aerc
by aerc
What aerc is
aerc is a free, MIT-licensed email client that runs in a terminal on Linux and macOS. Its tmux-style composition view embeds a terminal, allowing incoming mail and other threads to remain available while writing. An interactive terminal web browser renders HTML email, and patches can be shown with diffs. Vim-style keybindings and an ex-command system handle navigation and automation. The client supports multiple accounts with IMAP, Maildir, Notmuch, Mbox, and JMAP backends. Listed transfer methods include IMAP, JMAP, SMTP, and sendmail. Asynchronous IMAP and JMAP support is described as keeping the interface responsive on unreliable networks, while only information needed for the interface is downloaded. Threading works with or without server support. PGP signing, encryption, and verification use GnuPG. The project also describes first-class Git-and-email workflow support. Support and general discussion use a mailing list.
Who it suits
aerc suits Linux and macOS users who prefer terminal email and Vim-style controls. It is also aimed at people managing multiple accounts or Git-related email workflows.
What it does well
- Free and MIT licensed
- Runs on Linux and macOS terminals
- Supports multiple mail backends
- PGP signing and encryption
- Threading works without server support
What to know first
- Terminal-based interface may not suit all users
- Requires GnuPG for PGP features
- No Windows platform listed
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| aerc | 100% free and open source software | Free |
| Free | All listed features · no paid tiers stated | Free |
As aerc-mail.org lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
aerc is a terminal-centered client with broad backend support, asynchronous networking, and GnuPG security features. It fits users comfortable with command-oriented email management.
Facts from aerc's own pages
- Accounts
- Multiple accounts can be configured and displayed in separate tabs. · lwn.net, 15 Oct 2026
- Address books
- carddav-query can connect to CardDAV servers such as Nextcloud or Radicale and provide address completion. · aerc-docs.com, 15 Oct 2026
- App coverage
- desktop · aerc-mail.org, 21 Sept 2026
- Asynchronous networking
- IMAP and JMAP operations are asynchronous so a slow network should not lock the interface. · aerc-mail.org, 15 Oct 2026
- Bandwidth use
- aerc downloads only the information needed to display its interface. · aerc-mail.org, 15 Oct 2026
- Build requirements
- Building from source requires Go 1.25 or newer, scdoc and GNU make; Notmuch support is optional. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Calendar invites
- The :accept and :decline commands generate replies to meeting invitations but do not update the user's calendar. · lwn.net, 15 Oct 2026
- Calendar tools
- Yes · aerc-mail.org, 21 Sept 2026
- Companion tools
- The documented ecosystem includes mbsync, notmuch, msmtp, pass, w3m, carddav-query, GnuPG and pandoc. · aerc-docs.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Composition
- Email composition uses an embedded terminal in a tmux-style interface, allowing users to check incoming mail and reference other threads while composing. · aerc-mail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- Configuration files are plain text under .config/aerc by default, including accounts.conf and binds.conf. · lwn.net, 15 Oct 2026
- Controls
- It offers Vim-style keybindings and an ex-command system for automation. · aerc-mail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Users can remap keys, run command sequences, reorder folders and style or conditionally color message columns. · lwn.net, 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation depth
- Documentation includes installation, quickstart, provider guides, recipes and man pages for accounts, bindings, configuration, protocols, search, templates and tutorials. · aerc-docs.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Email backends
- It supports multiple accounts and IMAP, Maildir, Notmuch, Mbox, and JMAP backends. · aerc-mail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Embedded composition
- Messages can be composed in an embedded tmux-style terminal while users inspect incoming mail and other threads. · aerc-mail.org, 15 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- Shell commands can be invoked through keybindings, pipes, templates and the embedded terminal. · news.ycombinator.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2019 · aerc-mail.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · aerc-mail.org, 21 Sept 2026
- Git integration
- The project describes first-class support for working with Git and email. · aerc-mail.org, 15 Oct 2026
- Git workflow
- The maker describes aerc as having first-class support for working with git and email. · aerc-mail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- HTML and patches
- It can render HTML email with an interactive terminal web browser and highlight patches with diffs. · aerc-mail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- HTML rendering
- HTML mail can be rendered through an interactive terminal web browser, with patch diffs and an embedded less viewer. · aerc-mail.org, 15 Oct 2026
- Installation systems
- Binary packages are listed for Alpine, Arch, Debian, Fedora, openSUSE, macOS Homebrew and Slackware. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Where aerc stands on Freedom251
- Email clients#3 of 142