imap-migrate review
A focused, free option for technical IMAP-to-IMAP mailbox migrations.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
imap-migrate is a Python command-line script for copying email from one IMAP host and account to another. It is aimed at users and administrators moving mail between providers such as Gmail, Outlook, Fastmail, Yahoo Mail, iCloud Mail, or custom IMAP servers. The tool runs locally on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and requires Python 3.12 or later plus IMAP access on both accounts. Its free, open-source model suits technical migrations where control and a narrow scope matter more than a graphical workflow.
The migration controls are practical for mailbox transfers. imap-migrate supports source and destination folder selection, preserves received dates and message flags, and reports progress in real time. It logs migration activity to migration.log, offers a dry-run mode for connection testing, and avoids creating duplicate messages when a migration is rerun. Configuration is available through command-line options and environment variables, giving administrators a scriptable way to manage the process. These features make it a good fit for deliberate, repeatable IMAP transfers between compatible accounts.
The trade-off is breadth. The published scope centers on one-folder-to-one-folder IMAP migration, rather than broader workspace or groupware moves. Calendar, contacts, staged migrations, tenant-to-tenant transfers, Microsoft 365 migration, and Google Workspace migration are outside that scope. Choose imap-migrate when both mail systems provide IMAP access and the operator is comfortable with Python and command-line administration. Choose a broader migration product instead when the project includes non-email data, multi-stage planning, or platform-specific workspace migration.
imap-migrate pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free and open source on Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Preserves message dates and flags while avoiding duplicates on reruns
- Dry runs, progress reporting, and migration.log support safer operations
- Where it doesn't
- Requires Python 3.12 or later
- Command-line configuration requires technical administration skills
- Limited to IMAP-to-IMAP mail; no calendar or contacts migration
imap-migrate fact sheet, pricing and score →
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