Ask HN: Email Client

4 gabeyaw 14 5/1/2025, 12:04:51 PM

I'm looking for an email client for my mac. I find outlook to be too bloated, here are my requirements: 1) Multiple email address support (outlook and gmail accounts), ideally can show all inboxes in one place 2) Calendar 3) Sensible shortcuts - I'm considering learning/slowly dipping in and out of vim so would be open to similar shortcuts 4) Optional: Suggests events based of a message. If someone says lets make a meeting at 14:00-15:00 1/6/25 , I don't want it to hyperlink a phone number that is +14001500162025, I want to click once to make the meeting.

I'd rather stick with a client that will last the test of time that I really learn, than a new start up client. I really got into Arc Browser but now there aren't any more updates other than security.

I don't even use email a lot, I'm just a regular student, but find that I want to use outlook less each time I use it

Comments (14)

icheyne · 5h ago

Thunderbird, by Mozilla who make Firefox, is free and open source. It can handle your requirements, but not sure about vim shortcuts and there's no AI functionality. It's been around for a long time

gabeyaw · 5h ago

Thanks, I don't need AI functionality (unless you mean the scheduling meetings) and tbh would rather avoid anything branded as AI

No comments yet

sybercecurity · 6h ago

I used MailMate (https://freron.com/) before and I liked it. Very customizable and the search functionality is better than Apple Mail or Outlook. Has some tool extensions to allow it to interact with some other apps.

It does not have a built in calendar though, so you will need to either get something else (there is an extension to allow MailMate to work with some calendars).

gabeyaw · 6h ago

Thanks. Do you use something different now? Is there a reason you left it

terminalbraid · 6h ago

I assume you've ruled out the native Mac client?

gabeyaw · 6h ago

Actually I haven't. I used to use it on an old macbook but it became buggy. I'd consider using it if you think it would be suitable

terminalbraid · 6h ago

It's what I use and it meets all your requests except maybe the hotkeys.

gabeyaw · 6h ago

Ok, I'll have a look. Mac OS lets you change the hotkeys in the menubar anyway, so not a back idea

Jeremy1026 · 4h ago

I use default Apple Mail. It meets points 1, 2, 4. 3 can be somewhat configured like you said.

gabeyaw · 6h ago

Thanks for the suggestion

victorbjorklund · 5h ago

Spark Email is good. Has 1-3. Maybe 4.

gabeyaw · 5h ago

Thanks

oulipo · 6h ago

I'm using Airmail Business version (one-time payment) which is quite nice

gabeyaw · 6h ago

Thanks, I'll have a look. I guess I should have said I was looking for a free client, but if it's good and long lasting then I guess it's worth the payment