The best email client for Windows in 2026 depends on how you work. Thunderbird is the best free option, with no account limits and no ads. The new Outlook is best if you use Microsoft 365 or Exchange, eM Client is the best Outlook-style suite you can buy once, and Mailbird is best for a unified inbox with app add-ons. Here is how they compare.
Key Takeaways
- Thunderbird is the best free email client, with no account caps, no ads and no subscription.
- New Outlook is the best choice if you use Microsoft 365, Exchange or an Outlook.com account.
- eM Client is the closest thing to classic Outlook without a Microsoft subscription.
- Mailbird suits people who want a clean unified inbox and app integrations, though its free plan covers one account.
- Windows Mail and Calendar support ended on 31 December 2024, so Microsoft now points users to the new Outlook.
What Is an Email Client?
An email client is a desktop app that connects to your email accounts, so you can read, send and organise mail without opening a browser. Most can handle several accounts, such as Gmail, Outlook and Yahoo, in one place, and many add calendars, contacts and tasks.
Why Are People Looking for a New Email Client on Windows?
Microsoft ended support for the old Windows Mail, Calendar and People apps on 31 December 2024 and recommends moving to the new Outlook for Windows. The new Outlook is free for personal email accounts, but some users find it heavier than the app it replaced, and Microsoft’s own comparison shows that features such as COM add-ins are not supported and PST file support is only partial. That is why many people now look at alternatives.
Best Email Clients for Windows: Quick Comparison
| Email client | Best for | Price | Main limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Outlook | Microsoft 365 and Exchange users | Free for personal accounts | Heavier, with some missing classic features |
| Thunderbird | Free, open-source email | Free, funded by donations | Plainer design, Exchange support is limited |
| eM Client | Outlook-style suite, one-time purchase | Free tier with limits, Pro about $50 to $60 one-time | Desktop-focused, free tier is limited |
| Mailbird | Unified inbox and app add-ons | Free plan for one account, paid plans for more | Windows-first and the free plan is limited |
| Mailspring | Light, simple interface | Free tier, Pro about $8 per month | No Exchange support |
Prices and free-plan limits change often, so check each provider’s website before you decide.
What Are the Best Email Clients for Windows?
1. Mozilla Thunderbird: best free email client
Thunderbird is the free, open-source desktop client Mozilla has kept alive since 2003. It is completely free, ad-free and runs on Windows, Mac and Linux, and it connects to almost any email account through IMAP or POP. While many paid clients limit their free versions to one, two or three accounts, Thunderbird has no account cap. It also supports OAuth sign-in for major providers and S/MIME for encrypted business email. The trade-offs are a more utilitarian look and, for now, email-only support for Exchange through its newer EWS feature.
2. New Outlook for Windows: best for Microsoft users
The new Outlook is Microsoft’s supported replacement for Windows Mail and Calendar. It is free for personal accounts, works with Outlook.com, Microsoft 365, Gmail, Yahoo and other accounts, and is the natural choice if your work runs on Microsoft 365 or Exchange. Its downsides are that it feels heavier than the old Mail app, and some classic Outlook features, such as COM add-ins, are not supported.
3. eM Client: best Outlook-style suite
eM Client combines email, calendar, tasks, contacts, notes and chat in one Windows-first app, and it works with most email providers. It is the closest thing to classic Outlook without a Microsoft subscription, and the Pro version can be bought with a one-time licence, reported at around $50 to $60. There is a free version with limits, and the desktop focus means you will not find a full mobile experience that matches it.
4. Mailbird: best for a unified inbox and app add-ons
Mailbird is a clean, Windows-first client that brings several accounts into one inbox and connects to apps such as calendars and chat tools. Its free plan is limited to one account, so people with several mailboxes will need a paid plan. It supports Exchange, which helps in mixed work and personal setups.
5. Mailspring: best lightweight option
Mailspring has a fast, modern interface with quick search, and it runs on Windows, Mac and Linux. There is a free tier with paid upgrades, with its Pro plan reported at about $8 a month. It does not support Exchange or ActiveSync, so it is not suited to corporate Exchange accounts.
Other options include Spark and Canary Mail, which both offer free plans with multiple accounts, and Proton Mail for privacy-focused users. Proton Mail’s desktop-client access through Proton Mail Bridge is limited to paid plans.
Which Email Client Should You Choose?
- You use Microsoft 365 or Exchange: choose the new Outlook.
- You want free and no limits: choose Thunderbird.
- You miss classic Outlook but do not want a subscription: choose eM Client.
- You juggle many accounts and apps: choose Mailbird.
- You want something light and simple: choose Mailspring.
How to Choose an Email Client: Step-by-Step
Step 1 — List your accounts
Write down every email account you use and what type each is, such as Gmail, Outlook.com, Exchange or a work domain. Some clients cannot connect to every type.
Step 2 — Decide what else you need
Do you need a built-in calendar, tasks, shared inboxes or offline access? Pick the features that matter, and ignore the rest.
Step 3 — Check free limits and prices
Some free plans limit the number of accounts, so confirm this before you invest time in setup.
Step 4 — Test with a trial
Install two clients and use each for a few days with a real account before you decide.
Step 5 — Secure your email
Email is the key to your other accounts, so protect it with a strong password stored in a password manager and turn on two-factor authentication.
How Can You Write Emails Faster in Any Client?
Whichever client you choose, AI tools can help you draft and reply faster. Our guide to using AI to write emails shows ready-to-use prompts and safety tips, and our list of the best Chrome extensions for productivity covers helpful add-ons for webmail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best email client for Windows?
Thunderbird is the best free email client for Windows, and the new Outlook is the best for Microsoft 365 users. eM Client is the best paid, Outlook-style option, and Mailbird is best for a unified inbox.
What replaced Windows Mail?
Microsoft ended support for Windows Mail, Calendar and People on 31 December 2024 and recommends the new Outlook for Windows as the replacement.
Is the new Outlook free?
Yes, the new Outlook is free for personal email accounts. You need a Microsoft 365 subscription only for some premium features and for the full desktop Office apps.
What is the best free email client for Windows?
Thunderbird is the best free email client, because it is free, open source, ad-free and has no limit on the number of accounts.
Can I use Gmail in an email client on Windows?
Yes. Thunderbird, the new Outlook, eM Client, Mailbird and Mailspring can all connect to Gmail. Sign in with your Google account and follow the setup prompts.
Do I need an email client, or is webmail enough?
Webmail is enough for many people, but an email client gives you one place for several accounts, better offline access and extra tools such as calendars and task lists.
Conclusion
The best Windows email client depends on your needs. Thunderbird is the best free choice, the new Outlook suits Microsoft users, eM Client offers a one-time-purchase Outlook alternative, Mailbird shines for unified inboxes and Mailspring keeps things light. List your accounts, check the free limits, test two options and protect your email with strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
Related reading: How to use AI to write emails · Top 5 password managers · What is two-factor authentication? · Best Chrome extensions for productivity