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Claws Mail

Claws Mail

Open Source & Free Software AlternativesCommunication & Email
FreeDesktop
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Verified working Sep 19, 2026

A GPL desktop mail and news client built for fast, keyboard-driven use.

Claws Mail is an open-source desktop email client and news reader built with GTK. It emphasizes local message handling, quick interaction, import/export from other mail clients, and extendable functionality through plugins such as RSS, calendar, and hardware-related add-ons.

Why it stands out

  • Uses the MH mailbox format, which keeps messages as standard files rather than locking them into an opaque database.
  • Designed for both former users of mainstream mail clients and advanced users who prefer keyboard control.
  • Plugin architecture keeps the base client lean while allowing extras like RSS or calendar features.
  • GPL-licensed project with official bug tracker, Git browsing, mailing lists, and IRC community links.
  • Explicitly warns that the project is not hosted on GitHub, reducing confusion around unofficial mirrors.

Good to know

  • It is a desktop email client, not a webmail service, so users need to install and configure it locally.
  • Some capabilities mentioned on the site are supplied by separate plugins rather than the core application.
  • The official source repository is not on GitHub, so GitHub results should not be treated as authoritative.

Under the radar: If you are looking for the source code, use the site’s “Get Git” or “Browse Git” links rather than searching GitHub; the project explicitly says GitHub is not its official home.

Photos

Illustration for Claws Mail