imap-migrate

Overview

imap-migrate is a free, open-source command-line utility for transferring email between IMAP accounts, including Gmail, Outlook, Fastmail, Yahoo and custom servers. It is best for technically comfortable users who need to move a folder while retaining message dates and flags. Its focused scope and Python requirements make it a poor fit for anyone expecting a full mailbox rebuild or a ready-made desktop workflow.

Key features

Preserving received dates and flags such as Seen and Flagged keeps useful message context intact after transfer. Progress reporting covers speed, successful and failed counts, and estimated time remaining, with actions recorded in migration.log. These signals help users monitor a run and investigate errors, but do not compensate for the tool’s single-folder scope.

The --dry-run option checks connection and settings without moving messages, which is useful before committing to a transfer. If a run is interrupted, it can be rerun without creating duplicate emails. Together, these safeguards suit migrations that need careful monitoring or another attempt.

Credentials may be passed as command-line arguments or environment variables; the project recommends the latter as the more secure choice. Users should also account for Python 3.12 or higher and IMAP access enabled on both accounts, with uv recommended for dependency management. That setup is reasonable for command-line users, but less convenient than an app with a graphical workflow. The tool moves one folder’s contents to another and does not recreate the full folder structure or transfer provider-specific features such as Gmail labels and categories.

Pricing

The Free plan costs nothing and covers IMAP folder migration. There are no paid tiers, seats, quotas or trial terms to weigh against it, but the free offer is limited to the same one-folder task and requires Python 3.12 or higher plus IMAP access on both accounts. The MIT License permits use under its terms.

Platforms

imap-migrate supports Linux, macOS and Windows. Its command-line interface and Python requirement mean platform support does not make it a turnkey desktop migration app.

Who it's for

This is a good fit for users who can manage a Python command-line tool and need to transfer a folder between IMAP-accessible accounts, especially when preserving dates and flags matters. It is not the right choice for users who need an entire mailbox hierarchy rebuilt, Gmail labels or categories migrated, or a graphical tool requiring little setup. The project invites bug reports through GitHub issues and contributions through pull requests.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Keeps original received dates and flags, retaining useful message context after a move.
• Pro: Dry-run checks and reruns without duplicate emails reduce the risk and disruption of interrupted transfers.
• Pro: Progress indicators and a migration log help users follow a transfer and locate errors.
• Con: Transfers only one folder’s contents and cannot rebuild a full folder structure or move provider-specific features such as Gmail labels.
• Con: Python 3.12 or higher and IMAP access on both accounts add setup requirements that may deter nontechnical users.

Alternatives

Email Migration Software is the broader category to explore when comparing migration tools. Choose Zoho Mail instead if you want a hosted mail service with a free plan for up to 5 users, one domain and 5 GB of storage per user. MailJerry is an alternative with a free migration plan covering unlimited mailboxes, subject to 150 MB per mailbox, three simultaneous migrations and use on one device.

SysTools Email Migration Tool offers a free demo for full mailbox migration of up to two user accounts, making it an alternative when mailbox scope matters more than a no-cost folder transfer. SysTools Migrator likewise offers a free version for migrating two user accounts. imapsync is another IMAP migration alternative. Cigati Email Migrator gives a free demo limited to the first 100 emails per folder, with unlimited migration requiring its licensed edition. For a migration that needs shared drives, permissions, folder structure or version history, consider CloudM Migrate. Stellar Migrator for Exchange offers a trial covering two mailboxes with migration capabilities included.

Verdict

Choose imap-migrate when you need a free, closely scoped transfer between IMAP accounts and value preserved dates, flags and clear progress reporting. Its strongest case is a folder-level move with practical safeguards and no price barrier. Look elsewhere if the job requires rebuilding mailbox structure, carrying provider-specific features, or avoiding Python and command-line setup.