Gmail is a popular and free web-based email client provided by Google Inc. Before Nov 2012, Gmail was free for accessing corporate emails. But, the announcement of Google Apps for Business turned Gmail as a paid service for small organizations. So, everyone started up to search for free desktop email clients that can provide the experience of Gmail.
Here are the top five desktop email clients that equal the experience of Gmail:
1. Windows Live Mail:
Supported OS: Windows
Windows Live Mail is a highly-customized desktop email client provided by Windows for free. It is the successor of Microsoft Outlook. It is one of the products of the Windows Essential Suite, which comes along with SkyDrive, Messenger, and more.
Some of the best features of Windows Live Mail are easy account setup, photo email, album privacy, organize conversations, and calendar sync.
Download Windows Live Mail
2. Thunderbird:
Supported OS: Windows / Mac / Linux
Thunderbird is the best desktop email software developed by the Mozilla Foundation. On its first release in 2004, it reached 1,000,000 downloads in ten days. This open source software is loaded with great features and available for free download.
Some of the great features available in Thunderbird are quick setup, easy customization, junk filtering, themes, extensions, message management, and more.
Download Thunderbird
3. eM Client:
Supported OS: Windows
eM Client is a user-friendly desktop email client developed in 2006. It is available for free download, but the company has limited it with two email accounts. The paid version is known as an eM Client Pro, and it provides unlimited support.
Some of the features of eM Client free are easy import from Outlook, super fast search, calendar interface, automatic account setup, translate messages into other languages, and more.
Download eM Client Free
4. Opera Mail:
Supported OS: Windows / Mac / Linux
Opera Mail is a freeware desktop email client provided by Opera Software. It has a good looking appearance with great features. It is recommended by me because of its unlimited email accounts with the commercial use facility.
Some of the useful features of Opera Mail are lightweight, customizable, spam filter, displays HTML messages, contact manager, and more.
Download Opera Mail
5. Zimbra:
Supported OS: Windows / Mac / Linux
Zimbra is an open source, groupware desktop email client currently owned by Telligent Systems. Zimbra email is integrated with Zimbra desktop software. There are two versions in Zimbra – one is open source and other is commercially supported version.
Some of the good features of Zimbra are offline user experience, sync calendars, contacts, files, documents, social network integration, and more.
Download Zimbra Desktop