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Head-to-head · Email Clients

Roundcube vs Mailspring

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Roundcube #7 in Email Clients 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Roundcube
Mailspring #8 in Email Clients 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Mailspring

Roundcube leads on 0 checks, Mailspring on 0, and 5 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 scoreRoundcube · 8.7/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresMailspring · 3 of 4

Roundcube scores higher on our rubric for email clients: 8.7 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #8.

On app coverage, Roundcube gives you Web where Mailspring offers Desktop.

Roundcube is the better fit for self-hosters wanting a dependable open-source webmail base. Mailspring is the better fit for free desktop users wanting a capable open client.

  • Roundcube fits best

    Self-hosters wanting a dependable open-source webmail base

  • 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 Roundcube 8.7/10 Visit ↗ Mailspring 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.6
Ranking #7 in Email Clients #8 in Email Clients
Best for Self-hosters wanting a dependable open-source webmail base Free desktop users wanting a capable open client
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Desktop
Platforms Web Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Email, Community, Docs
Integrations 1 integrations 12 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Roundcube 0/4 · Mailspring 3/4
Unified inbox Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Offline access Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Scheduled sending Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Calendar tools — —
Specs
App coverage Web Desktop
Account limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free, open-source deployment on a web server
  • IMAP folders, search, threading, identities, and address books
  • Plug-in API with PGP encryption support
  • 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
  • No native mobile applications
  • Calendar features are third-party additions
  • Multiple-account support is a third-party addition
  • 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

Roundcube is a browser-based, multilingual IMAP email client for people and organizations that want to host their own webmail. Its application-like interface covers message composition and management, MIME and HTML messages, responsive…

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. RoundcubeEmail Clients 8.7Free plan
  2. MailspringEmail Clients 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Roundcube — where it wins

    • Free, open-source deployment on a web server
    • IMAP folders, search, threading, identities, and address books
    • Plug-in API with PGP encryption support

    Where it doesn't

    • No native mobile applications
    • Calendar features are third-party additions
    • Multiple-account support is a third-party addition

  • 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

More comparisons

All email clients comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update