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Head-to-head · Email Clients

Mailspring vs Missive

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Mailspring #8 in Email Clients 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Mailspring
Missive #9 in Email Clients 8.5/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Missive

Mailspring leads on 1 check, Missive on 1, and 3 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 · 8.6/10
  • Free planonly Mailspring
  • Free trialonly Missive
  • Most featuresMissive · 4 of 4

Mailspring scores higher on our rubric for email clients: 8.6 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #8 and #9.

Mailspring offers free plan; Missive doesn't. On app coverage, Missive gives you All where Mailspring offers Desktop. Missive offers calendar tools; Mailspring doesn't.

Mailspring is the better fit for free desktop users wanting a capable open client. Missive is the better fit for teams managing shared customer conversations.

  • Mailspring fits best

    Free desktop users wanting a capable open client

  • Missive fits best

    Teams managing shared customer conversations

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Side by side

Feature Mailspring 8.6/10 Visit ↗ Missive 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 8.5
Ranking #8 in Email Clients #9 in Email Clients
Best for Free desktop users wanting a capable open client Teams managing shared customer conversations
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price — $14/user/mo
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Desktop Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Email, Community, Docs Email, Docs
Integrations 12 integrations 16 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Mailspring 3/4 · Missive 4/4
Unified inbox ✓ ✓
Offline access ✓ ✓
Scheduled sending ✓ ✓
Calendar tools — ✓ (best)
Specs
App coverage Desktop All
Account limit Not checked yet 15 accounts
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • Shared inboxes support assignments, comments, mentions, and chat
  • Unifies email, SMS, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger
  • Adds tasks, calendars, automations, and AI-assisted inbox actions
Cons
  • Advanced productivity features require a paid Pro plan
  • Focused on desktop rather than mobile email access
  • Full-featured calendar support is still planned
  • No free plan after the 30-day trial
  • Paid tiers are priced per user and billed annually
  • Advanced security controls start on Business
Our verdict

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 →

Missive is a collaborative email client for customer support teams, sales teams, and agencies that need to manage shared customer conversations. It combines email with SMS, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, and other channels in shared…

Read the review →
  1. MailspringEmail Clients 8.6Free plan
  2. MissiveEmail Clients 8.530-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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

  • Missive — where it wins

    • Shared inboxes support assignments, comments, mentions, and chat
    • Unifies email, SMS, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger
    • Adds tasks, calendars, automations, and AI-assisted inbox actions

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan after the 30-day trial
    • Paid tiers are priced per user and billed annually
    • Advanced security controls start on Business

More comparisons

All email clients comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update