Side by side
Axichat vs Sylpheed
Both stand on email clients. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3
Axichat offers a broad communication and calendar set across desktop and mobile platforms, with open protocols and self-hosting. Review its hosted-service encryption limits and the terms’ possible usage restrictions before relying on it.
Visit Axichat Free plan LinuxMacWindows
Sylpheed provides a focused, free desktop mail client with extensive protocol, filtering, storage, and external-command support. Its older stable release and discontinued mailing list are important considerations.
Visit SylpheedThe facts
| Axichat | Sylpheed | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Android, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Not published | Free or on request |
| Plans published | None | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | axi.chat | sylpheed.sraoss.jp |
| On email clients | #53 of 142 | #57 of 142 |
Axichat: what it does well
- Free plan is available
- Open source under AGPL-3.0
- Unified chat and email inbox
- Calendar import and export
- Supports self-hosting
What to know first
- Hosted services lack end-to-end encryption
- Content may be processed decrypted on servers
- Usage and storage limits may apply
- Some Gmail and Outlook support is upcoming
Sylpheed: what it does well
- Works offline on major desktop systems
- Supports POP3, IMAP4rev1, SMTP, and NNTP
- Optional GnuPG signing and encryption
- Searches can become folders
- Translated into 30 languages
What to know first
- Stable version dates to January 2018
- Mailing list discontinued in 2025
- Attachment plugin requires 7-Zip and Sylpheed 3.5.1+
Alternatives to Axichat Alternatives to Sylpheed The whole list