Geary 1

Five apps

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1. Geary

rnrnGearyrnis the one Linux-only client on the list. It’s written in Vala and intended forrnseamless integration into the GNOME desktop. It’s about as simple as it gets -rnopen it up and use your Gmail account. There are few bells and whistles to thisrntake on the desktop Gmail client. The Geary interface is based onrnconversations, which makes reading an entire discussion quite simple. Settingrnup Geary is as simple as adding your Gmail address and password. Once you’verndone that, Geary will very quickly draw in your email so you can begin readingrnwithin seconds. Geary does allow you to mark conversations, add labels, archivernemails, view inline and attached images, search, and more. Geary is free andrncan be installed from source or from your package manager.

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Credit: Image by JackrnWallen for TechRepublic

Geary 2

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GMDesk 1

2. GMDesk

rnrnGMDeskrnis built upon the Adobe Air runtimernenvironment. Although GMDesk hasn’t been in development for quite some time, itrnstill works and works well. With this Air-based application you get access tornall of the Gmail features, including Calendar, Drive, and more. Each app willrnopen as a stand-alone application and can be closed as such. There is zerornconfiguration necessary – just enter your Gmail credentials and go. You canrnalso connect GMDesk to your Google Apps account instead of the standard Googlernservices. You can select your preferred start-up service, and even switchrnbetween Google services within a single window.

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Credit: Image by JackrnWallen for TechRepublic

GMDesk 2

Credit: Image by JackrnWallen for TechRepublic

eM Client 1

3. eM Client

rnrneMrnClient offers Gmail synchronization built in. This particular solution isrnmore of a traditional email client. In fact, you might find it similar to thatrnof Outlook – only geared toward Gmail. With eM Client you can work with yourrnemail, calendar, tasks, and contacts. You do miss out on Google Drive – butrnthat’s not really the purpose of an email client anyway. Em Client also has arnbuilt in tool to connect with your colleagues using Gtalk. The one caveat tornusing eM Client is that, in order to get it for free, you must register. The free license isrnintended for non-commercial use and does not offer any support. If you want thernPro version, you’ll have to shell out $49.95 USD.

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Credit: Image by JackrnWallen for TechRepublic

eM Client 2

Credit: Image by JackrnWallen for TechRepublic

Gmail by Pokki 1

4. Gmail by Pokki

rnrnGmail by Pokkirnis another simple to use desktop app for your Gmail account that offers uprnfriendly notifications from within the Windows system tray. With this free apprnyou can: View and save attachments, set label notifications, create customizedrntabs, chat, turn any conversation into a video call with up to ten friends, establishrna theme, and more. The one thing to be aware of is that Pokki is an entire apprnstore on its own. So when you download Gmail by Pokki, you are installing theirrnapp store. It is quite unobtrusive and can be easily avoided. Getting to thernsettings requires a right-click of the Pokki “menu” button in therntask bar.

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Credit: Image by JackrnWallen for TechRepublic

Gmail by Pokki 2

Credit: Image by JackrnWallen for TechRepublic

Thunderbird 1

5. Thunderbird

rnrnThunderbirdrnis just as capable of dealing with Gmail as any other client. Set up of yourrnGmail account on Thunderbird is quite simple – no need to know the Gmail serverrnaddresses (just create a new account, add your Gmail credentials and letrnThunderbird handle the rest. You won’t gain access to your Calendar, contacts,rntasks, labels, or any of the other Gmail features, but you will have a veryrnpowerful email client at your disposal. You can, of course, add the Lightningrnaddon and have it connect to your Gmail Calendar. Thunderbird is a greatrncross-platform solution (Windows, Linux, Mac) for those looking for a Gmailrndesktop client.

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Credit: Image by JackrnWallen for TechRepublic