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

Geary as a Linux alternative to Windows Mail

Updated October 21, 2026

Our verdict

Geary is a solid replacement for Windows Mail if you want a simple, conversation-based client on GNOME. It handles multiple IMAP accounts well and offers fast search, matching Windows Mail's lightweight feel. However, it lacks the basic calendar features Windows Mail provided. If you rely on .ics files or integrated scheduling, you will need a separate calendar app like GNOME Calendar. For pure email users who prefer a clean, modern interface without clutter, Geary works well. It is not ideal for power users needing advanced filtering or POP3 support, as it focuses primarily on IMAP.

Feature parity75%

License: LGPL-2.1+
Price: Free
Latest version: 46.0 (May 20, 2024)
Rating: —

Install Geary Website ↗

What works the same

Supports multiple email accounts simultaneously
Provides a simple, uncluttered user interface
Includes full-text and keyword search capabilities
Groups related messages into threads or conversations
Delivers desktop notifications for incoming mail

What is different

Geary lacks built-in calendar integration or .ics file handling
Windows Mail supported POP3 more prominently; Geary focuses on IMAP
Geary uses a conversation view by default, whereas Windows Mail used a standard list view
Geary is tightly integrated with the GNOME desktop environment
Windows Mail is discontinued, while Geary remains actively maintained

Opening your Windows Mail files

Geary does not natively import Windows Mail's proprietary storage format (EABX files). You cannot simply open a Windows Mail database in Geary. To migrate, you must export your emails from Windows Mail as .eml or .mbox files first. Geary can then import these standard formats. Calendar files (.ics) are not handled by Geary, so you will need to import them into a dedicated calendar application like GNOME Calendar or Thunderbird.

Switching from Windows Mail to Geary, step by step

Export all emails from Windows Mail as .eml or .mbox files
Install Geary via your distribution's package manager or Flathub
Add your email accounts in Geary using IMAP settings
Use Geary's import function to load the exported .eml or .mbox files
Import your .ics calendar files into GNOME Calendar or another calendar app
Configure desktop notifications to match your previous setup

Key features of Geary

Conversation view groups related messages
Quick account setup for IMAP providers
Full‑text and keyword search
HTML and plain‑text composer
Desktop notifications for new mail
GNOME integration and theming
Keyboard‑friendly navigation
Supports multiple accounts

How to install Geary on Linux

Flatpak (Flathub)flatpak install flathub org.gnome.Geary

Ubuntu / Mintsudo apt install geary

Debiansudo apt install geary

Fedorasudo dnf install geary

Arch / Manjarosudo pacman -S geary

openSUSEsudo zypper install geary

Frequently asked questions

Does Geary support POP3 accounts?

Geary primarily supports IMAP accounts. While some POP3 functionality may exist, it is not the primary focus and is less robust than in dedicated clients like Thunderbird. For reliable POP3 support, consider Thunderbird instead.

Can I use Geary with Gmail or Outlook.com?

Yes, Geary has quick setup options for major providers like Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook.com. It works well with these services using standard IMAP and SMTP protocols.

Is there a way to back up my Geary data?

Geary stores data in your home directory, typically under ~/.local/share/geary. You can back up this folder to preserve your mail and settings. There is no built-in export-to-file feature for the entire database, so manual folder backups are the standard method.