Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

Head-to-head · Email Clients

KMail vs Mailspring

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
KMail #5 in Email Clients —/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit KDE
Higher score Mailspring #8 in Email Clients 8.0/10 Free plan · paid from $8/mo Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Mailspring

KMail leads on 1 check, Mailspring on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMailspring · 8.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresKMail · 4 of 4

Our editors rank KMail at #5 and Mailspring at #8 for email clients; KMail has no rubric score yet (facts researched, not yet scored), so the checks below decide.

KMail offers calendar tools; Mailspring doesn't.

KMail is the better fit for linux users wanting a mature open-source client. Mailspring is the better fit for free desktop users wanting a capable open client.

  • KMail fits best

    Linux users wanting a mature open-source client

  • Mailspring fits best

    Free desktop users wanting a capable open client

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. It never changes our verdict. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature KMail —/10 Visit ↗ Mailspring 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score — 8.0
Ranking #5 in Email Clients #8 in Email Clients
Best for Linux users wanting a mature open-source client Free desktop users wanting a capable open client
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Email, Live chat, Community, Docs Email, Community, Docs
Integrations 4 integrations 12 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features KMail 4/4 · Mailspring 3/4
Unified inbox ✓ ✓
Offline access ✓ ✓
Scheduled sending ✓ ✓
Calendar tools ✓ (best) —
Specs
App coverage Desktop Desktop
Account limit Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Supports IMAP, POP3, SMTP and Microsoft Exchange
  • OpenPGP, PGP/MIME and S/MIME support
  • Offline access, filtering, search and scheduled sending
  • Unified inbox and search across connected email accounts
  • Works on macOS, Windows, and Linux with offline access
  • Pro adds scheduling, tracking, reminders, templates, and snoozing
Cons
  • Available on Linux rather than across multiple operating systems
  • Unified mailbox requires a plugin disabled by default
  • Desktop-focused app coverage
  • Advanced productivity features require a paid Pro plan
  • Focused on desktop rather than mobile email access
  • Full-featured calendar support is still planned
Our verdict

KMail is an open-source desktop email client developed within the KDE community. It is designed for Linux users who want a configurable application for managing multiple mail accounts locally. The client supports IMAP, POP3, SMTP and…

Read the review →

Mailspring is a native desktop email client for people managing multiple accounts across macOS, Windows, or Linux. Its free plan covers core email functionality, multi-account support, and a unified inbox, while also providing advanced…

Read the review →
  1. KMailEmail Clients —Free plan
  2. MailspringEmail Clients 8.0Free plan · paid from $8/mo

Strengths and trade-offs

  • KMail — where it wins

    • Supports IMAP, POP3, SMTP and Microsoft Exchange
    • OpenPGP, PGP/MIME and S/MIME support
    • Offline access, filtering, search and scheduled sending

    Where it doesn't

    • Available on Linux rather than across multiple operating systems
    • Unified mailbox requires a plugin disabled by default
    • Desktop-focused app coverage
  • Mailspring — where it wins

    • Unified inbox and search across connected email accounts
    • Works on macOS, Windows, and Linux with offline access
    • Pro adds scheduling, tracking, reminders, templates, and snoozing

    Where it doesn't

    • Advanced productivity features require a paid Pro plan
    • Focused on desktop rather than mobile email access
    • Full-featured calendar support is still planned
  • KMail—/10 · Free plan

    A mature, configurable Linux email client with broad protocols and offline access.

    Visit KDEFull verdict →
  • Mailspring8.0/10 · Free plan · paid from $8/mo

    A capable open desktop client with unified inboxes and optional productivity features.

    Visit MailspringFull verdict →

More comparisons

Guides on email clients

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026