Alternatives
Best Mimestream alternatives in 2026
Mimestream is native macOS email client for Gmail accounts. These 9 alternatives come from the same rankings, ordered by editorial score. Connected products carry a small, disclosed lift.
Ranked alternatives
- 1
Thunderbird
Has a free option; is open source; also runs on Windows, Linux. Free, open source and includes calendar and contacts on Windows, Linux and macOS. It has no phone app of its own, and Thunderbird for Android is a separate project.
Best for Free desktop email with calendar and contacts
WindowsmacOSLinuxFreeOpen source
- 2
Spark
Has a free option; also runs on iOS, Android, Windows. One app on iOS, Mac, Android and Windows, with a smart inbox that sorts mail by importance. Its code is closed, and its Premium plan adds the paid features.
Best for One inbox across phone and desktop
iOSmacOSAndroidWindowsFree plan, paid upgrades
- 3
Outlook
Has a free option; also runs on Windows, iOS, Android. Microsoft's mail client for Windows and Mac, with calendar, contacts and To Do in one app and a free web version at Outlook.com. Calendar and mail are tied to the mailbox, and desktop features depend on the account and plan.
Best for Microsoft 365 and Outlook.com users
WindowsmacOSiOSAndroidWebFree plan, paid upgrades
- 4
Mailspring
Has a free option; is open source; also runs on Windows, Linux. Open-source GPL-3.0 desktop client for Mac, Windows and Linux, with send later and grammar checking. Its read receipts and link tracking may not suit privacy-minded users, and the Pro plan is $8 per month.
Best for Open-source desktop mail with send later
macOSWindowsLinuxFree plan, paid upgradesOpen source
- 5
eM Client
Has a free option; also runs on Windows, Android, iOS. Covers Windows, Mac, Android and iOS with sync for Gmail and Hotmail, and a free version for home users. It is closed source, and its AI features are sold as add-ons.
Best for Desktop and phone email for home users
WindowsmacOSAndroidiOSFree plan, paid upgrades
- 6
Mail
Has a free option; also runs on iOS. Built into Mac and iPhone at no cost and needs no download on Apple devices. It has no Windows or Android version, so it is limited to Apple users.
Best for Email on Apple devices with no extra app
macOSiOSFree
- 7
Canary Mail
Has a free option; also runs on Windows, iOS, Android. An email client for Mac, Windows, iOS and Android with a unified inbox, one-click unsubscribe, snooze, read receipts and a calendar. The free plan covers the core inbox, and AI Copilot and PGP sit behind paid plans at $36 and $100 a year.
Best for Individuals who juggle several mailboxes
macOSWindowsiOSAndroidFree plan, paid upgrades
- 8
Proton Mail
Has a free option; is open source; also runs on Web, iOS, Android. Encrypted email from a Swiss company, with apps for iOS, Android and desktop, an open-source web client and a free plan. It is a mail service as much as a client, so mailboxes live on Proton's servers rather than with a provider you pick.
Best for Encrypted email for private mail between Proton users
WebiOSAndroidmacOSWindowsLinuxFree plan, paid upgradesOpen source
- 9
Mailbird
Has a free option; also runs on Windows. Combines Gmail, Outlook, Exchange and IMAP accounts in one Windows or Mac workspace, free to download. It has no phone app on its site and is closed source.
Best for Several work and personal accounts on a desktop
WindowsmacOSFree plan, paid upgrades
Narrow the alternatives
Free alternatives to Mimestream
Open-source alternatives to Mimestream
Mimestream alternatives for Linux
Mimestream alternatives for Windows
Mimestream alternatives for Android
About Mimestream alternatives
- What is the best alternative to Mimestream?
- On listme.name the highest-scored alternative is Thunderbird, followed by Spark. The right choice depends on price, platform and whether you need open source.
- Is there a free alternative to Mimestream?
- Yes. Free options include Thunderbird, Spark, Outlook.
Before you switch
Learning Center
1:16Lock-in and exit costs: check how you leave before you commitLearn what lock-in is, run an export test on real data, compare open formats and local versus hosted storage, and plan an exit with your EU data rights in mind.
1:20How to run a software trial that tells you somethingRun a software trial that answers your question. Set criteria first, use real files, test import, export and sharing, then decide before the end date.