Kanmail

Name: Kanmail
Brand: Kanmail

A desktop email client that turns your inbox into a kanban board

softwareEmail ClientsEmail ClientKanban BoardProductivity Tool

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Our Verdict

Best for

Heavy email users wanting drag-and-drop inbox triage

Skip if

You need a web client or shared team inbox

What is Kanmail?

Kanmail is an open-source desktop email client that reframes your inbox as a kanban board: each column is a mailbox or folder, and you drag messages between columns to file, archive, or triage them. It runs locally on your own machine and connects straight to your existing accounts over IMAP/SMTP, including Gmail. Because it is a native desktop app rather than a hosted service, your mail stays between your computer and your mail provider, with no third-party inbox sync in between. It suits people who process a high volume of email and prefer a visual, drag-and-drop workflow to a traditional list view.

SpecificationsAI-estimated

deploymentDesktop App

open source✅ Yes

github stars1,363

api available❌ No

support optionsGitHub Issues

key integrationsGmail, IMAP/SMTP

primary languagePython

Key Features of Kanmail

Your mailboxes and folders are laid out as side-by-side kanban columns, so the whole inbox is visible at a glance.

Dragging a message from one column to another moves it between folders, turning filing and archiving into a single gesture.

Connects directly to standard IMAP/SMTP accounts, so it works with self-hosted mail servers as well as commercial providers.

Gmail accounts are supported alongside generic IMAP, letting you keep mixed personal and work accounts in one window.

Multiple accounts can be added at once and viewed together rather than switching between separate profiles.

Runs as a locally installed desktop application on Windows, macOS and Linux, with no hosted inbox service in between.

Search lets you find messages across your connected accounts without leaving the board view.

The project is fully open source, so the client can be inspected, built from source, or modified.

Use Cases for Kanmail

Visual inbox triage

Sort a heavy inbox by dragging messages into folder columns instead of clicking through menus.

Multi-account email

Keep personal and work accounts side by side in a single desktop window.

Local-first mail handling

Read and file mail from a client on your own machine rather than a hosted web inbox.

Self-hosted mail servers

Connect to a private IMAP/SMTP server that mainstream clients handle awkwardly.

Pros & Cons of Kanmail

Pros

Open source and installed locally, so mail is not routed through a third-party service
Visual kanban layout makes a large inbox far easier to triage
Connects to any standard IMAP/SMTP account, including Gmail
Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux

Cons

Requires installing and configuring a desktop app — there is no browser version
Single-user client with no built-in team or shared-inbox features
Smaller project than mainstream mail clients, so fewer integrations and extras

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kanmail a web app?

No — Kanmail is a desktop application you install on Windows, macOS or Linux. There is no browser-based version.

Which email accounts does Kanmail work with?

Any standard IMAP/SMTP account, including Gmail and self-hosted mail servers.

Can I share a board with teammates?

No. Kanmail is a single-user email client; the kanban columns map to your own mailboxes and folders, not to a shared workspace.

Is Kanmail open source?

Yes, the source is published at github.com/Oxygem/Kanmail and can be built and run yourself.

Pricing Overview

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Free

Detailed plans are not listed. Visit the official website for pricing information.

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