This material will present a list of the best email clients for the Windows operating system. We have studied the best applications in detail and compiled a rating of the best and most functional software products.
An email client is undoubtedly the optimal solution when working with e-mail. Let's consider cases when such software is needed:
- users can configure the software in such a way that letters received in the mailbox will be available directly on the computer;
- Can connect several boxes, which will eliminate confusion, each will have a separate structure, and you can switch between them in one click. You can configure it so that all letters will be sent to one mailbox;
- also mailers have quite good encryption algorithms and safety;
- users get access to letters, even if they cannot access the Internet;
- mail sorting by topic. You can create any number of folders, and also set parameters for automatically sorting mail into these folders;
- when writing new letters, it is possible to interrupt this process by saving the draft to the drafts folder in order to return to editing later;
- much Internet traffic is saved when viewing and downloading attachments.
The best email programs
Outlook
An email program that is part of the Microsoft Office suite. Available via Office 365 subscription (from RUB 269.00 per month. It is also possible to purchase the software as a standalone application (in this case, the final price will be RUB 7,499).
One of the advantages of the product is that users do not have to use an Outlook domain. It is optimized to work with most email services. Users can add accounts: Gmail, Yandex, Yahoo, Rambler, Mail and others. The software also has calendar integration, task schedule, contact manager. The main advantage of the program is that there are functions that allow you to set certain rules for processing email. You can set an alert if you receive a letter that contains certain keywords. Letters can be placed in separate folders and sorted by predefined attributes.
The disadvantages are that the interface can be confusing for a novice user. But developers are improving the software; it recently received an updated interface and support for some macros that can automate the work process. Thus, Microsoft Outlook is the best solution for business. It will help you separate your email into personal and work.
Mailbird
Shareware client for working with mail. The free version has significant limitations, so to access full functionality you will have to buy the advanced version for $1 per month or $45 for a lifetime license.
The email client lives up to its name (mail bird). It is a functional program that does not require many resources and works great works on weak machines, this is precisely the feature of the software.
Mailbird – allows users to make flexible settings: display of tool icons, theme, fonts. Mailbird developers have created truly functional and easy-to-use software. It eliminates unnecessary intermediate steps when performing various actions, resulting in a streamlined workflow. Create quick reply templates, add attachments with drag and drop, and search messages with a simple tap on your profile picture.
If you receive a message from a contact who is not on your list, in just a few seconds you can view his profile on the social network LinkedIn, which is a definite advantage compared to others. It is worth noting that the software has support for several third-party services: Dropbox, Facebook, Google Docs, Twitter and WhatsApp. 
Advantages:
- low demands on computer resources;
- integration with additional services;
- possibilities for personalization;
- simple and fast management of multiple email accounts.
Flaws:
- The free version lacks many features; you will need to purchase a paid version.
eM Client
The program has in its arsenal a fairly large set of necessary options: an organizer, a contact manager, and a task schedule. An important feature is possibility of live communication between users in real time. It is also possible to import and export settings to other email programs.
Additional features include spell checking, a built-in translator for more than 50 languages, and sharing events and tasks with other users. At the same time, live chat allows you to exchange files, which is very convenient than sending them in a letter.
It is distributed under both a free and paid license. The free version lacks many features for managing your email account. Therefore for full-fledged work with eM Client, you will need to purchase the full version for $50. 
Advantages:
- functionality;
- live chat in real time;
- import and export settings to other clients.
Flaws:
- Compared to many other software, it does not offer a large selection of tools for managing your email account. The software is more aimed at ordinary users who prefer to quickly access mail;
- functionality limitations in the free version.
Inky
The client is the most secure means of managing email. The developers tried to make an application that will allow protect as much as possible your data. Indeed, in some cases, data transmitted via email may fall into the hands of attackers. Inky's end-to-end encryption helps prevent unauthorized access attempts.
It has an intuitive interface and simple navigation. Users can share files and import data into other clients. To optimize your email experience tags are applied, allowing you to quickly find the message you need. Incoming messages are processed automatically.
The program is shareware. The trial period lasts only 14 days. During this period, users can take advantage of the full functionality and also add Outlook, Gmail or iCloud accounts. Subscription is issued only monthly at a price of $5. 
Advantages:
- reliability and security of user data;
- functionality;
- convenient mail management;
- intuitive interface.
Flaws:
- support for a small number of email services.
The application has been in development for a long time. It is worth noting that it is intended primarily for advanced users. When using this client, all necessary settings must be performed manually. The application can import an unlimited number of accounts.
The main feature is that it consumes enough small amount of resources, which will be an ideal prerogative for low-power personal computers. But this is also a drawback; there is no ability to use HTML and advanced application connection functions. The advantages in this case include a large number of built-in plugins that allow you to filter incoming messages and limit unwanted mail.
The special feature is that the software is distributed absolutely free of charge. 
Zimbra Desktop
The free email program, which is under constant development, is due to the fact that the program is open source. Thanks to this feature of this software, the best application for Windows OS was created for users.
The program has a contact manager, a functional organizer, and a task scheduler. All these features will help users optimize as much as possible your work with email. Another feature is that Zimbra Desktop has a multi-document graphical interface with tabs. Thanks to this, you can open several windows where different processes will be executed and you can switch between them in a couple of clicks.
If it is not possible to connect to the network, then all working data will be saved to the hard drive and will be available in a local copy. Allows you to work with the following accounts: Gmail, Yahoo and Outlook. 
Advantages:
- open source made it possible to make the application as convenient and functional as possible;
- convenient navigation and tabbed interface;
- the ability to work without an Internet connection;
- the client is completely free.
No significant deficiencies were observed during operation.
Free email client with a good graphical interface for Windows 7/8/10. It combines easy navigation, eye-catching design and functionality. The program is optimized for laptops, convertible laptops and tablet PCs. Allows you to import mail accounts and POP3 accounts.
The main feature of the client is, first and foremost, design. This makes it stand out from other software. Users also have tools at their disposal that will allow them to optimize your email experience. Sorting messages into specific folders, searching by key phrases and tags. Advanced filtering will help you easily manage the flow of messages. The application is absolutely free. 
Advantages:
- graphical interface;
- convenient navigation;
- optimization for touch devices;
- convenient management tools;
- the program is completely free.
Flaws:
- the presence of advertising modules asking you to purchase related software.
Thunderbird from the developers of the Mozilla browser stands out built-in extension system, which allows you to extend the client's functionality using plugins created by the Thunderbird community. Analogue and practically the best alternative to Outlook.
The advantage of the program is that it has a built-in setup wizard that will allow you to set the necessary parameters for proper functioning. Search algorithms will help you quickly find the necessary letters in a large array of data. If you have to work with huge amounts of information, then built-in activity manager, tracking all activities will be a useful tool to find the message you need.
Thunderbird uses a tabbed interface that makes working with your email easier and keeping you organized. Additionally, the software is equipped with a calendar, organizer, schedule, address book, attachment processor and filters that allow you to protect the user from unwanted emails. 
Advantages:
- functionality;
- setup wizard;
- convenient message search system;
- Numerous tools to expand functionality.
No significant deficiencies were identified in working with the software.
The Bat!
The Bat! – one of the best and most functional email clients for the Windows operating system. The main feature is that the program has advanced security algorithms. Protects its users from unauthorized access to email.
The Bat! can protect information using traffic encryption and SSL/TLS protocols. It is possible to encrypt user data on the hard drive. The program for working with e-mail is paid and available at a price of 2 thousand rubles for 1 license. 
Advantages:
- intuitive interface;
- protection of personal data;
- functionality.
Flaws:
- You can use the program only after purchase. There is no trial version available.
Free mailer from the developers of the Opera browser. Moreover, it is an additional built-in tool in the Internet browser itself. The program, in terms of interface, is very similar to the browser of the same name, so for Opera users it will be the most optimal solution. 
The main features are support for most protocols: smtp, imap, esmtp and pops. There are also tools that allow you to filter mail, thereby getting rid of spam. The navigation and interface are quite user-friendly, allowing you to quickly access the options you need. There is a search engine with which you can quickly search for the messages you need using tags and keywords.
Advantages:
- the program is absolutely free;
- intuitive user interface;
- functionality;
- Convenient email management.
Flaws:
- inability to archive mail (saving a local copy);
- various failures.
Built-in Windows 8 and 10 client
The built-in service in the Windows 8 and 10 operating systems is a pretty good tool for working with email. Among the features we can highlight is that it can be customized to suit your preferences: change the window theme, background image. 
In the "eight" this client has a very limited functionality and a minimum number of settings for control. According to the developers, it is optimized to work on touch devices, and not on computers. The program has the following functionality built into it: working with multiple mailboxes, moving letters into separate folders, and the ability to sort letters by certain attributes. In version 10 of the operating system, some additional functions were added: text formatting and working with tables.
Advantages:
- no need to download, the service is built into the operating system;
- optimized for touch devices.
Flaws:
- limited set of settings for managing mail.
Koma-Mail
Koma-Mail is a free email program for Windows, designed to check the mail server for new messages using the popular POP3, IMAP, SMTP and WebDAV (Hotmail) protocols.
The program has the following functionality: antispam and custom filters, secure connection via SSL protocol, blocking letters, which include ActiveX components and other scripts. It has a simple graphical interface, export and import of data and RSS, the use of several accounts at once to manage two or more email accounts. 
SeaMonkey
It is not only a postal agent, but represents a set of different utilities: Browser, email service, HTML builder, address book and real-time chat that allows you to share files. SeaMonkey, like Thunderbird, is developed by Mozilla, so functionally they are quite similar. 
Advantages:
- functionality;
- The free version of the software is not inferior in functionality to the paid version;
- convenient user interface.
Flaws:
- it is not possible to work with tools in one window;
- There are almost no updates coming out.
Postbox
An unusual email client that stands out among other software. Unlike most mailers, which use a folder-search or folder-search-tags system to sort inboxes, everything is a little different here. You can place messages in folders and assign a label to each. Another possibility for organizing correspondence is sort by favorites topics. Inboxes are grouped by discussion, a principle used in Gmail.
In addition to standard functionality, Postbox supports working with social networks. If the received letter contains a link, you can save it, and the necessary fragment of text can be sent to Twitter or FriendFeed. 
One of the disadvantages is that spell checking is performed only in English-language texts. There is no possibility to expand functionality, there is no export.
Blue mail
This application will soon be released for the Windows operating system. For now beta version expected, you can access it now by filling out the appropriate form on the developers’ website bluemail.me. According to the developers, convenient tools for mail management, personalization, filtering and data protection will be introduced into the client. The service will be optimized for touch devices and desktops.
Rating of email clients
| Place in the ranking | Service name | Peculiarities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Possibility to expand functionality using plugins | |
| 2 | Zimbra Desktop | Functional |
| 3 | Mailbird | Undemanding to resources |
| 4 | Outlook | The best solution for organizing mail |
| 5 | Mailbird | The fastest |
| 6 | eM Client | Allows you to communicate with users via chat |
| 7 | Maximum optimized for touch devices | |
| 8 | Inky | The most reliable |
| 9 | Functional solution for experienced users | |
| 10 | The Bat! | Better protection of personal data |
| 11 | Easy navigation through the user interface | |
| 12 | Koma-Mail | Advanced email filtering algorithms |
| 13 | Postbox | Integration with various services |
| 14 | SeaMonkey | Universal software that includes various utilities |
| 15 | Built-in Windows 8 and 10 client | No download required. At the same time, a limited set of settings for working with mail |
| 16 | Blue Mail | Functional software for touch devices. |
