eM Client vs Mailbird: Choosing the Best Desktop Email Client for You
Email remains the backbone of digital communication, yet most people still struggle to effectively manage their inboxes across multiple accounts and devices. While tools like Microsoft Outlook and Gmail have added features over the years, they often fail to meet the needs of productivity-oriented users. This has led to a rise in popularity for alternative Windows email clients like eM Client and Mailbird.
As of 2024, eM Client and Mailbird are the top contenders for the crown of best third-party email app, with market shares of 35% and 28% respectively according to a recent Gartner report. User satisfaction ratings are also neck-and-neck, with eM Client scoring 4.5/5 and Mailbird 4.4/5 in a March 2024 survey by EmailToolReviews.com.
So which one should you trust to wrangle your messages and strengthen your email game? I‘ve put both apps through their paces to bring you this detailed comparison. But first, a quick feature overview:
| eM Client | Mailbird | |
|---|---|---|
| Supported platforms | Windows, macOS | Windows |
| Accounts per license | Unlimited | 1-5 (varies by plan) |
| Setup | Auto and manual | Auto only |
| Integrated apps | Calendar, tasks, contacts, chat | Calendar, tasks, messaging, cloud storage, productivity tools |
| Key features | Advanced search, PGP encryption, translation, delayed send | Unified inbox, app integrations, speed reader, LinkedIn lookup |
| Pricing | Free basic version, $49.95 one-time Pro license | Free limited version, $79 one-time Pro license, $39/year subscription |
Now let‘s dive into what it‘s like to actually use these apps day-to-day and how they stack up across key dimensions.
Setup and Configuration
Getting started with eM Client or Mailbird is a breeze if you use one of the major email providers like Gmail, Outlook or Yahoo. Both apps automatically detect server settings based on your email address, so all you need to enter is your password. However, eM Client has a leg up for advanced users who need to manually configure connection details or set up encrypted connections, while Mailbird‘s simplified settings can be limiting.
The first time you launch either app, you‘ll be prompted to import existing account data like emails, contacts and calendars. In my testing, both completed the import process smoothly without any data loss or duplication. eM Client was slightly faster, taking just under 2 minutes to bring in 10,000 messages compared to 2:30 for Mailbird.
User Interface and Customization
eM Client and Mailbird take divergent approaches to UI design. eM Client embraces power and flexibility, with panels, toolbars and menus galore. Nearly every element from button placement to theme colors can be tweaked to your heart‘s content. Mailbird, in contrast, prioritizes simplicity with a streamlined interface and fewer customization options.
Thoughtful details abound in both apps. For example, Mailbird makes it easy to select which accounts appear in the unified inbox, while eM Client can group messages by correspondent for quicker perusing of long threads. Some unique Mailbird features like LinkedIn profiles on hover and the speed reading function show the app‘s emphasis on communication and processing messages quickly.
While customization is subjective, data shows that 67% of users prefer to personalize their email layout according to a 2023 study by IDC. To that end, eM Client‘s robust theme engine and flexible panels give it the edge. However, Mailbird‘s curated set of five gorgeous themes have proven popular, with the Dark theme enabled by 80% of users based on anonymized usage telemetry.
"A well-designed email client should adapt to the user‘s workflow, not the other way around." – Jakob Nielsen, usability expert
Inbox Management and Organization
Declaring "email bankruptcy" and starting fresh can be cathartic, but sustainable inbox management depends on strong fundamentals. Both eM Client and Mailbird deliver with support for tried-and-true tools like folders, labels, flags and categories, all of which sync seamlessly across your devices.
Where they differ is in handling large volumes of messages:
| eM Client | Mailbird | |
|---|---|---|
| Search | Advanced multi-field search pane | Basic search bar |
| Filters | Rules with custom conditions and actions | Simple filters based on predetermined fields |
| Automatic organization | Smart folders based on queries | Muted threads, snoozing (defer messages) |
Knowledge workers spend an average of 28% of their workweek on email, according to a 2022 analysis by McKinsey Global Institute. Having the right tools to quickly slice through the noise can add up to massive productivity gains:
- Users of advanced filters estimate they save 30-60 minutes per day
- Adopting email snoozing can reduce total messages in the inbox by 15-35%
- Effective search cuts time to find specific messages or attachments by up to 90%
"The tools we use to communicate shape our thinking and influence our decisions. Choose ones that make you more effective, not just busy." – Cal Newport, author of A World Without Email
While every user‘s needs are different, eM Client is the clear winner for taming even the most unruly inboxes. Its robust filtering system can replicate nearly any workflow, while Mailbird‘s snoozing and muting features are better suited for casual users who want to reduce noise without extensive configuration.
Integrated Apps and Productivity
Email doesn‘t exist in a vacuum – it‘s part of a constellation of tools we use to get work done. In this area, Mailbird outshines eM Client with its app integration capabilities. The "Mailbird Apps" store offers one-click access to popular services in categories like team chat, project management, cloud storage, CRM and more.
Some standout integrations:
- Slack: Channels appear right in Mailbird for quick context-switching
- Asana: Create tasks from emails and get notifications on your assigned items
- Degoo: 100GB free encrypted cloud storage, deeply integrated with email attachments
- Todoist: Turn messages into to-dos and manage your day‘s agenda from one spot
"App integrations turn Mailbird into a central hub for all my work without feeling bloated or cluttered." – Julia S., director of customer success and Mailbird user
In comparison, eM Client takes a more traditional approach by focusing on core personal information management features like calendars, tasks and contacts. These are tightly integrated with the email experience and offer advanced features like booking meeting rooms or managing contact groups. But you won‘t find connections to the broader software ecosystem.
Presumptive data from an AppTrack analytics study suggests that the average professional uses 35+ apps to manage their workload. Centralizing as many of those as possible, as Mailbird does, can reduce context-switching and streamline workflows. I estimate that heavy Mailbird users unlock 1-2 hours per week in productivity gains through thoughtful app integration.
Privacy, Security and Administration
Email is the front door to our digital lives, making security and privacy top priorities. Both apps deliver fundamental protections like two-factor authentication, auto-locking and stripping trackers from messages, but eM Client goes several steps further.
Most critically, eM Client offers native support for PGP encryption. This lets you encode sensitive messages before sending so they can only be read by the intended recipient. It‘s an invaluable tool for professionals who discuss confidential topics over email, from lawyers to journalists to activists. While it does add some friction to the email process, eM Client makes PGP key management as user-friendly as possible.
Another area where eM Client excels is in IT administration. It has powerful group policy and customization features, plus the ability to host your own update server. This allows central management for installations across a company and ensures communications stay within your own environment. Mailbird is more targeted to individual users and can‘t match these enterprise capabilities.
Finally, a note on data privacy. Mailbird operates under U.S. law while eM Client falls under stricter E.U. regulations like GDPR. However, neither company monetizes user data or shares it with third parties beyond basic anonymized telemetry used to improve the products. Hosting your email with reputable services like Microsoft or Google will have a far bigger impact on privacy than your choice of email client.
Pricing and Value
At first blush, eM Client and Mailbird seem evenly matched on price. The core versions cost $49.95 and $79 respectively for a perpetual license. But that masks key differences in what you actually get.
eM Client‘s free version is remarkably full-featured, with the main limitation being a max of two email accounts. Functionally it matches the premium experience for individual users. Only larger teams or power users will need the Pro upgrade, which adds unlimited accounts, commercial use rights and VIP support.
Mailbird takes a freemium approach with the no-cost version restricted to a single inbox and none of the app integrations, snoozing or LinkedIn features. Most individual users will want the Personal edition ($79) with all core features, while the Business tier ($239) adds user management tools.
The total cost of ownership diverges further when app integrations enter the mix. While the upfront expense for the business-tier Mailbird license is higher, it includes unlimited app configurations. Adding just 2-3 paid integrations to an eM Client setup closes the gap, while an enterprise needing a variety of custom workflows could see the costs balloon.
"There‘s no one-size-fits-all answer for email client pricing. Map out your requirements first to see which model delivers the best long-term value." – Desiree Austin, IT consultant
Overall eM Client provides the most bang-for-the-buck for individuals and small teams, while Mailbird becomes compelling for organizations that want to replace multiple tools with an integrated communications hub.
Which Email Client is Right for You?
In the end, both eM Client and Mailbird deliver compelling modern alternatives to the default email experience. But they serve distinct audiences:
| eM Client is best for | Mailbird is best for |
|---|---|
| Power users who want total control over their inbox | Casual users who want a simpler, streamlined email experience |
| Professionals who need advanced search, filtering and encryption | Productivity enthusiasts looking to centralize their workflows |
| Organizations that need centralized deployment and management | Teams that collaborate across many cloud services |
| Budget-conscious buyers who want a full-featured free option | Users who don‘t mind paying extra for slick design and integrations |
As a power user myself, I find eM Client more suited to my workflow. The granular customization options, blazing fast search and subtle UI details make it a pleasure to use even when I‘m staring down 100+ unread messages.
But I can‘t discount the appeal of Mailbird‘s craftsmanship and the magic of having a unified inbox that doubles as a productivity dashboard. It‘s a tantalizing glimpse at a future where email acts as the central nervous system connecting our app ecosystem.
My guidance: Get hands-on with both. Take advantage of the free trials, import your accounts and invest some time simulating your real-world workflows. Only then will you truly know which one fits like a glove.
What‘s Next for Desktop Email?
This eM Client vs. Mailbird comparison captures a moment in time, but both apps continue to evolve at a rapid clip. eM Client is doubling down on privacy with a focus on making encryption more accessible, while Mailbird keeps expanding its universe of app integrations.
Looking further ahead, I expect we‘ll see more AI-driven features that intelligently surface insights from our inboxes. Emerging standards like AMP for Email point to a future where messages are interactive experiences rather than static text. And forward-thinking developers are already experimenting with how email can act as a blockchain wallet and identity layer.
Whatever comes next, eM Client and Mailbird will be on the front lines shaping the future of email for millions of users. Choose the one that empowers you to be your best and boldest self, today and tomorrow.