Claws Mail vs Windows Mail: is it a good Linux alternative?

Claws Mail as a Linux alternative to Windows Mail

Updated October 21, 2026

Our verdict

Claws Mail is a strong replacement for Windows Mail if you value speed and keyboard control over visual polish. It handles multiple IMAP/POP3 accounts, offers powerful search, and supports calendar via plugins. The interface is dense and functional rather than modern, which may feel dated to some. It lacks native HTML composition, relying on external editors for plain text. If you want a lightweight, stable client that respects your time and doesn't bloat your system, this is a solid choice. Avoid it if you need a sleek, mouse-driven experience or heavy HTML email creation.

Feature parity85%

License: GPL-3.0-only
Price: Free
Latest version: 4.4.0 (March 9, 2026)
Rating: —

Install Claws Mail Website ↗

The main window

What works the same

Supports multiple email accounts via IMAP, POP3, and SMTP
Lightweight resource usage compared to heavier clients
Built-in search capabilities across message bodies and headers
Support for importing and exporting mail data

What is different

No native HTML composition; requires external editors for plain text
Calendar integration is plugin-based rather than core
Interface is keyboard-centric and dense, less intuitive for mouse-only users
Uses MH mailbox format instead of standard EML or PST storage

Opening your Windows Mail files

Windows Mail typically uses EML files for individual messages and may store data in proprietary formats. Claws Mail can import EML files directly into its MH format. It also supports importing from other clients like Thunderbird or Outlook. If your Windows Mail data is in a non-standard container, you may need to export individual messages first. Direct .pst import is not native but possible via conversion tools.

Switching from Windows Mail to Claws Mail, step by step

Export all messages from Windows Mail as EML files or use a compatible export tool
Install Claws Mail via your package manager or Flathub
Configure your email accounts in Claws Mail settings
Use the Import/Export tool to bring in your EML files
Install the calendar plugin if you need iCal support
Test search and folder organization to ensure data integrity

Key features of Claws Mail

MH mailbox storage for fast access
Keyboard‑centric operation with full shortcut support
Plugin system for RSS, calendar, and extra protocols
Multiple accounts and folder trees
Built‑in spam filtering (SpamAssassin integration)
Message threading and powerful search
External editor support for composing plain‑text mail
Import/export from most other mail clients

How to install Claws Mail on Linux

Flatpak (Flathub)flatpak install flathub org.claws_mail.Claws-Mail

Ubuntu / Mintsudo apt install claws-mail

Debiansudo apt install claws-mail

Fedorasudo dnf install claws-mail

Arch / Manjarosudo pacman -S claws-mail

openSUSEsudo zypper install claws-mail

Frequently asked questions

Can I compose HTML emails in Claws Mail?

No, Claws Mail does not have a native HTML composer. You can read HTML mail, but composing requires using a plain-text editor or an external HTML editor via plugins.

Is calendar support built-in?

Calendar functionality is provided through plugins, not the core application. You will need to install the appropriate calendar plugin to manage iCal files or sync with CalDAV servers.

How does Claws Mail handle spam?

It integrates with SpamAssassin for filtering. You can configure rules and thresholds to automatically mark or delete spam messages based on your preferences.