Sylpheed

Sylpheed is a compact email client designed to handle your e-mail messages from multiple accounts. It is a useful utility for all individuals who prefer to receive and read their e-mails in a Windows application instead of using the browser.

The program features a flexible interface that provides quick access to all e-mail folders, message content and actions. The layout of the main window and the toolbar buttons can be changed in order to match your preferences.

You can add multiple POP3 or IMAP accounts and organize your messages by creating different mailboxes. The account wizard provides you with a quick configuration for Gmail accounts and guides you through all the required steps.

Although it has a small footprint, this email client comes with all the essential features required by both casual and power users. It includes threaded views, quick search, message flags, advanced message filters and other useful functions.

If you are worried about spam and junk emails, Sylpheed comes with adaptable junk controls and allows you to use external commands to configure the filters. Moreover, you can create your own rules for blocking, deleting or flagging the suspect messages.

The included Address Book automatically records the emails from the sent messages and allows you to specify nicknames for quickly filling the frequently used addresses. You can also create e-mail templates which enable you to create messages with just a few clicks.

As we have noticed in our tests, the program requires insignificant resources and it is optimized for quickly processing messages. It loads the emails in plain text and includes keyboard shortcuts for scrolling, flagging and moving messages.

Although the interface and usage are easy to understand for most users, the program includes an extensive documentation that covers all the available features.

If you want to manage your messages in a simple yet powerful e-mail client, Sylpheed is one of the applications that you should try. It comes with a good response time, a user-friendly GUI and it did not hang or freeze in our tests. A portable counterpart is also available for those who want to use their e-mail on the fly, called Portable Sylpheed.