The following 5 free mail desktop clients include:
1. Windows Essentials
Windows Essentials Email Program
Microsoft offers Windows Essentials to users that have a genuine version of Windows. Essentials is a package, but the mail client itself is called Windows Live Mail. This client offers:
Compatibility for Windows 7+
SkyDrive support
Unlimited email support
Feeds
Calendar
Newsgroups
Fast and efficient, Windows Live Mail is a great option for any Windows user. Because it has low system requirements, older machines will have no problem running the client.
2. Zimbra Desktop Client
Zimbra Desktop Client
Zimbra has the potential to be one of the top mail clients, but the makers haven’t been as diligent with pushing out new releases as users would like. Now, Zimbra hasn’t been updated for over a year, but it still works like a charm.
The client features:
Support for Windows, Mac and Linux
Compatibility with POP and IMAP
Works with Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo! Mail and more
Automatic message download
Contacts management
Calendar support
Synchronization
Can be used offline
Users can setup multiple accounts on one installation.
3. Claws Mail
Claws Mail
Claws is the final mail client on our list. The client is quick and minimalistic with a variety of features. Another client that hasn’t been updated recently, Claws Mail had its last update 8 months ago.
This client features:
Multiple accounts
Filtering
Built-in image viewer
Templates and actions
Plugins
Customized toolbars
Save all attachments automatically
The main feature that really pushes Claw Mail above the competition is the plugin feature. These plugins extend the mail client and are downloaded separately so that you don’t have to worry about bloat.
For example, SpamAssassin can be downloaded and installed. This plugin will scan all of your mails and delete mail that is identified as spam or move it to a special folder so that you can decide to delete the mail at your leisure.
Trayicon is another plugin that will alert you of new mail on your desktop’s tray if you choose to install it.
If you’re tired of using the same email client or using a web interface for your email, give one of these mail clients a try.
4. Thunderbird
thunderbird email
Thunderbird is created by Mozilla, the same team that creates the Firefox browser. For a long time, Thunderbird was the main competitor to Microsoft Outlook and is still one of the best email clients on the market today.
One of Thunderbird’s main selling points is that it runs on Windows, Linux and Mac.
Thunderbird has all the features you want but without the bloat, including:
Attachment reminders
Tabbed email
Personalized email addresses
Address book
Multiple-channel chat
Activity manager
Large file management
Smart folders
Phishing protection
Open source
Thunderbird has everything you want in a mail client.
5. eM Client
eM Client
A great client that offers support for all major services, including Gmail, iCloud, Exchange and Outlook. Users can also import all of their Outlook settings to make the transition to eM Client fast and easy.
Named the best free software from 2010 to 2012, eM Client offers:
Support for Windows XP to 8
A built-in Calendar
Built-in contacts
A to-do list manager
Custom contact views
Search
Communication history
Built-in chat
There are even more impressive features offered as well as a Pro account option. The only difference is that a Pro account comes with support and unlimited accounts. Free accounts can’t be used for commercial use.