FairEmail
FairEmail is a free, open-source, privacy-focused Android email client that supports any IMAP or SMTP provider, includes OpenPGP and S/MIME encryption, and is available on Google Play and F-Droid — with a one-time Pro unlock at $9.
Our take
FairEmail is the email client for Android users who care about privacy and encryption without paying a premium. The combination of OpenPGP (via OpenKeychain) and S/MIME support in a free, open-source app is unique on Android. K-9 Mail (now Thunderbird for Android) is the closest competitor, but FairEmail tends to be more actively maintained for encryption-specific use cases and individual privacy features.
The honest trade-off: FairEmail is deliberately minimal. The developer (Marcel Bokhorst) has stated that the design philosophy prioritizes doing email well over adding productivity layers. This means no Todoist integration, no AI features, no snooze-to-tomorrow. For users who want email to be email, this is a virtue. For users who want their inbox to also be a productivity tool, look elsewhere.
What stands out
OpenPGP + S/MIME in a free app. Both encryption standards are supported — OpenPGP through the OpenKeychain companion app, S/MIME natively. For privacy-conscious Android users who want encrypted email on mobile, this is the strongest option that does not require switching to a new email service.
F-Droid availability. FairEmail can be installed entirely without Google’s services — via the F-Droid open-source app repository. For de-Googled Android users (custom ROMs, GrapheneOS), this is a meaningful practical advantage.
Active maintenance. Marcel Bokhorst releases updates regularly, responds to bug reports on GitHub, and maintains the FAQ. For a solo open-source project, the support quality is above average.
Where it falls short
Android only is the decisive constraint. There is no companion iOS, Mac, or Windows app. Users who need email across Android and another platform will need a second client.
Who should pick FairEmail
Pick FairEmail if you are on Android, use IMAP or POP3 email, need OpenPGP or S/MIME encryption on mobile, or are a de-Googled Android user who needs F-Droid compatibility. Skip it if interface polish matters, if you need cross-platform sync, or if you want AI or productivity integrations.
References
- FairEmail product: email.faircode.eu
- F-Droid listing: f-droid.org/packages/eu.faircode.email
- GitHub: github.com/M66B/FairEmail
Pros
- The most full-featured open-source Android email client with both OpenPGP and S/MIME
- F-Droid availability means no Google Play dependency for privacy-conscious Android users
- Actively maintained: consistent updates and bug fixes from the developer
- The $9 Pro unlock is a one-time payment — no subscription
- Deliberately minimal by design: focuses on reading and writing email rather than adding productivity layers
Cons
- Android only — no iOS, Mac, Windows, or web client
- The UI is functional but sparse; users migrating from Spark or Newton Mail will notice the absence of polish
- Configuration complexity: connecting a Gmail account with two-factor authentication requires app password setup
- F-Droid version's Pro unlock mechanism differs from Play Store — can confuse users
- Solo developer: long-term maintenance depends on one person
Features
- Support for any IMAP and SMTP provider (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, Exchange, custom servers)
- OpenPGP encryption and decryption (integrated with OpenKeychain)
- S/MIME signing and encryption
- Unified inbox across all connected accounts
- Privacy-focused: no tracking, no analytics, no advertising
- Message thread view with linked email grouping
- Biometric / PIN lock for app access (Pro)
- Advanced notification handling with per-account sound and vibration patterns (Pro)
- Email search including server-side full-text search
- Attachment and image handling with security prompts before loading remote content
- Available on both Google Play and F-Droid (open-source app repository)
- Actively maintained — regular updates from the solo developer Marcel Bokhorst