Nmail
What Nmail is
Nmail is a free, open-source reference email client built around the Nostr protocol. Mail is stored on the device and Nostr relays instead of a central mailbox, while an email bridge enables exchanges with ordinary email addresses. Messages between Nostr users use end-to-end encryption, including NIP-44 and NIP-59 Gift Wraps; relays can still see a recipient public key, approximate date and message size. Private keys remain in device secure storage or a signer app and are not sent to Nmail. Folders and settings synchronize across devices, and offline access is supported. Large messages and attachments are encrypted on the device before upload to a Blossom file server. Mail passing through a bridge to ordinary addresses is readable to that bridge, including addresses, subjects, content and attachments. Nmail supports web, Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, an extension and self-hosted use. Push notifications are optional and unavailable on Linux and Windows. The project is MIT licensed and offers developer libraries plus Docker Compose bridge instructions.
Who it suits
It suits users interested in Nostr-based email, local storage and open-source software. It also serves developers or operators needing libraries and a self-hosted bridge.
What it does well
- Free and MIT licensed
- Offline access with cross-device folder synchronization
- End-to-end encryption for Nostr-to-Nostr messages
- Private keys stay in secure storage or signer apps
- Supports web, mobile, desktop and self-hosted use
What to know first
- Bridge mail is readable to the bridge
- Relays still see limited message metadata
- Push notifications unavailable on Linux and Windows
Verdict
Nmail offers a Nostr-centered email model with local storage, encryption and broad platform support. Ordinary-email bridging introduces a clear privacy boundary, and Linux or Windows users lack push notifications.
Facts from Nmail's own pages
- App coverage
- all · nostrmail.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Attachments
- Large emails and attachments are encrypted on the device before upload to a Blossom file server. · nostrmail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Bridge setup
- The self-host guide supports inbound, outbound or two-way bridging and offers either an existing SMTP provider or a self-hosted SMTP server. · nostrmail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Data collection
- The privacy policy says Nmail does not sell data, show ads, or use advertising, analytics, tracking, or crash-reporting SDKs. · nostrmail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Developer integrations
- The project offers Flutter/Dart and TypeScript/JavaScript libraries, including support for web and Node.js integrations. · nostrmail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Device sync
- The site says folders and settings sync across devices. · nostrmail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Email compatibility
- Nmail supports messaging between Nostr users and ordinary email addresses through bridges. · nostrmail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Email interoperability
- Nmail can exchange email with ordinary email addresses through an email bridge. · nostrmail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Email privacy limit
- Mail exchanged with ordinary email addresses passes through the bridge in readable form. · nostrmail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- Messages between Nostr users are end-to-end encrypted; the privacy policy says relays can still see the recipient public key, approximate date and message size. · nostrmail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The maker lists Flutter/Dart and TypeScript/JavaScript libraries for developers, with the JavaScript library supporting web and Node.js integrations. · nostrmail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Notifications
- Push notifications are optional; Linux and Windows do not have push notifications. · nostrmail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Offline access
- Yes · nostrmail.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Ordinary email privacy
- Mail exchanged with ordinary email addresses passes through a bridge in readable form, which can see the addresses, subject, content and attachments. · nostrmail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- The privacy policy refers to Nmail versions for web, Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux. · nostrmail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Privacy practices
- The privacy policy says Nmail does not sell data, show ads, or use advertising, analytics, tracking or crash-reporting SDKs. · nostrmail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Private keys
- The privacy policy says private keys stay in device secure storage or a signer app and are never sent to Nmail. · nostrmail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Product
- Nmail is an open-source reference email client built on the Nostr protocol, with mail stored on the device and Nostr relays rather than in a central mailbox. · nostrmail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Project license
- The maker’s site says Nostr Mail is MIT licensed. · nostrmail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Protocol security
- The site says the protocol uses NIP-44 encryption and NIP-59 Gift Wraps to hide metadata from relays. · nostrmail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Nmail is an open email protocol built on Nostr, with an open-source reference client. · nostrmail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Self-hosting
- The maker provides Docker Compose instructions for running a bridge that connects legacy email and Nostr. · nostrmail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- For privacy questions or requests, the policy lists [email protected]. · nostrmail.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- The privacy policy lists app versions for the web, Android, iOS, macOS, Windows and Linux. · nostrmail.org, 12 Oct 2026
Where Nmail stands on Freedom251
- Email clients#138 of 142