Programs for Gmail

Do you have a Gmail account and would you like to find some programs to manage your electronic correspondence without necessarily having to open the web browser every time? Well, if this is the situation I would say that you have landed on the right guide, at the right time. Just think … with this article of mine today I just wanted to tell you about those that in my opinion represent the best programs for Gmail currently on the market.

There are several, both free and paid, for both Windows and Mac (as well as Linux). They are all very easy to use and each of them allows you to make the most of the features of the “big G” email service, not to mention the additional features offered that would otherwise be impossible to obtain. You just have to choose the resource that you think will do the most for you, download it to your computer and follow my instructions to start using it right away.

Then? May I know what are you still doing standing there? Position yourself comfortably and immediately start focusing on reading the following. I am sure that in the end you will be able to tell yourself very happy and satisfied and that, in case of need, you will be ready to provide useful advice in this regard to your friends who are interested in the same topic. What do you say, we bet?

Index

• Mozilla Thunerbird (Windows / macOS / Linux)
• Shift (Windows / macOS / Linux)
• Kiwi for Gmail (Windows / macOS)
• Postbox (Windows / macOS)
• Gmail Checker Plus (Windows / macOS)
• MailStore (Windows)
• App for Gmail

Mozilla Thunderbird (Windows / macOS / Linux)

Does it really need any introduction? Mozilla Thunderbird is simply one of the best free email programs. It is compatible with all major operating systems and supports the most popular national and international e-mail services.

To configure it, just follow a very simple guided procedure and the software automatically recognizes the incoming and outgoing mail servers. It is open-source and expandable thanks to many extensions available for free on the Internet. Includes spell checker, RSS feed support and many other cool features.

To download it to your computer, connect to the program’s website and click on the Free Download button in the center of the displayed page.

When the download is complete, if you are using Windows, open the .exe file obtained and press the Yes button. Then press the Next button twice, the  Install button and the Finish button.

If, on the other hand, what you are using is a Mac, open the .dmg package you just obtained and drag the program icon into the macOS Applications folder. Next, log into the Launchpad and start Thunderbird from there by clicking on its icon.

Regardless of the operating system, now that you see the Thunderbird window on the screen, to add your Gmail address to the program, fill in the form for configuring an existing e-mail account that is proposed in automatic.

Once the configuration is complete, you will be able to consult the e-mails received on Gmail, those sent, etc. through the central part of the program window, after selecting the reference folder from the left sidebar. If you want to write a new message, access the contacts and so on, use the appropriate buttons at the top.

On the right, however, you will find the calendar, while using the menu bar that is even higher up you can further adjust the operation of the software based on your preferences and needs.

Shift (Windows / macOS / Linux)

In an article focusing on what are the best programs for Gmail, it is practically impossible not to mention Shift’s name. It is in fact a free software usable on Windows, macOS and Linux that allows you to manage electronic correspondence on Gmail by connecting up to a maximum of two accounts simultaneously (to add other accounts you need to switch to the paid variant).

It has a beautiful user interface, supports all the main features offered by the Google home mail service, allows the use of extensions and also integrates the main communication and social networking services. In short, what more do you want?

To use it on your computer, connect to the program’s website and click on the Download Now button, in order to download the software.

When the download is complete, if you are using Windows, open the .exe file obtained. If you are using a Mac, open the .dmg package you just obtained and drag the software icon inside it into the macOS Applications folder. Then go to the Launchpad and start the program from there, by clicking on its icon.

Now that you see the Shift window on the screen, press the Create Account button and type your Gmail account address in the appropriate field on the screen. Then accept the terms of use of the service by ticking the appropriate box and clicking on the Continue button. Then log in to the account by typing the password of the same, indicate the apps you want to connect to the service and select the theme to use.

Once setup is complete, you can start managing your Gmail account from your computer. In the central part of the program window you will find the e-mail messages, at the top there are the buttons to compose a new e-mail and to access the other connected services, while on the left you will find the button to adjust the settings for using Shift.

Postbox (Windows / macOS)

Postbox is a modified version of the aforementioned Mozilla Thunderbird, optimized for Gmail and social networks and running on both Windows and macOS. It supports all major e-mail services, including Gmail, Yahoo !, Outlook, iCloud and AOL, and has a very neat user interface.

It is also able to import profile photos from gravatar and integrates with Dropbox and other cloud storage services for sending attachments. The program is paid but is available in a free trial version (the one I used to write this step) lasting 30 days.

To download it, connect to the program’s website and click on the Download button at the top, then click on the Download button that you find in correspondence with the logo of the operating system in use on your computer.

When the download is complete if you are using Windows open the .exe file obtained and click on the Yes button. Then press the Next button twice, the  Install button and the Finish button. Then click on the button Start using Postbox.

If, on the other hand, what you are using is a Mac, open the .dmg package you just obtained and click on Accept. Next, drag the Postbox icon to the macOS Applications folder. Then start the program by clicking on the icon that has been added to the Launchpad.

Now, regardless of the operating system used, follow the simple initial configuration procedure of the program that is proposed to you by pressing the  Start using Postbox button and providing the data relating to your Gmail account. Once the main window of the program is displayed, you will be able to consult all your electronic correspondence through the right part of the same.

On the left you will find the quick links to access the various folders of the account, while at the top there are the buttons to compose a new message, to delete the selected mail, to reply, to mark the e-mails as important etc. Even more, on there is the menu bar with attached items to customize the operations of Postbox.

Kiwi for Gmail (Windows / macOS)

Kiwi for Gmail is a software available for both Windows and macOS designed specifically for the Google home e-mail service. It can be used to connect accounts and to access the e-mail of the “giant of research on the net” with extreme simplicity. It allows you to receive notifications of new messages (also customizable), to read e-mails and to write new e-mails, all without opening the browser.

The interface can be partially customized, it also integrates with other Google services, supports the use of plugins and is also free in basic view, while for the Enterprise variant (including additional features) it is necessary to pay.

To download it on your Windows PC, connect to the program’s website and click on the Download button under the heading  Get One Year Free. When the download is complete, open the .exe file obtained and, in the window that appears on the desktop, click on the Next button ten times in a row, then on Get Started.

If, on the other hand, what you are using is a Mac, connected to the section dedicated to the program on the Mac App Store Online, click on the View button in the Mac App Store and, in the window of the “real” Mac App Store that appears on the desk, press the Get / Install button (and if necessary also type in your Apple ID password). Next, launch the app by clicking on the icon that has been added to the Launchpad.

Now that, regardless of the operating system in use, you see the Kiwi for Gmail main screen, you need to worry about configuring the program with your Gmail email account. To do this, press the New Account button … at the top left, enter the data relating to your Gmail account in the window that appears and manage the settings relating to the colors to use and notifications by following the simple on-screen wizard.

Once logged in, you will find all your electronic correspondence in the center of the window. On the left you will find the sidebar with the buttons to write a new e-mail, to access “on the fly” the calendar, contacts, Google Drive and other Google services, to enable the do not disturb function and the button to access to the program options.

Gmail Checker Plus (Windows / macOS)

Gmail Checker Plus is not really software but an extension for Google Chrome. It allows you to receive Gmail notifications directly on your Windows and Mac desktop and manage your Gmail email account in an incredibly simple and fast way.

It signals the arrival of new emails via desktop notifications and allows you to preview part of the content as well. It also offers a good margin of customization and being an add-on it is completely free.

To use Gmail Checker Plus on your computer, open Google Chrome, connect to the page dedicated to the extension on the Chrome Web Store and click first on the Add button on the right and then on the Add extension button that appears at the top.

When the installation is complete, press the extension icon that appeared on the browser toolbar and click on the Sign in / out button to login to your Gmail account. Once logged in, after clicking on the extension button you can quickly view your inbox using the window that will open. Also through the latter, you can also start composing a new message, search attachments, access drafts, etc.

I would also like to point out that from the same window it is also possible to access the extension options, you can enable do not disturb and various customizations can be made to Gmail Checker Plus using the commands attached to the menu that can be recalled by clicking on the button [… ].

To find out the total number of messages received, just take a look at the badge always attached to the add-on icon.

MailStore (Windows)

Speaking of programs for Gmail, it is certainly worth mentioning the MailStore. This is a free application (in its basic version) for Windows operating systems that allows you to backup e-mails from various providers, including Gmail, to your PC. The software is extremely easy to use and allows you to import / export messages between all email clients on your computer.

It is enough to configure it once and it allows you to download all Gmail messages (but not only) to your favorite folder, even according to a personalized schedule. It can also be copied to a USB stick and used in no-install mode.

To download it on your computer, connect to the program’s website and press the Download MailStore Home (Free) button at the top.

When the download is complete, open the .exe file obtained and select the item I accept the license agreement and the privacy policy, then press the Next button, the  Install button and the Yes button. Complete the setup by clicking on the Finish button.

Now that you see the program window on the desktop, use the buttons on the left to choose the operation to take: you can archive the e-mails, perform a search, export the e-mail messages or make a backup on a device removable. Once you have made your choice, enter the login details for your Gmail account and continue following the instructions on the screen.

App for Gmail

And what about the mobile side? Are there any applications for smartphones and tablets that, similarly to the aforementioned software, allow you to manage the Google home e-mail service in an equally convenient and functional way? Of course yes!

In fact, below you will find those that in my opinion represent the best solutions in the category, both for Android and for iOS. Feel free to choose the app that you think will do the most for you and download it immediately on your device.

• Gmail( Android / iOS ) – Does it really need an introduction? It is the application made officially available by Google for managing Gmail accounts on Android and iOS. It takes up all the main features offered via the Web and is totally free.
• MailDroid( Android ) – Application with a minimal appearance thanks to which it is however possible to perfectly manage e-mail on Android. It supports the use of Gmail accounts but can eventually be configured with other email services as well. It is free but it is also available in a paid version which removes advertising.
• Spark( iOS ) – It is one of the most popular applications for managing e-mail on iOS. It’s free, offers tons of cool features, integrates with various third-party services to save files in the cloud, for notes, etc. and, of course, it supports Gmail.