eM Client vs Mailbird

Google Workspace

Microsoft 365

Wrike

Google Workspace is a suite of applications from Google which offers a number of tools to communicate and collaborate with colleagues, store files, and manage data from all devices.

Microsoft 365, formerly Office 365, provides web, desktop, and mobile apps for Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Publisher, Skype, OneDrive, Exchange Online, and more

Wrike is the trusted work delivery platform where AI extends what people can accomplish. By centralizing all work in one governed environment, Wrike helps organizations streamline collaboration and project planning. Key features include AI Agents and Wrike Copilot. 20,000+ organizations trust Wrike.

eM Client is a powerful email client for Windows and macOS with a clean and easy-to-use interface. It also offers features for calendars, tasks, contacts, notes and chat.

eM Client covers all professional communication needs
for any team or enterprise and easily connects to any email service.

Address Book

Alerts/Notifications

Appointment Management

Archiving & Retention

Availability Management

Calendar Management

Calendar/Reminder System

Calendar Sync

Chat/Messaging

Collaboration Tools

Color Codes/Icons

Communication Management

Contact Database

Contact Management

Customizable Branding

Customizable Fields

Customizable Forms

Customizable Templates

Data Import/Export

Data Recovery

Deduplication

Drag & Drop

Email Distribution

Email Management

Email Monitoring

Email Reminders

Email Templates

Employee Management

Encryption

Event Calendar

Event Management

Event Scheduling

File Sharing

File Transfer

Filtering

Inbox Management

Interaction Tracking

Member Database

Productivity Tools

Real-Time Chat

Real-Time Updates

Reminders

Response Management

Scheduling

Search/Filter

Shared Inboxes

Signature Management

Task Editing

Task Management

Task Progress Tracking

Task Scheduling

Task Tagging

Team Calendars

Template Management

Templates

Third-Party Integrations

Whitelisting/Blacklisting

Reviewers appreciate that eM Client offers a free version with useful features and regular updates, and they find it suitable for basic needs. Some users report limitations in the free plan and feel the subscription cost is high for the features provided.

Value for money

Reviews for eM Client come from a wide variety of industries, including Computer Software (15% of reviewers), Information Technology and Services (9%), and Construction (6%). The most frequent use case for eM Client cited by reviewers is email management (68% of reviewers).

eM Client

Windows

Thunderbird

Mailbird

Zoho Mail

Postbox

Microsoft Outlook

Free

Pro (For Individuals)

Pro (For Companies)

sales and marketing manager

so I did find it functions faster and smoother with multiple files and large data files.

President

Beginning in January 2024, I started reporting a failure of emclient (for Windows) to be able to send emails with large (3MB or more) attachments.  

CEO-Owner

Calendars can open in a separate window and the UI is excellent.

eM client was still an outlook like environment but with less of the bloat

A little slow when double clicking on an email message to open in a new window.

a nice lite version of microsoft outlook.  

Medical Translator

I get too many e-mails from spam people but I guess it's not eM Client's problem.

Has every features that you need to manage all mail, task, contact, notes, calendar and it's perfect with icewarp server because it's very well integrated.

Easy to set up, seamlessly authenticates to O365 (including OAuth 2 authentication) and Google.

Initially, emclient support replied and asked very low level questions to determine how I was using emClient.   When it became obvious that I knew more than their support staff, they stopped responding to my requests for help.  

Product manager

The user interface wasn't the prettiest but that is really being pedantic if I had to be.

I will not use it again as it was not effective for my work load and caused more headaches then solving problems

No longer willing to deal with a company that cannot assemble a team to follow up on reported fatal flaws.  

Journalist

Not as sleek as outlook & gmail competitors, doesn’t have an easy way to remember original license key account as it isn’t linked to your license key.

I even pay extra for "VIP Support", but they don't even respond!  

For email only, it works great for both IMAP and GMAIL.   When working correctly Calendar connectivity is great, but lately it has been having sync issues.  

I have 20 email addresses that I monitor, and so far emClient is the only one that will easily manage email.   

Engineer

Em Client is easy to use and you can have two email accounts in the free version, suitable for most people that have only personal email addresses. If you use at work you may need to set 2+ address but the license is very cheap.

Technician

I use eM Client on a Windows 10 computer to manage a couple of email accounts.

The free version allows you to manage two email address.

Sales Manager

I love eM Client for how it displays messages, the UI and the ability it has to use multiple accounts on the Pro version.

It works perfectly, it is simple to use and you have all the mail features, such as contacts, calendar, email filters, rules.

In addition, they have no way of contacting them and have no section for known problems on their website.  

Sometimes seems to slow down if your computer has few hardware resources, but I recommend it anyway.

Software Engineer

Importing the information from google accounts was really easy and we can have local storage of all the emails received which is a really big plus in our use case.

Manager

Even if you clear out a reminder you will get it everyday since you set it up.

The interface and useability is good for someone that wants a more simple email client.

I will problem continue to use the program but use it along side of google workplace.  

Director

There are a ton of customization features that allow you to set things up to look and function exactly the way you want.  

It is very disruptive and quite frightening, and it takes a long time to restore everything, especially if you manage a lot of different email accounts.  

Contributor

Too costly for personal use, mail deletion not on par with other clients, creating rules a cumbersome process.

Translator

Best alternative I found to Outlook, and with a lot less problems than Outlook

There has been a LONG term issue of it not displaying emails with attachments in excess of 25MB.

founder

For their pro version, I have nothing to complain, but their free version basically unusable because only 2 email accounts allowed.

Senior Partner, Advisory

Adopted emClient as my primary PIM application while associates reviewed alternative to Outlook email clients.

Owner

The main feature I was looking for when I found eM Client was the ability in integrate multiple email accounts from different providers into one email client.  

Strategic Planning Consultant

The lack of EAS support is an issue and essentially seems to leave Outlook as the only option in too many cases.

Network Manager

With emClient I can perform all the tasks of the company in one place, find contacts and manage emails with calendars at no cost.

I consider myself a pro at doing it on multiple clients and I ended up having to contact support to figure out how to do it with theirs.

It has everything going for it but still needs some polish and I am not certain the developers are "game" to doing the improvements that should be done.

eM Client makes it easy to manage multiple email accounts from one app.  

Advisor

Unlike web mail programs like Chrome with eM Client it is possibke to save emails to your hard drive (I prefer saving each and every email to my device).

Setting up RULES is a bit of a cumbersome process compared to Apple Mail.

The emClient PIM offers all of the capabilities needed for professional usage.

Research assistant

When using rules, the synchronisation of new emails from Yahoo mail bugs constantly (mixing emails, uploading them twice).

The platform has an easy to use interface and handles a large number of disparate email services without isse.

This is a basic function in most email clients, most notably, Apple Mail.

Good alternatives office suites lack robust PIM capabilities and that is always a real consideration.

Instead of offer free version with such limitation, I think they better offer a full free trial.

Email Client

Email Attachments

Calendar and Email Integration

Customer Support

User Interface

Bugs and Issues

Outlook Alternative

Pricing

Setup

Client Management

Mid-size Business

Small Business

Large Enterprises

Freelancers

Some reviewers appreciate that eM Client offers a free version with a wide range of features, finding it suitable for basic needs and noting its regular updates. They say the free option is especially valuable for users seeking an alternative to paid software. Some users report that the paid version is affordable and provides good functionality for the price. However, reviewers indicate that the free version has notable limitations, such as restricted account numbers and lack of customer support. Some users feel the subscription cost is high for the features provided and express dissatisfaction with the value received.

Gmail

Gmail is a free, advertising-supported email service offered as part of Google Workspace (formerly G Suite), with 15GB of storage, color-coded inbox filters, and 'unsend' button

Microsoft Outlook is a personal information manager from Microsoft which helps users communicate, manage schedules & find what they need quickly & easily

Tech Support

Good until they released 3.0 and destroyed all trust with current long-term loyal customers.

So rather an issue of the industry than the software provider.

Mailbird is a desktop email management application that helps businesses of all sizes synchronize messages from multiple accounts in a centralized inbox and connect the platform with LinkedIn. Mailbird's speed-reading functionality lets employees read at a fast pace to increase email productivity.

Activity Dashboard

Email Marketing

Email Tracking

Multiple User Accounts

Some users say Mailbird offers strong value for money, especially with the lifetime license option. However, some reviewers feel misled by unexpected upgrade charges and unclear pricing, and they report disappointment with free version limitations and ads.

Reviews for Mailbird come from a wide variety of industries, including Information Technology and Services (10% of reviewers), Computer Software (6%), and Marketing and Advertising (6%). The most frequent use case for Mailbird cited by reviewers is email management (83% of reviewers).

Linux

Kartra

Standard Yearly

Standard Pay Once

Premium Yearly

Premium Pay Once

Confusing and frustrating pricing

However, it appears this is not the case. While I understand that the development and maintenance of new software require resources and hence, costs, it's disappointing to face another payment request after purchasing what was marketed as a lifetime deal.

I stopped using it after a few months and then they charged me almost $100 for a year's subscription which I told them I was not going to use and they said they would refund me but never provided the refund then just ignored me all together.

36% of reviewers feel negative about Mailbird’s pricing. Reviewers indicate dissatisfaction with complicated subscription management, unexpected charges, and changes to lifetime deals. They say the free version is limited and contains intrusive advertisements, while the paid version does not always justify its cost. Some users report difficulties canceling renewals and obtaining refunds, and they express frustration over additional fees for upgrades. Reviewers feel the pricing structure lacks transparency and can lead to a sense of mistrust regarding the company’s business practices.

Persistent bugs and glitches

Business owner 

Some things are actually obviously broken, such as the text formatting, and the team won't do anything about it.

70% of reviewers feel negative about Mailbird’s bugs and issues. Reviewers report encountering frequent glitches, such as problems with integrations, context menus, and text formatting. They indicate that some bugs disrupt workflow, including freezing, error messages, and inconsistent performance with certain email services. Some users say customer support is slow to respond and often fails to resolve technical problems, leading to ongoing frustration. Reviewers mention that unresolved issues can significantly impact productivity, especially for those relying on Mailbird for business communication.

Effortless initial configuration

96% of reviewers feel positive about Mailbird’s setup process. Reviewers report that installation and configuration are straightforward and quick, requiring minimal technical knowledge. They appreciate being able to get started immediately without complex steps, which saves time and reduces frustration. Some users say the intuitive setup encourages them to recommend Mailbird to colleagues and friends. Reviewers find that the ease of setup makes transitioning from other email clients seamless, and they value the ability to configure multiple accounts with little effort.

Minimalist and intuitive design

IT Technical Project Manager

The software is very lightweight on system resources, is quick and easy to setup and offer a simple interface that is clean and easy to navigate.

97% of reviewers feel positive about Mailbird’s user interface. Reviewers indicate the interface is clean, modern, and easy to navigate, allowing them to manage contacts, lists, and multiple sources efficiently. They appreciate the minimalist design, which avoids clutter while still offering robust features. Some users say the drag-and-drop functionality and integration with productivity tools enhance their workflow. Reviewers find the UI approachable for both beginners and experienced users, noting it is visually appealing and logical. They say the interface is lightweight, quick, and provides a pleasant experience on various devices.

Versatile email management

91% of reviewers feel positive about Mailbird as an email client. Reviewers indicate it supports managing multiple email accounts efficiently and integrates with various email servers and services. They appreciate the intuitive and uncluttered design, which allows them to access all necessary tools without distractions. Some users say Mailbird’s compatibility with Exchange and other protocols is valuable for both personal and professional use. Reviewers find it reliable for daily communication and highlight its performance as a primary email solution.

Executive

I gave them 3 months to fix them.   After no fixes were delivered, I asked for my money back, with a clear audit trail of why (with all the tickets I had opened).  

I purchased Mailbird 2.0 lifetime version which they clearly said would qualify me for any future update, without any additional riders mentioned such as it would only But now I realise to use the full version of Mailbird 3.0 I need to pay again!

eM Client vs Mailbird Comparison (2026)

eM Client

Mailbird

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives