Pebble
What Pebble is
Pebble is a free, open-source email client for desktop or self-hosted web use, with a unified inbox for Gmail, Outlook, and IMAP mail. The repository also lists POP3 and describes Outlook support as experimental. Users can organize messages by moving them among Todo, Waiting, and Done columns, and full-text search finds email by content, sender, or date. Custom rules can label, move, or flag messages automatically. A bilingual view can translate email using DeepL or an LLM. Pebble runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, or in a browser through a Docker deployment. Its maker says the SQLite database, search index, and attachments stay on the user's device, and that the app has no telemetry. OAuth tokens and credentials are encrypted at rest with a per-device key; external network access is limited to mail providers and opt-in features. The web version advertises real-time sync through WebSockets. Pebble is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and includes English and Chinese, with customizable keyboard shortcuts.
Who it suits
Pebble suits people looking for a calmer, more private inbox who want to combine multiple mail providers or manage email as tasks. It is also suited to users who want desktop software or a self-hosted browser app.
What it does well
- Unified inbox supports Gmail, Outlook, and IMAP.
- Kanban columns organize email into three task states.
- Full-text search covers content, sender, and date.
- Maker says core data stays on the user's device.
- Available as desktop software or self-hosted web app.
What to know first
- Outlook support is described as experimental.
- Web deployment requires self-hosting with Docker.
- Built-in languages are English and Chinese.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free and open source forever · Desktop or self-hosted web | Free |
As pebble.byebug.cn lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Pebble combines multi-provider email with task-board organization, search, and customizable rules. Its local-data approach and self-hosted option may appeal to privacy-minded users, though Outlook support is marked experimental.
Facts from Pebble's own pages
- Data storage
- The maker says the SQLite database, search index, and attachments stay on the user's device. · pebble.byebug.cn, 12 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- OAuth tokens and credentials are encrypted at rest with a per-device key. · pebble.byebug.cn, 12 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · pebble.byebug.cn, 23 Sept 2026
- Intended users
- The repository describes the app as intended for people who want a calmer, more private inbox. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Kanban
- Users can drag emails between Todo, Waiting, and Done columns to manage email as a task board. · pebble.byebug.cn, 12 Oct 2026
- Keyboard controls
- Keyboard shortcuts for navigation, composing, replying, archiving, and searching are customizable. · pebble.byebug.cn, 12 Oct 2026
- Languages
- English and Chinese are built in, and the site says the app can be extended with more languages. · pebble.byebug.cn, 12 Oct 2026
- License
- Pebble is open source under the AGPL-3.0 license. · pebble.byebug.cn, 12 Oct 2026
- Mail providers
- The site lists Gmail, Outlook, and any IMAP server for multi-provider email; the repository describes Outlook support as experimental and also lists POP3. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Network access
- External network access is limited to mail providers and opt-in features. · pebble.byebug.cn, 12 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The maker says core data is stored locally and that the app has no telemetry. · pebble.byebug.cn, 12 Oct 2026
- Product
- Pebble is a privacy-first email client available as a desktop app or self-hosted web app. · pebble.byebug.cn, 12 Oct 2026
- Rules
- Custom rules can automatically label, move, or flag emails. · pebble.byebug.cn, 12 Oct 2026
- Search
- Full-text search is powered by Tantivy and can find email by content, sender, or date. · pebble.byebug.cn, 12 Oct 2026
- Translation
- A built-in bilingual view can use DeepL or an LLM to translate email. · pebble.byebug.cn, 12 Oct 2026
- Unified inbox
- Yes · pebble.byebug.cn, 23 Sept 2026
- Web deployment
- The self-hosted web version deploys with Docker, is accessible from a browser, and advertises WebSocket realtime sync and the same features as desktop. · pebble.byebug.cn, 12 Oct 2026
Where Pebble stands on Freedom251
- Email clients#33 of 142