Alternatives to aerc
Modern terminal email for developers
aerc ranks #22 of 22 in Email clients, with an Alt Score of 42. It is licensed under MIT, free and available on Linux and macOS. 5 of 11 checklist rows are verified against a public source.
Developers and other terminal-focused power users who want to manage email without leaving the command line, including those who submit patches via email-based git workflows.
A terminal email client with vim-style keybindings and an ex-command system for automation. It supports IMAP, Maildir, Notmuch, Mbox, and JMAP for mail storage, and IMAP, JMAP, SMTP, or sendmail for sending. It renders HTML mail in a terminal browser, syntax-highlights diffs, and supports PGP signing and encryption plus multiple accounts.
You configure one or more accounts and backends, then navigate mail and folders with vim-style keys or ex-commands. Composing and replying opens your editor in an embedded terminal (tmux-style), so you can check incoming mail while drafting.
Where aerc stands out
Verified capabilities most alternatives don't have.
Why people leave aerc
Dashed reasons are sourced facts; the rest are opinions. Vendors can dispute.
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Ranked alternatives
Ordered by Alt Score. Click any score to see the breakdown.
Feature comparison
How aerc compares with its alternatives, feature by feature.
| Email clients checklist | aerc | eM Client | BlueMail | Canary Mail | The Bat! | Apple Mail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | ||||||
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| Protocols (IMAP / POP3 / JMAP / Exchange) | ||||||
| Unified inbox | ||||||
| Snooze & send later | ||||||
| Tracking pixel blocking | ||||||
| PGP / encryption support | ||||||
| Conversation view | ||||||
| Offline mode | ||||||
| Rules & filters (local) | ||||||
| Calendar integrated | ||||||
| Multiple identities/aliases | ||||||
| Keyboard-first shortcuts |
Every fact and feature listed for aerc is verified against its own pages. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.
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License MIT verified 2026-07-12
The MIT License
https://github.com/rjarry/aerc/blob/master/LICENSE -
Pricing model Free verified 2026-07-12
Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction"
Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the
https://github.com/rjarry/aerc/blob/master/LICENSE -
Platforms Linux, macOS verified 2026-07-12
aerc will copy the default config files to ~/.config/aerc on Linux or ~/Library/Preferences/aerc on MacOS
https://github.com/rjarry/aerc/blob/master/README.md -
Status active verified 2026-07-12
May 27, 2026
https://github.com/rjarry/aerc/commits/master -
Protocols (IMAP / POP3 / JMAP / Exchange) Partial verified 2026-07-12
See each protocol's man page for more details: - *aerc-imap*(5) - *aerc-jmap*(5) - *aerc-maildir*(5) - *aerc-notmuch*(5)
https://github.com/rjarry/aerc/blob/master/doc/aerc-accounts.5.scd -
PGP / encryption support Yes verified 2026-07-12
*pgp-provider* = _auto_|_gpg_|_internal_ If set to _gpg_, aerc will use system gpg binary and keystore for all crypto operations.
https://github.com/rjarry/aerc/blob/master/doc/aerc-config.5.scd -
Conversation view Partial verified 2026-07-12
*threading-enabled* = _true_|_false_ Enable a threaded view of messages. If this is not supported by the backend (IMAP server or notmuch), threads will be built by the client. Default: _false_
https://github.com/rjarry/aerc/blob/master/doc/aerc-config.5.scd -
Multiple identities/aliases Yes verified 2026-07-12
*aliases* = _<address1,address2,address3...>_ All aliases of the current account. These will be used to fill in the From: field.
https://github.com/rjarry/aerc/blob/master/doc/aerc-accounts.5.scd -
Keyboard-first shortcuts Yes verified 2026-07-12
j = :next<Enter> k = :prev<Enter> g = :select 0<Enter> G = :select -1<Enter>
https://github.com/rjarry/aerc/blob/master/config/binds.conf
FAQ
Yes. eM Client, BlueMail and Canary Mail have a free tier or are fully free. Free-tier limits in the comparison table are verified and dated.
FairEmail, Evolution and Mailspring — every license claim links its source.