KMail vs Mailspring

KMail8.9Visit MMailspring8.6Visit

Higher score KMail #5 in Email Clients 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit KDE

vs

M Mailspring #8 in Email Clients 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Mailspring

• 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. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	KMail 8.9/10 Visit ↗	MMailspring 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	8.6
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	Free plan	—
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 checked yet	Not checked yet
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 →

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

• KMail8.9/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit KDEFull verdict →
• MMailspring8.6/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit MailspringFull verdict →