Most modern Linux distros come with a pre-installed desktop email client to enable users manage their existing email accounts. For instance, if you install a new Ubuntu on your machine you don’t have to install any desktop email client anymore as Ubuntu is already equipped with Thunderbird, a popular email client in the open source scope.

If you install KDE-based distro, chance that you will have a KMail installed on your machine.

In Linux, we have so many choices of desktop email clients and they mostly available for free, although there some that require you to pay some dollars to get more features.

Below are the 9 best desktop email client apps that you can try to manage your emails from your Linux desktop.

1. Thunderbird

If you ask an experienced Linux user what is desktop email client you have to use for managing your email accounts, chance that he/she will suggest Thunderbird. The Mozilla’s product has been around for more than a decade and still become the first choice by most Linux users. You can manage multiple email accounts with Thunderbird. The email client supports major email services such as Gmail and Yahoo. It also supports common protocols including POP 3 and IMAP.

2. Nylas

Nylas is a cross-platform desktop email client that comes with a clean and pretty interface. Linux is one of the platforms that is supported by Nylas. Nylas is basically an open source project, but it’s also offers a premium service. If you curious about the source code of this app you can visits its GitHub page. Nylas has some features to let you get the things done quicker and easier. The features include undo send, reply template, and translate.

3. Zimbra Desktop

Zimbra is also a famous names in terms of email. You can build your own email service with Zimbra to strengthen your company’s brand. However, if you just need an app to access your existing email accounts at Gmail or Yahoo, Zimbra is also a nice choice. Zimbra offers a desktop client app that you can install to your machine, no matter it’s Windows, Mac or Linux. Apart from accessing inbox, you can also use Zimbra to manage your contacts and tasks. Zimbra also features an integrated email search engine which enable you to quickly filter select messages matching with their query parameters.

4. Claws Mail

Claws Mail is a very simple desktop email client that is built with GTK+. All major Linux distros are supported by this app. Claws Mail doesn’t offer too much features. It’s focused on bringing the incoming messages to your desktop instead of web. However, you can also accomplish more tasks with this app. Claws Mail supports additional add-ons.

5. Hiri

Hiri is a paid app but it’s really worth for giving it a try. If you want to probe this app you will be given a 30-days trial before deciding to continue using it or stop the middle of road. Hiri is a good produck for business. Apart from sending messages and organizing inbox, you can also use this app to manage your task. Hiri is also a great tool for a teamwork.

6. Evolution

Evolution is a standard desktop email client for GNOME-based Linux. Other desktop environment can also install this app. Just for testing or a long term use. Aside from its basic role as an inbox manager, Evolution can also be used to manage contacts, calendar and task list. It’s built with GTK+ and has a simple enough interface. Some Linux distros — GNOME-based ones in particular — adopt Evolution as their default email client. Previously, Ubuntu — one of the most favorite Linux distros — also use Evolution as its default email client before it’s replaced with Thunderbird since version 11.10.

7. KMail

If you feel more comfortable working with KDE, KMail would be a great choice. The email client is one of the pre-installed applications in the KDE world. Which mean, you don’t have to install it anymore as it’s already available by default. However, KMail is also runs seamlessly in other desktop environment. The email client also comes with a numbers of features to help you accomplish more such as to-do list, email shorter and grammar spelling for English. KMail supports three protocols POP3, SMTP, dan IMAP.

8. Geary

The main purpose of Geary’s development is nothing but to help you bring back your messages from web to desktop. The project of Geary was started by Yorba Foundation but has been taken by GNOME. This email client is written using Vala, an object-oriented programming language.

As it is aimed to bring your message to desktop, Geary can be used to open your existing accounts from major services such as Gmail, Yahoo and Outlook. It also has a lot of features including notifications and signature.

9. Sylpheed

Last but not least. We have a sleek, lightweight email client called Sylpheed. Most lightweight Linux distros such as Puppy Linux, Lubuntu and Damn Small Linux adopt Sylpheed as their default email client. The mail client has no abundance features but it’s good enough to bring your messages to desktop for easier access. Sylpheed is built with GTK+ and supports additional add-ons to let users get the more.