Looking for a free alternative desktop mail client to outlook


Local time
3:38 PM
Posts
22
Location
Wisconsin, USA
OS
Windows 11 Education
Hi!

As the title says, I'm looking for a solid free alternative to MS Outlook for regular email as I'm using an older version of office thats out of support. Right now I'm eyeing Mozilla Thunderbird, but not sure how I feel about it yet.

Ty!
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 57009X
    Motherboard
    Asus X570-Plus
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 1660 Super
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion Plus
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 7040U
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Ryzen Integrated Graphics
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
I'm trying to warm up to the "new" Outlook, but it still has a few bugs. My primary email is Gmail and it has issues synchronizing to the folders I use to organize my stuff. If they fix those then I'm probably all-in with New Outlook.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro (24H2 RP)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer AN515-54
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-9300H CPU @ 2.40GHz 2.40 GHz
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650, Intel UHD 630
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer CB272D
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    256GB and 1T SSD
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX Keys
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Anywhere 3
    Internet Speed
    250MB
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
  • Operating System
    Win 11 Pro (unsupported)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell E6410
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 M620 CPU @ 2.67GHz (non-compliant)
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA NVS 3100M
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I'm trying to warm up to the "new" Outlook, but it still has a few bugs. My primary email is Gmail and it has issues synchronizing to the folders I use to organize my stuff. If they fix those then I'm probably all-in with New Outlook.

I'm right there with you. Except I already have a perfectly good working version of Office 2007. It works fine for my basic word processing needs and my spreadsheet needs for making personal budgets. I'm not running around downloading random documents so its fine for me, but I know using Outlook '07 is a security nightmare which is why I'm trying to move away from it.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 57009X
    Motherboard
    Asus X570-Plus
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 1660 Super
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion Plus
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 7040U
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Ryzen Integrated Graphics
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
I use BlueMail. Works great for me. And it's free.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win10/11 Triple Boot Insider Release Preview and DEV channels
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP ENVY
    CPU
    i5 Core 7200U@2.50GHz (Unsupported for Win 11)
    Motherboard
    HP 81AD (U3E1)
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Generic PnP Monitor (1920x1080@60Hz) Intel HD Graphics 620 (HP)
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1536x864 pixels
    Hard Drives
    HGST HTS721010A9E630
    PSU
    Well...PSU you!! What's this mean?
    Case
    HP ENVY SILVER
    Cooling
    A fan.
    Keyboard
    USA
    Mouse
    Logitec Anywhere 2
    Internet Speed
    Good enough for me! Fast!
    Browser
    Edge/Waterfox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    No 'mo.
Thunderbird does work. You might find it to be your "old reliable" when all is said and done.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win7 Pro Retail Upgrade to Win 10 Pro, to Win11 Pro 24h2 OS Build 26100.3775
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink SER8
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS
    Motherboard
    AZW SER8 AMD Promontory/Bixby FCH
    Memory
    DDR5-5600 / PC5-44800 DDR5 SDRAM SO-DIMM32G
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon 780M
    Sound Card
    AMD Zen - Audio Processor - HD Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 LG HDR 32"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial NVMe
    2TB Crucial NVME
    WD 1TB SSD SATA to USB3
    (2) Seagate BUP Slim 2TB SATA to USB3
    Samsung SSD 1TB SATA to USB3
    Samsung 500G SATA to USB3
    Cooling
    Beelink Proprietary
    Keyboard
    Logitech Backlit USB
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    T-Mobile 5G 100+ Mbs
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender and Malwarebytes Prem
    Other Info
    Microsoft 365 Family Office 18429.20044 CTR
    Macrium X Subscription1 Version 10.0.8495
    Mini-Tool Ultimate 12.9 Lifetime
    Malwarebytes Premium w/VPN 5.2.9.176 Update 1.0.97801 Component 129.0.5196
    Revo Pro Portable Pro 3.5.7
    Many others. (All legit)
  • Operating System
    WIN 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS
    Motherboard
    AMD
    Memory
    32G
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell
    Mouse
    MS
    Internet Speed
    200GB+
    Antivirus
    Defender Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    Macrium Home Subscrption, MS 365 Family
I use BlueMail. Works great for me. And it's free.
I'll look into it! Thanks!

Thunderbird does work. You might find it to be your "old reliable" when all is said and done.
So I've heard, I used to use Thunderbird years ago but once I got MS Office I've just used that. However, I don't feel like buying Office 2021/O365 just for outlook. I'll give it another install and take a look!
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 57009X
    Motherboard
    Asus X570-Plus
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 1660 Super
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion Plus
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 7040U
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Ryzen Integrated Graphics
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
I'll look into it! Thanks!


So I've heard, I used to use Thunderbird years ago but once I got MS Office I've just used that. However, I don't feel like buying Office 2021/O365 just for outlook. I'll give it another install and take a look!
Let me know what you think about BlueMail. I have it on my phone too.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win10/11 Triple Boot Insider Release Preview and DEV channels
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP ENVY
    CPU
    i5 Core 7200U@2.50GHz (Unsupported for Win 11)
    Motherboard
    HP 81AD (U3E1)
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Generic PnP Monitor (1920x1080@60Hz) Intel HD Graphics 620 (HP)
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1536x864 pixels
    Hard Drives
    HGST HTS721010A9E630
    PSU
    Well...PSU you!! What's this mean?
    Case
    HP ENVY SILVER
    Cooling
    A fan.
    Keyboard
    USA
    Mouse
    Logitec Anywhere 2
    Internet Speed
    Good enough for me! Fast!
    Browser
    Edge/Waterfox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    No 'mo.
I'll look into it! Thanks!


So I've heard, I used to use Thunderbird years ago but once I got MS Office I've just used that. However, I don't feel like buying Office 2021/O365 just for outlook. I'll give it another install and take a look!
If all you want is Outlook, that's a free app on MS Store now.....
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro (24H2 RP)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer AN515-54
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-9300H CPU @ 2.40GHz 2.40 GHz
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650, Intel UHD 630
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer CB272D
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    256GB and 1T SSD
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX Keys
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Anywhere 3
    Internet Speed
    250MB
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
  • Operating System
    Win 11 Pro (unsupported)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell E6410
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 M620 CPU @ 2.67GHz (non-compliant)
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA NVS 3100M
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
If all you want is Outlook, that's a free app on MS Store now.....
I took a look at it... but sadly it has ads. I ended up deciding to go with Thunderbird!
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 57009X
    Motherboard
    Asus X570-Plus
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 1660 Super
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion Plus
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 7040U
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Ryzen Integrated Graphics
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
Let me know what you think about BlueMail. I have it on my phone too.
I took a look at it, and it was a solid one! But as a firefox user, I felt it was natural to go with Thunderbird!
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 57009X
    Motherboard
    Asus X570-Plus
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 1660 Super
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion Plus
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 7040U
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Ryzen Integrated Graphics
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
I've been using Thunderbird for years! I have to use outlook at work, UGH.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung Series 9 Notebook NP940X5N-X01US
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-8550U CPU @ 1.80GHz 1.99 GHz
    Memory
    16G
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Another vote for Thunderbird :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i5-10600k
    Motherboard
    MSI Z490 G+
    Memory
    Team T-Force 16GB 3200MHz DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS PRIME GeForce RTX 5060 Ti
    Sound Card
    SMSL D6S ES9039Q2M DAC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC 31.5" Q32V3S/WS 75Hz 4ms Adaptive-Sync 2K-QHD Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 M.2 SSD 500GB x 3
    PSU
    MSI MPG A850GF 80+
    Case
    Antec DF600 FLUX
    Cooling
    Mirage 5 Cooler
    Keyboard
    Logitech G19
    Mouse
    Gigabyte GHOST M8600
    Internet Speed
    FTTH 100/40
    Browser
    Waterfox, Firefox, Edge,Chrome and DuckDuckGo
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Antivirus
    Other Info
    Q Acoustics M20 Active Speakers
I took a look at it... but sadly it has ads. I ended up deciding to go with Thunderbird!
I am been using the Outlook for Windows app from the MS store for a week now. I only use it with my two Outlook.com email accounts. Where did you see ads? I don't see any.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS TUF Gaming A15 (2022)
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800H with Radeon 680M GPU (486MB RAM)
    Memory
    Crucial DDR5-4800 (2400MHz) 32GB (2 x 16GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 3060 Laptop (6GB RAM)
    Sound Card
    n/a
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6-inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 300Hz
    Hard Drives
    2 x Samsung 990 Evo Plus (2TB M.2 NVME SSD)
    PSU
    n/a
    Mouse
    Wireless Mouse M510
    Internet Speed
    2000Mbps/300Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II
    Memory
    G.SKILL Flare X 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-RTX3060TI-08G-V2-GAMING (RTX 3060-Ti, 8GB RAM)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S23A300B (23-in LED)
    Screen Resolution
    1080p 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    2TB XPG SX8200 Pro (M2. PCIe SSD) || 2TB Intel 660P (M2. PCIe SSD)
    PSU
    Corsair RM750x (750 watts)
    Case
    Cooler Master MasterCase 5
    Cooling
    Scythe Mugen 6
    Mouse
    Logitech M310 (MK540 keyboard/mouse combo)
    Keyboard
    Logitech K520 (MK540 keyboard/mouse combo)
    Internet Speed
    2000 Mbps down / 300 Mbps up
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes (Premium)
    Other Info
    ASUS Blu-ray Burner BW-16D1HT (SATA) || Western Digital Easystore 20TB USB 3.0 external hard drive used with Acronis True Image 2025 backup software || HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 Printer/Scanner

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro (24H2 RP)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer AN515-54
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-9300H CPU @ 2.40GHz 2.40 GHz
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650, Intel UHD 630
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer CB272D
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    256GB and 1T SSD
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX Keys
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Anywhere 3
    Internet Speed
    250MB
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
  • Operating System
    Win 11 Pro (unsupported)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell E6410
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 M620 CPU @ 2.67GHz (non-compliant)
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA NVS 3100M
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I ended up deciding to go with......
A significant deciding factor would be if you need it to support multiple accounts or not.
Thunderbird is probably the best choice for multiple accounts.

That aside, eM Client would be a good alternative.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    I8700k
    Motherboard
    MSI Z370A Pro
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    3060ti
    Sound Card
    On-board realtech
Ditto for Thunderbird!

Thunderbird has no ads. I like it well enough that I've donated to their team. :D

THUNDERBIRD
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Pro
    Memory
    32GB
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 Intel (14”) Mobile Workstation - Type 21AK
    Memory
    32GB
I've been using Thunderbird for years! I have to use outlook at work, UGH.

Thats my reaction as well! xD

I've never been a huge fan of the modern outlook... the UI is just messy to me. Thunderbird on the other hand is clean, lightweight and straight forward to use.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 57009X
    Motherboard
    Asus X570-Plus
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 1660 Super
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion Plus
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 7040U
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Ryzen Integrated Graphics
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
Ditto for Thunderbird!

Thunderbird has no ads. I like it well enough that I've donated to their team. :D

THUNDERBIRD
Right?! I tried outlook (free version) and as soon as I got it set up, I started seeing ads at the top. 🤢
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 57009X
    Motherboard
    Asus X570-Plus
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 1660 Super
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion Plus
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 7040U
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Ryzen Integrated Graphics
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
I am been using the Outlook for Windows app from the MS store for a week now. I only use it with my two Outlook.com email accounts. Where did you see ads? I don't see any.
I saw them at the top, although I was using the "New" outlook. Granted, Im using an icloud email address.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 57009X
    Motherboard
    Asus X570-Plus
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 1660 Super
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion Plus
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 7040U
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Ryzen Integrated Graphics
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox

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