Free Email Software Reviews

Here we offer reviews and download links to top rated free pop3 email software programs. These free email clients are feature rich and many include powerful security features to protect your privacy and your computer system from viruses, worms and other malicious mail imbedded programs. Many users prefer to have a local pop3 email client installed on their hard drive as apposed to using a free web based email service. This is because a good email program can have other uses than just reading, composing and storing mail. They also can be used as RSS feed readers, Usenet readers and more. In addition to our full program reviews, we also list and review a couple of really cool email add-ons and utilities on the bottom of this page.

Related free offer categories: Free email Service Reviews | Free Web Browser Reviews | Free RSS Feed Readers | Free Mobile Internet Stuff

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Free email Client Software Programs

Mozilla Thunderbird
Safe - Secure - Powerful - Easy to Use, all of these can be used in combination to describe Mozilla Thunderbird. Mozilla also created the Firefox web browser, and you immediately see the same air tight security features in their email client software. The program includes a treasure chest of well thought out, intuitive and extremely useful features starting with it's attractive, streamlined interface. Thunderbird's learning curve is so simple that even newbies will master it's advanced settings in short order.

One of the most important features an email client can have is spam filtering. Thunderbird's Bayesian based integrated spam filter passed our tests with flying colors. The filter needs some time for training, after which it worked almost flawlessly. The program also has an option to clean incoming messages of any HTML code with the potential to harm your system like viruses, phishing attempts etc.

Thunderbird is also very powerful when it comes to wanted (good) mail. It offers time saving features like custom folder views, search, labels, support for IMAP accounts and more. The programs mail composer is easy to use and works well in both rich HTML and plain text mode. Thunderbird also has the ability to subscribe to... and read...RSS feeds and of course newsgroups.

Since Thunderbird is "Open Source", if you can't find a feature you want, just suggest it to Mozilla and if found useful an independent programmer will most likely write an add-on (called "extensions") for it. There are hundreds of extensions already available for the program you can check out right from the Mozilla website. All in all, Mozilla Thunderbird is an outstanding free email client and should definitely be on your short list for further review and download.
Download Mozilla Thunderbird. For Win: 9x, ME, 2000, NT, XP and Vista | Mac OS X | Linux | OS/2 | File size: 6.0 MB.

Pegasus Mail
Pegasus Mail is not the most interface intuitive free email client available by far. However, if you're willing to invest the time to master it's learning curve, it's enhanced feature set and power will more than compensate.

Pegasus Mail reminds us of some old Dos based email clients we used back in the day. In fact, there is still a Dos version of the program available for download on the site. While the program lacks more recent feature advancements available on other clients like Bayesian spam filters, Pegasus Mail integrates some of the most powerful filtering and template systems we have found in any email client. The program comes with built in encryption for sending secure email and also has a mail merging feature that allows users to set up newsletter mailing lists and service them directly from the client. This feature is a hold over from it's Dos days, e.g., before the advent of mass spam mailings. Many email clients decided to remove this feature from their package for fear of abuse.

Pegasus Mail also offers a filter wizard that walks new users though the process of building mail rules from examples, simplifying the procedure. While the program lacks new sophisticated spam filters, it does have a scoring filter system that does a fair job in catching unwanted mail. It also incorporates a few anti phishing alerts although we wouldn't recommend that users rely to heavily on them. The program supports pop3, IMAP and multiple identities and users.

All in all, Pegasus Mail is not for everyone, especially not new users. It is a very powerful email client that advanced users may want to add to their list of potential replacement options.
Download Pegasus Mail. For Dos | Win16: 3.1 | Win32: 95, 98, NT4, 2000, XP and Vista | File size: 6.5 MB

Sylpheed
If you are looking for a small, yet powerful free email client as a front line or secondary solution, Sylpheed is worth checking out. Sylpheed is flexible as well as simple, lightweight, feature rich, and easy to use.

The program is free software distributed under the open source format. You can freely use, modify and redistribute it under their license. Sylpheed has a simple, well polished user interface that offers comfortable use immediately with minimal configuration. It offers support for GnuPG, SSL and TLSv1 complaint security features and incorporates powerful filtering, search and junk mail control.
Download Sylpheed. For Win: NT4, XP and Vista | Linux | Unix | Mac OSX File size: 4.5 MB. Editors note: This is NOT the "Sylpheed claws" application that is no longer supported.

Eudora
Eudora has been a pioneer in Internet email clients and over the years they have offered innovative and quality oriented email software products. The newest free version of Eudora is ad supported and uses one ad window and up to three sponsored toolbars. That's a lot of client work space dedicated to revenue. However, if you can put up with the forced ads, the program offers a bevy of cool features including fairly solid security and spam tools.

Eudora is very easy to install and use. It's also flexible and super fast. The programs spam filtering system (labeled "SpamWatch") is Bayesian based and includes additional coding to try and catch fraudulent emails (called phishing) that attempt to trick users into giving out sensitive information. There is also another security tool named ("BossWatch") that monitors mail sent to known "Bad" or "Suspect" domains. While these filters worked well, we have received information from current Eudora users that they are not 100% effective. We recommend that users still remain alert when it comes to messages that look suspect and use a common sense approach to dealing with them, e.g., if there's any doubt, use the delete key!

Eudora's compose features are solid and work well for both rich HTML and of course plain text. Other features in the program include custom folders, folder/message search, pre-made reply templates, synchronization between multiple systems using the program and an unusual tool that monitors the mood, or tone of outgoing and incoming massage text.

Eudora does not include a feature to digitally sign or encrypt your email massages. However, as of this review, there is a plug-in available for the program that will handle this.
Download Eudora. For Win: 98, ME, 2000 and XP | Mac OSX | File size: 16.4 MB Windows | 7.8 MB Mac. Editors note: Eudora offers a totally free (no ads) version that is bare bones basic and has no security or spam features whatsoever.

Scribe
Here's a great free email client that's perfect for mobile users or anyone else with very limited hard drive space. Scribe is a small (less than 1MB) and fast email client with an integrated contact database and calendar. It supports all the major internet mail protocols and uses international standards where possible.

Scribe doesn't require any installation or system files and can be used from a removable drive or floppy disc without reconfiguration. It comes with a Bayesian spam filter and translations to many different languages. Updates are published regularly to respond to problems and to add features.

Because Scribe runs on Windows and Linux you can take your mail with you when you change operating systems. Scribe offers protection from the usual security holes in other email clients with it's own virus safe HTML control and executable attachment protection.
Download Scribe. For Win: 95, 98, NT4, 2000 and XP |  Mac OSX | Linux | File size: 880 KB.

Foxmail
Here's another fun email client for light to medium volume users. Foxmail (not to be confused with Firefox) is easy and very fun to use with a bounty of pre-made HTML stationary that's both beautiful and amusing. The stationary can also be used as message templates for multiple emails like invitations and announcements. The programs small digital footprint (under 3 mb.) and it's ease of use are key ingredients as to why Foxmail has remained a viable option as a light to medium email client.

Foxmail has been around a long time and is currently the most popular email client in China with over 3 million installs. It is also widely used throughout the rest of the world with estimates currently at the 8 million install range. While a total of 11 million users around the world doesn't sell the program in itself, it does definitely lend credence to the programs functionality and credibility over it's life span.

Key features in Foxmail include up to date and accurate Bayesian spam filters, easy to set up message labels, a remote mailbox tool, web based email support, multiple language support and multiple user synchronization.

The programs composer is a bit utilitarian and could use an update. However, it is useable for both rich HTML and plain text. If you are a heavy email user (100 or more messages a day) Foxmail probably isn't the client for you. If you are a light to medium user, go ahead and have some fun with Foxmail. After all, 3 million Chinese and 8 million other worldwide users can't be all wrong.
Download FoxMail. For Win: 95, 98, NT4, 2000 and XP | File size: 2.26 MB.

Courier
Courier is Rose City Software's update to the acclaimed Calypso email program, a favorite of email users for years. Courier sports a powerful array of features like POP and *IMAP support, flexible filters and templates, secure message viewing, support for multiple email accounts, a configurable - intuitive interface, color coded message flagging, mailing list support (including "Blind Send" capabilities), advanced spam filtering tools, auto-completion, password protection, secure - flexible address book and more.

Courier's only drawbacks are it's week composer and *one way IMAP support. Other than that, Courier is a powerful, secure and easy to use program that is worth a close look as your frontline email client.
Download Courier. For Win: 95, 98, NT4, 2000 and XP | File size: 4.0 MB.

AK-Mail
For those looking for a more streamline, yet still powerful email client, we submit for your approval - AK-Mail. The program offers all of the above and much more like, full HTML support, powerful spam filters, support for PGP 5.5x and PGP 6.x, support for SMTP authentication via RFC 2554, POP3 authentication via APOP, flexible folder options, folder search, support for multiple mail accounts, canned replies triggered by filters, powerful address book manager, full web browser support, Drag & Drop of messages, address books and address book entries and more. All of the above comes in a very small digital footprint for those with limited hard drive space.
Download AK-Mail. For Win: 95, 98, NT4, 2000 and XP | File size: 1.04 MB.

Opera Mail
Opera Mail is a powerful pop3 text based email client that is integrated into, and compliments the Opera web browser. The fact that Opera Mail is not a stand alone product and only available when also downloading Opera browser is truly a shame. Especially when you consider the programs many outstanding features.

The program sports an attractive layout and is extremely easy to setup and use. There are powerful organizational features in Opera Mail that are exclusive to the program and allow users to accomplish time saving tasks that are not available in other mail clients. One of these is Opera's optional "Learning Filters" which automatically place messages in intuitive pre-set folders. With this feature turned on, Opera learns on the fly where to place files as a user sends/receives, searches and composes mail. Done right, and with correct labeling, this feature could make the manual setting up of individual message rules obsolete. All learning filter settings can be over-ridden should a user want to change placements at a later date.

The program also has an integrated RSS feed reader, although in our tests it struck us as being a little slow and had a stodgy, almost plug-in feel to it. Opera Mail uses a Bayesian spam filter system so it does a reasonable job recognizing junk mail.

As for composing in Opera Mail, we're sorry to say the program misses the boat. There is no support for rich HTML, nor are there any message templates included or template plug-ins available that we are aware of. However, the biggest sin in our opinion, is the programs lack of support for digital signatures and encryption.

The bottom line here is, if you are looking for a text based, functional and easy to use email client... combined with a functional, fairly secure web browser all in one package, Opera Mail is a good choice. However, if you do most of your composing in rich HTML, or want a separate, independent email software client, we suggest you look elsewhere.
Download Opera Mail. For Win: 98, ME, NT, 2000 and XP | Mac | Linux | Solaris | Os2 | File size: 4.6 MB.

Free email Add-ons, Utilities and Tools

Add a Free Zwinky to Your Email
A Zwinky is a customizable online character that can be used on email messages and much more. You can also use Zwinky on message boards, blogs and profile pages. Zwinky avatars can be personalized with clothing, accessories, hairstyles, backgrounds and more. There are 100's of custom options to choose from. Zwinky works with most Email, IM & Blog applications - as well as social sites like My Space, Facebook, Xanga and MSN Spaces. Get your own free Zwinky now. Its fun, easy and totally free! U.S., U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand only.

beemailcard.com
This free service lets you create an email business card that you can use as your signature for outgoing email messages. The service has many options including custom fonts, backgrounds and more.

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