Side by side
Franz vs Pebble
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 LinuxMacWindows
Choose Franz if you want to bring multiple chat services, email, and calendars into a desktop workspace, with task and account organization features. Look elsewhere if you need enterprise SLAs or a dedicated five-person account team; Starter is also limited to three services and one workspace.
Visit Franz Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2
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.
Visit PebbleThe facts
| Franz | Pebble | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Windows | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Pro: $60 a year | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 4 | 1 |
| Maker | Franz | Not published |
| Website | meetfranz.com | pebble.byebug.cn |
| On email clients | #37 of 142 | #33 of 142 |
Franz: what it does well
- Combines messaging services, email, and Signal in one desktop workspace.
- Supports Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Lets users group services and keep separate accounts active.
- Franz Mail includes priority inbox features and local search.
- Can show Google, Microsoft, and Apple calendars together.
What to know first
- Starter is limited to three services and one workspace.
- Free users may encounter a brief loading pause once per hour.
- Voice dictation requires Pro, macOS 26 or later, and Apple Silicon.
- Franz does not promise enterprise SLAs or a five-person account team.
Pebble: 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.