desktop email software suggestions

wallofbeans

Hi All,

I have a Mac computer and use Outlook for my work emails and have been using Thunderbird for my other emails, but it is becoming very frustrating and I'm hoping to get some suggestions for decent alternatives.

The problems I'm having with Thunderbird are the awkwardness of changing font size and style, it seems to not have the same ease and consistancy as Outlook.

But also the odd way in which is seems to sometimes cause problems for people getting emails from me in 'dark mode'. I switched to this a long time ago on everything I can, but for some reason Thunderbird can't handle it - and I'll often get replies from people saying I sent them a blank email when I didn't; they are just seeing white text on a white background, rather than the white text on a black background that I sent.

Outlook never has this problem, and I'm assuming something in the email is telling the receivers software to switch the colour scheme to whatever they are using. 

Anyway. I want to keep my work emails separate and can only use Outlook for that, but finding something else that works as easily would be great.

I've tried Apple Mail (which I use on my phone) but there are issues with the icon and accompanying text sizing, and so that is now off the table.

Any other suggestions? What have you had a good experience with, outside of the above?

Frozen_up_north

Can you not use web access to your personal email? I use Gmail and have an app on my iPhone as well as web access on my desktop and laptop. It is so convenient compared to old fashioned software to send and receive email and everything is in sync.

Heedtheadvice

I recommend Mailfence. Have used it for a number of years ever since my Gmail account was monitored by Google. It was a security issue with Gmail.

Basic account is free , based in Belgium ( stricter laws regarding access than USA) simple to use and secure ( as far as I can tell). Can be linked to Outlook as a client for a common interface with your work account- not that I suggest doing that if you work in Donald's US government!! Too easy to make a 'mistake'.....

Has web access, app access and a simplified fast app access route too plus a few simple bells and whistles. Support is very good and fast when required with humans at the other end!

Never had them adding a holiday period automatically into my calendar!

Eyeful

1. If it has to be an email client for your Mac, then often recommended alternatives are:
Spark
Airmail
Mailspring
eM Client

2. Related to Thunderbird there is:
SeaMonkey
Betterbird

RumRat

I would also add BlueMail to the list.....Simple and just works for me on a PC and my phones/tablets....   Mac | BlueMail App

Vitor

eM Client has a very Outlook-like interface, including calendar and contacts and better font handling than Thunderbird

Frozen_up_north

Heedtheadvice said:

I recommend Mailfence. Have used it for a number of years ever since my Gmail account was monitored by Google. It was a security issue with Gmail.

I only use Gmail for unimportant stuff and do not use Google Drive. The OP was asking for thoughts on accessing their current email provider, not an alternative email service.

Google, Apple and Microsoft are not providing secure email, ie many UK organisations can require access under the “Snoopers Charter”. I use Tuta Mail (German based) and Proton Drive for cloud storage.
https://tuta.com/secure-email

unforeseen

Have different profiles in Outlook such as work & personal. You can then open Outlook in the relevant profile for what you want to do. 

Heedtheadvice

Frozen_up_north said:

Heedtheadvice said:

I recommend Mailfence. Have used it for a number of years ever since my Gmail account was monitored by Google. It was a security issue with Gmail.

The OP was asking for thoughts on accessing their current email provider, not an alternative email service

Ah! Missed that,  thanks

wallofbeans

unforeseen said:

Have different profiles in Outlook such as work & personal. You can then open Outlook in the relevant profile for what you want to do. 

I'm trying to avoid opening my work email software (ie outlook) when I'm not working. I worry that doing this would tempt me to check work emails though...

wallofbeans

Thanks all - this is amazingly helpful. Many of these didn't show up when I googled, so this is fantastic and I've done a bit of research on many of them already.

eM Client looks like a good option. It's got the most solid reviews and looks like it does all I need. Although annoyingly, I have three email addresses I'd want to set up on it and they only allow 2 on the free version.

Spark also looks good, except that it has an unremovable signature that says something like 'sent with Spark' and people hate that, as do I - so will be avoiding. 

The others all have mixed reviews, or weird quirks that put me off. 

I might try eM Client with two email accounts, and put the third (hardly ever used) on Apple Mail instead.