Mutt
What Mutt is
Mutt is a free, GPL-licensed text-based mail client for Unix operating systems, available across Linux, macOS, and Windows through listed packages. It supports POP3 and IMAP connections and works with mbox, MMDF, MH, and maildir mailbox formats. Messages can use color, threading, MIME, PGP/MIME, and mailing-list actions such as list-reply. Key bindings and macros are customizable, and behavior can be configured by recipient or current folder. Search combines regular expressions with an internal pattern-matching language. Attachments can be added while composing, including from the command line. The compose menu allows signing, encryption, or both. SSL/TLS support for remote connections depends on compilation with the relevant support, and the manual recommends forcing TLS except for intentionally unencrypted servers. Autocrypt is described as passive protection rather than a replacement for key signing and identity verification. Downloads include source, BSD and Linux packages, and a Windows package requiring Cygwin.
Who it suits
Mutt suits mail power users who want a highly configurable text client and control over protocols, mailbox formats, searches, and message security.
What it does well
- Free GPL-licensed software
- Supports POP3 and IMAP
- Customizable key bindings and macros
- Handles multiple mailbox formats
- Command-line attachment support
What to know first
- Windows package requires Cygwin
- TLS support depends on compilation
- Autocrypt is not full encryption
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Mutt | Free, GPL-licensed software | Free |
As mutt.org lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Mutt provides extensive configuration and mail-format support in a text interface. It is most suitable for users comfortable managing a configurable desktop mail workflow.
Facts from Mutt's own pages
- Attachments
- Users can include attachments while composing, including from the command line. · mutt.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Users can customize key bindings and macros, and configure behavior based on recipients or the current folder. · mutt.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Download options
- The download page lists source releases, packages for BSD and Linux systems, and a Windows package that requires Cygwin. · mutt.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- The manual says users can choose whether to sign, encrypt, or sign and encrypt messages from the compose menu. · mutt.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · mutt.org, 24 Sept 2026
- Intended users
- The manual describes Mutt as highly configurable and suited to mail power users. · mutt.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Mailbox formats
- It supports mbox, MMDF, MH, and maildir mailbox formats. · mutt.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Mail protocols
- Its listed features include POP3 and IMAP support. · mutt.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Message features
- It supports color, message threading, MIME, PGP/MIME, and mailing-list features including list-reply. · mutt.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Search
- It supports regular-expression searches and an internal pattern-matching language. · mutt.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Security
- The manual describes SSL/TLS support for remote connections when compiled with the relevant support and recommends forcing TLS unless connecting to an unencrypted server. · mutt.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Security limits
- The manual says Autocrypt offers passive protection and is not a substitute for normal encryption with key signing and identity verification. · mutt.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- The site lists a users-help-users mailing list, an IRC channel, and a newsgroup as community resources. · mutt.org, 12 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Mutt is a text-based mail client for Unix operating systems. · mutt.org, 12 Oct 2026
Where Mutt stands on Freedom251
- Email clients#91 of 142