At this time no email client software that runs on Microsoft Windows is worthy of a 5 star rating. For something that performs such a simple task, there really isn't a good candidate for quality email software.
It is time for someone to step up to the plate and develop something like Novell's Evolution for Linux that will run stable on Microsoft Windows. Microsoft Outlook has an excellent interface (versions previous to Office XP), however, Outlook has the worst security of any email client available due to all of the windows scripting host and Internet Explorer vulnerabilities. Microsoft is absolutely clueless when it comes to computer security.
Eudora lacks many of the features of Outlook, and Mozilla Thunderbird has stability issues with large mailboxes and network installations. If an email client was developed to run on Microsoft Windows, with a quality interface in par with Microsoft Outlook, yet no Internet Explorer Integration, and the security benefits of Mozilla Thunderbird, a small memory signature, and stable, it would be long overdue.
Eudora
- License: Commercial & Shareware versions
- Developer: QUALCOMM Incorporated
- Very Good Security
- Excellent Mail Client Features
- Complete POP and IMAP support
-
Annoying Mailbox Corruption Message (although mailbox is fine) - One of the best commercial email clients available
- Shareware version has ads and supports only 1 pop account
- Eudora 7 is the last commercial version
*The eudora web site no longer exists as a legitimate web site.
Evolution (Windows Version)
Evolution Email is cross-platform
- License: Open Source
- Excellent Interface and Capabilities
- Unstable (windows port in development)
- Severe Memory Leak Issues on Windows
Evolution (Linux/UNIX Version)
Evolution Email is cross-platform
- License: Open Source
- Outlook / Exchange capabilities
- Excellent Security
- Excellent Interface
- The best email software available for *NIX platform
Mailclad Communicator Love
MicroMail
Outlook Express
- License: Free
- Microsoft Windows
- Poor Security
- Requires Internet Explorer
- discontinued after XP
Pegasus Mail
- License: free version available
- Low to Medium Security
- Lacks Features
- Sorts message date by broken UTC
- Developer stubborn, won't fix broken parts
Thunderbird
- License: Open Source
- Good Security
- Excellent Interface and Capabilities
- Becomes Unstable with many stored messages
- Unstable When mailbox store is on a network drive (not network friendly)
Windows Mail/Windows Live Mail
- License: Free
- Microsoft Windows
- Muddled "Ribbon" Interface
- System Resource Hog
- New Calendar Feature
- New IMAP support
- Requires Internet Explorer
Zimbra