The flow of email headed your way never abates, and you need a robust and easy-to-use Windows 10 app to help you manage it all. The Mail app that comes with Windows 10 is more than enough for a lot of people, but there are hundreds of other email apps vying for your attention. If you've recently moved to a work from home situation, having a proper email app is no doubt more important than ever. To help you decide which is best suited for you, we rounded up a bunch of the best out there that work with Windows 10.
Free Email
Thunderbird is a free, open-source email client from Mozilla, most famous for its Firefox web browser. It's full of features that make it easy to navigate and use, and there are a ton of add-ons available for specialized needs. At its core, you're getting a powerful mail tool with a tab system, built-in web search bar, smart folders, real-time contact chat, one-click address book, and more.
Part of Office 365
Although Outlook comes bundled in most Office 365 plans, it can also be purchased separately. Outlook supports practically every email service, allowing you to keep track of all your addresses in one spot. Along with calendar and task integration, Outlook has a load of adjustable inbox rules to help keep you in the know.
Lightweight Client
Mailbird is a lightweight client that won't bog down your PC, but it can be fully customized to have it look exactly how you want. You can sync all of your accounts into one manageable inbox, and you can create your own quick replies, drag and drop attachments, and even search for messages just by clicking a user's profile picture. A free trial is available, as well as monthly or lifetime subscriptions.
Lots of Customization
With plenty of customization options — including those for behavior and appearance — and support for popular email services, you can easily make it feel like you've been using eM Client for years. An update added PGP encryption support for anyone who needs to send encrypted emails, plus live backup will now run while you continue working within the app. A free version without all features is available, though the Pro version is a one-time buy.
Simple User Interface
Veteran Windows users will be immediately reminded of the old days when they see the Claws Mail user interface. Don't let its simplicity fool you; this is an able app geared toward advanced users who don't mind setting things up on their own, and it works well on older PCs thanks to low system requirements. The retro vibe (and everything else) is completely free.
Have a Conversation
Dealing with traditional email might be starting to feel a bit antiquated, especially in the face of instant messaging apps, but Spike attempts to bridge the gap. It displays email as more of a conversation, with read and send receipts, avatars, and smart organization. Apps are available for Windows 10, macOS, iOS, and Android, and you can give it a shot for free for a personal account, with Pro accounts starting at $6 per month.
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If you're struggling to handle your flow of email in your current app, any of these options will surely help. As far as free options go, Thunderbird is an outstanding open-source app full of features that many can't leave behind. It's lightweight so it won't bog down your system, it's secure, and it's stocked with the tools needed to get a handle on incoming and outgoing messages.
As for a paid app, Outlook has been treating us well for years. It's the app many of us know and love, thanks to wide email service support, calendar and task integration, and many more features that work with you rather than against you.
Considering you can buy Outlook as a separate purchase or as part of an Office 365 subscription, you can get your hands on the full suite of Office software for one basic price that includes 1TB of OneDrive storage. Quite the deal.
