NeoMutt
A terminal email client that modernizes Mutt with maintained patches.
NeoMutt is an open-source command-line mail user agent based on Mutt. The project maintains and documents long-running Mutt patch sets, provides distro download options, and links users to full installation, configuration, and reference documentation.
Why it stands out
- Builds on Mutt rather than starting from scratch, so existing Mutt users get a familiar foundation.
- Focuses on maintaining and documenting older community patches that historically lived outside upstream Mutt.
- Offers multiple support and contribution routes, including GitHub, IRC, and public mailing lists.
- The project is active, with recent release announcements listed on the homepage.
Good to know
- NeoMutt is a command-line mail client, so it is not aimed at users who want a graphical desktop or webmail-style interface.
- Setup and daily use depend on installation and configuration, with the full guide hosted separately at docs.neomutt.org.
- The project notes that its support community is small, so replies on IRC may take time.
Under the radar: New contributors can look for issues labeled for discussion or easy coding tasks, where the project explicitly invites input and offers mentoring for first patches.
Photos

Terminal-focused Linux and Unix users who want a configurable email client without a graphical interface. Managing mail from a shell environment or remote server session. Migrating from Mutt while keeping a familiar workflow with newer maintained enhancements. Joining development discussions, reporting issues, or contributing patches and translations.
Command-line email reader, Mutt-based codebase, maintained feature patches, distro download links, separate full user guide, manual pages, GitHub issues and discussions, IRC channel, public user and developer mailing lists.
Alternative listings
A GPL desktop mail and news client built for fast, keyboard-driven use.
Open Source & Free Software AlternativesClaws 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.
0 votesVisit siteA privacy-minded open-source email client for desktop and Android.
Open Source & Free Software AlternativesThunderbird is a free, open-source app for managing email, calendars, and contacts across multiple accounts. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, with customization options, unified inbox support, tags, filters, and community-backed development under the Mozilla umbrella.
0 votesVisit site
Similar sites elsewhere
- Mutt — mutt.org
- Alpine — alpineapp.email
- aerc — aerc-mail.org
1 of 3