zimbra gallery, the user is offered add-ons for integration with any third-party services: social networks, instant messengers, packages office programs, weather services.

In fact, the program is a universal “harvester” for teamwork, wherein Email just one of the functions. For a home user, its functionality will be superfluous, but for a small office it will be a real boon.

Claws Mail

Let's finish our review of email clients for Windows using a guest from a UNIX environment, the Claws Mail program. This free software is a version of a Linux application developed based on elements of GTK+.

When installed, Claws Mail does not require any additional components and is immediately ready to use.

Setting up accounts in the program is performed in semi-automatic mode. It is enough to specify the mailing address and connection protocol. Claws will add the receiving and sending servers itself, including for Russian services.

During the setup process, the program will ask you to confirm the reliability of the secure connection certificate. All three test accounts, including Google, were identified as unknown publishers. After receiving the user's consent, the program accepts them and works stably.

Changing the appearance is possible through additional themes obtained in the tar.gz archive format. To check spelling, the program uses a Russian language dictionary from the free Open Office package. The download link is indicated directly in the settings.

Importing contacts from other Windows programs or files is not possible. To quickly fill your address book, you can use automatic address collection. You can enable it entirely for a folder or for selected messages.

Externally and functionally, Claws Mail resembles a simplified version of the well-known The Bat program, but it is distributed free of charge.

Finally

According to the criteria considered, the best email client for Windows among free programs- Mozilla Thunderbird. Extensibility and flexibility of settings allow you to use it with any accounts.

Second place should be given to Claws Mail. An ideal email program that does not require resources. There is nothing superfluous in it, and each parameter can be “adjusted” to the user’s needs.

eM Client takes honorable third place. It is convenient, expandable, but limited in the number of accounts.

Zimbra Desktop is too powerful a “tool” for private use, and Opera Mail has not yet grown from a “separate browser tab” into a full-fledged email client.

Which email client to download for Windows 10

If you choose an email client, then first of all find out which email clients are supported by your email address. As a rule, large international services are supported by all modern clients. For example, mail on Yandex, Gmail, Mail and most other major services supports: These three mail programs are the best. There are serious differences in them, but there are also a lot of similarities. You can download any email client for free. We recommend choosing one that includes antivirus and antispam. Just remember how much spam you receive. And if you switch your mail account to an email program, then the antispam of your service will have to be replaced with the antispam built into the client. But don't be afraid of this, sometimes email clients handle this better than yours Post service. They also provide the ability to fine-tune antispam so that the necessary letters do not end up there.

Some email clients for Windows 10 allow you to work even without an Internet connection. This the best option, since devices running the new OS are very mobile and you don’t always have access to the network. For example, you can open mail on the train from your tablet running Windows 10 32/64 bit. You will not be able to send a new letter or receive an email from someone. But you can view your correspondence history and view old messages. In addition, some email clients support convenient and structured viewing of attached files to old emails. This is available in the email client from the office suite, and this is what we offer you to download for free as an email client for Windows 10.