Pelton
What Pelton is
Pelton is a free, open-source desktop email client for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It uses IMAP and SMTP, stores mail on the computer and with the email provider, and supports offline access. A local Bleve full-text index searches downloaded messages without a connection. Users choose how far back mail is retained and can pin individual messages permanently. Pelton supports PGP and S/MIME signing, encryption, decryption, and verification; keys remain local and both systems are disabled until enabled. It displays SPF, DKIM, and DMARC results and checks spoofed names, off-domain Reply-To addresses, and lookalike domains. Controls include snooze, scheduled sending, saved views, reading tabs, customizable shortcuts, and native notifications. Pelton says it makes no requests to its servers, uses no telemetry or automated crash reports, and blocks remote images by default. It warns that deletion can be permanent because it is not a backup tool.
Who it suits
Pelton suits desktop email users who want offline search, local storage, privacy controls, and optional message encryption. It supports Linux, macOS, and Windows users.
What it does well
- Offline search through a local index
- Supports PGP and S/MIME
- Checks sender authentication results
- Scheduled sending and saved views
- No telemetry or automated crash reports
What to know first
- Not a backup tool
- Deletion can be permanent
- Builds are not code-signed
- Gmail OAuth2 requires user-created Google Cloud credentials
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Pelton | Free software distributed under the GPL-3.0 · Desktop email client · No paid tiers stated | Free |
As pelton.app lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Pelton provides a privacy-focused desktop mail client with offline capabilities, sender checks, and optional local encryption. Its warnings about permanent deletion and unsigned builds are important before installation.
Facts from Pelton's own pages
- Agent connection
- Pelton’s local MCP server is off by default, binds to 127.0.0.1, starts read-only, and lets users grant write actions individually. · pelton.app, 12 Oct 2026
- Agent sending
- Even when sending is granted, an agent can queue a draft for the user to approve, and attachment contents remain on disk. · pelton.app, 12 Oct 2026
- App coverage
- desktop · pelton.app, 23 Sept 2026
- Builds
- The download page says the builds are not code-signed, so macOS and Windows may require users to confirm opening them. · pelton.app, 12 Oct 2026
- Controls
- Pelton includes snooze, scheduled sending, saved views, reading tabs, customizable shortcuts, and native notifications. · pelton.app, 12 Oct 2026
- Email protocols
- Pelton uses IMAP and SMTP and says it works with most email providers; Gmail OAuth2 requires Google Cloud credentials created by the user. · pelton.app, 12 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- Pelton supports PGP and S/MIME signing, encryption, decryption, and verification; key handling stays local and both features are off until enabled. · pelton.app, 12 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · pelton.app, 23 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Bonn, Germany · pelton.app, 28 Sept 2026
- Maker
- The imprint identifies Stellar Foundry GmbH in Bonn, Germany, as the provider. · pelton.app, 12 Oct 2026
- Not a backup tool
- The download page says Pelton is not a backup tool and warns that deletion can be permanent. · pelton.app, 12 Oct 2026
- Offline access
- Yes · pelton.app, 23 Sept 2026
- Offline search
- Pelton uses a local Bleve full-text index to search downloaded mail without a connection. · pelton.app, 12 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- Downloads are listed for macOS Apple Silicon and Intel, Windows, and Linux; the site says there is no mobile version yet. · pelton.app, 12 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The app says it makes no requests to Pelton-run servers, has no telemetry or automated crash reports, and blocks remote images by default. · pelton.app, 12 Oct 2026
- Product
- Pelton is a free, open-source desktop email client that stores mail on your computer and with your email provider. · pelton.app, 12 Oct 2026
- Retention
- Users choose how far back to keep downloaded mail and can pin individual messages permanently. · pelton.app, 12 Oct 2026
- Sender checks
- Pelton displays SPF, DKIM, and DMARC results and checks for spoofed names, off-domain Reply-To addresses, and lookalike domains. · pelton.app, 12 Oct 2026
- Scheduled sending
- Yes · pelton.app, 23 Sept 2026
Where Pelton stands on Freedom251
- Email clients#44 of 142