The Bat!
What The Bat! is
The Bat! is a paid desktop email client for Windows, with client versions listed for Windows 10 and Windows 11 in 32-bit and 64-bit editions. It retrieves mail through POP3 and IMAP4 and supports SMTP authentication. Organization tools include message sorting and filtering, quick templates, an address book, calendar, RSS reader, and MailTicker™. OpenPGP and S/MIME support signing or encrypting messages, while version 12.3.1 adds TLS 1.3 support. With a configured Google account, the client may use Google APIs to synchronize email, folder structure, and contacts. The Professional edition provides on-the-fly message-base encryption, biometric and hardware authentication, and includes The Bat! Voyager, a portable client that runs from removable storage without installation. Home licensing is limited to non-commercial use; Professional allows commercial and non-commercial use. Unregistered software can be evaluated for 30 days, but there is no free plan. Ritlabs, based in Chisinau, Moldova, gives registered users access to its Customer Support Center and does not offer telephone technical support.
Who it suits
It suits Windows users who want email organization, calendar and RSS tools, plus OpenPGP or S/MIME protection. Professional licensing is intended for commercial or non-commercial use.
What it does well
- Supports POP3, IMAP4, and SMTP authentication
- OpenPGP and S/MIME email protection
- Includes calendar, RSS reader, and MailTicker
- Professional adds message-base encryption
- Voyager runs from removable storage
What to know first
- Windows desktop only
- No free plan
- Home license is non-commercial only
- Telephone technical support is unavailable
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| The Bat! Home | Non-commercial use only · Message sorting and filtering · Quick templates · OpenPGP and S/MIME · Automatic backup | $49.99, paid once |
| The Bat! Professional | Commercial and non-commercial use · Includes Home features · The Bat! Voyager · On-the-fly message base encryption · Biometric and hardware authentication | $59.99, paid once |
As thebat.net lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
The Bat! combines traditional mail protocols with organization, security, and calendar features in a Windows desktop client. The Professional edition adds portable use and extra authentication and encryption capabilities.
Facts from The Bat!'s own pages
- App coverage
- desktop · thebat.net, 23 Sept 2026
- Calendar tools
- Yes · thebat.net, 23 Sept 2026
- Email security
- The Bat! supports OpenPGP and S/MIME for signing or encrypting email. · ritlabs.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- No · thebat.net, 23 Sept 2026
- Google integration
- When configured for a Google account, The Bat! may use Google APIs to access email, folder structure, and contacts for synchronization. · ritlabs.com, 12 Oct 2026
- License limit
- The Home license is limited to non-commercial use; Professional permits commercial and non-commercial use. · ritlabs.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Local encryption
- The Professional edition offers on-the-fly encryption of the message base. · thebat.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Mail features
- The product includes message sorting and filtering, quick templates, an address book, a calendar, an RSS reader, and MailTicker™. · thebat.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Mail protocols
- The product supports POP3 and IMAP4 mail retrieval and SMTP authentication. · ritlabs.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Maker
- Ritlabs describes itself as a secure communication software company founded in 1998 and based in Chisinau, Moldova. · ritlabs.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Product
- The Bat! is a desktop email client for Windows. · ritlabs.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- Ritlabs says only registered users can access its Customer Support Center and that it does not provide technical support by telephone. · ritlabs.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Supported Windows
- The download page lists Windows 10 and Windows 11 client versions, in 32-bit and 64-bit editions. · ritlabs.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Transport security
- Version 12.3.1 adds TLS 1.3 support. · ritlabs.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Trial
- The unregistered software can be used for a 30-day evaluation period. · ritlabs.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Voyager
- The Bat! Voyager is a portable email client that runs from removable storage without installation and requires a Professional license. · ritlabs.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where The Bat! stands on Freedom251
- Email clients#132 of 142