Email

Sylpheed – lightweight and user-friendly e-mail client

Last Updated on October 23, 2023

Sylpheed is a simple, lightweight and featureful e-mail client based on the GTK+ GUI toolkit. It aims to combine a quick and responsive client, with a sophisticated interface, intuitive operation, as well as an abundant feature set.

Sylpheed uses a 3-paned display similar to the popular e-mail clients for Windows such as Outlook Express and Becky. Many commands are accessible with the keyboard like the Emacs-based mailers such as Mew and Wanderlust. This enables users to easily migrate to Sylpheed.

It stores mail in the MH Message Handling System.

It supports the following protocols: POP3, IMAP4rev1, SMTP, NNTP, SSL/TLSv1 (POP3, SMTP, IMAP4rev1, NNTP), IPv6.

Features include:

  • Multiple accounts.
  • Powerful filtering (POP3, IMAP4, local spool).
  • Powerful search (query search, quick search, search folder).
  • Junk mail control.
  • Thread display.
  • Display and transfer of attachments by MIME.
  • Inline image display.
  • News reader.
  • SMTP AUTH support (PLAIN / LOGIN / CRAM-MD5).
  • CRAM-MD5 authentication (SMTP AUTH / IMAP4rev1).
  • APOP authentication (POP3).
  • PGP signature / encryption (requires GPGME).
  • Spell checking (requires GtkSpell).
  • X-Face display.
  • User-defined headers.
  • Mark / color label.
  • Mew/Wanderlust compatible key bind.
  • Multiple MH folder support.
  • mbox importing / exporting.
  • Action function to work with external commands.
  • External editor.
  • Message queueing.
  • Automatic mail checking.
  • Draft message.
  • Template.
  • Line-wrapping.
  • Autosave.
  • Clickable URI.
  • Address book.
  • Newly arrived and unread message management.
  • Printing.
  • Offline mode.
  • Tray icon (minimize to tray icon, new mail notification).
  • Customization of toolbar.
  • Remote operation by command line.
  • Per-folder configuration.
  • LDAP, vCard, and JPilot support in address book.
  • CSV, LDIF file import in address book.
  • Drag & Drop.
  • Autoconf, automake support.
  • Internationalization of messages by gettext.
  • m17n (multilingualization) support.

Website: sylpheed.sraoss.jp
Support: Documentation, Mailing List
Developer: Hiroyuki Yamamoto and contributors
License: GNU General Public License v2.0

Sylpheed

Sylpheed is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.

Return to Graphical Email Clients | Return to Lightweight Email Clients


Popular series
Free and Open Source SoftwareThe largest compilation of the best free and open source software in the universe. Each article is supplied with a legendary ratings chart helping you to make informed decisions.
ReviewsHundreds of in-depth reviews offering our unbiased and expert opinion on software. We offer helpful and impartial information.
The Big List of Active Linux Distros is a large compilation of actively developed Linux distributions.
Alternatives to Proprietary SoftwareReplace proprietary software with open source alternatives: Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Autodesk, Oracle, Atlassian, Corel, Cisco, Intuit, and SAS.
GamesAwesome Free Linux Games Tools showcases a series of tools that making gaming on Linux a more pleasurable experience. This is a new series.
Artificial intelligence iconMachine Learning explores practical applications of machine learning and deep learning from a Linux perspective. We've written reviews of more than 40 self-hosted apps. All are free and open source.
Guide to LinuxNew to Linux? Read our Linux for Starters series. We start right at the basics and teach you everything you need to know to get started with Linux.
Alternatives to popular CLI tools showcases essential tools that are modern replacements for core Linux utilities.
System ToolsEssential Linux system tools focuses on small, indispensable utilities, useful for system administrators as well as regular users.
ProductivityLinux utilities to maximise your productivity. Small, indispensable tools, useful for anyone running a Linux machine.
AudioSurveys popular streaming services from a Linux perspective: Amazon Music Unlimited, Myuzi, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal.
Saving Money with LinuxSaving Money with Linux looks at how you can reduce your energy bills running Linux.
Home ComputersHome computers became commonplace in the 1980s. Emulate home computers including the Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST, ZX81, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum.
Now and ThenNow and Then examines how promising open source software fared over the years. It can be a bumpy ride.
Linux at HomeLinux at Home looks at a range of home activities where Linux can play its part, making the most of our time at home, keeping active and engaged.
Linux CandyLinux Candy reveals the lighter side of Linux. Have some fun and escape from the daily drudgery.
DockerGetting Started with Docker helps you master Docker, a set of platform as a service products that delivers software in packages called containers.
Android AppsBest Free Android Apps. We showcase free Android apps that are definitely worth downloading. There's a strict eligibility criteria for inclusion in this series.
Programming BooksThese best free books accelerate your learning of every programming language. Learn a new language today!
Programming TutorialsThese free tutorials offer the perfect tonic to our free programming books series.
Linux Around The WorldLinux Around The World showcases usergroups that are relevant to Linux enthusiasts. Great ways to meet up with fellow enthusiasts.
Stars and StripesStars and Stripes is an occasional series looking at the impact of Linux in the USA.
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Please read our FAQ before making a comment.

2 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
tata
tata
2 years ago

there is one unique thing abut sylpheed: it stores every email in a separate file, so there’s never that “compress folders” thing (with the associated risk of something crashing while compressing, and finding yourself with all your emails lost)

JC
JC
2 years ago
Reply to  tata

I’ve used many MUIs that manage messages in the MH format. Sylpheed is hardly unique in that respect. For example, Mutt supports reading and writing four different mailbox formats: mbox, MMDF, MH and Maildir.