alot vs nmh
alot: Terminal mail reader written in Python that works on a local notmuch database, with tag-based search and threads.
nmh: The MH message handling system: separate shell commands to read, file, search and send mail stored one file per message.
Differences
- alot is a full-screen terminal client; nmh is a command-line program.
- Only alot has built-in notmuch.
- Only nmh has built-in POP3, SMTP and mbox.
- On Android, alot is not available and nmh runs through Termux.
- alot has mouse support; nmh does not.
- nmh has calendar support; alot does not.
- alot has OpenPGP; nmh does not.
- alot has Vim-style keys; nmh does not.
- alot has threaded views; nmh does not.
- alot is written in Python; nmh in C.
- Configuration: alot uses INI-style config file plus optional Python hooks, and nmh uses ~/.mh_profile and mts.conf text files.
Side by side
| alot | nmh | |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | Full-screen terminal interface | Command-line tools and prompts |
| Language | Python | C |
| License | GPL 3.0 or later | BSD 3-Clause |
| Latest version | 0.12 | 1.8 |
| Linux | Native | Native |
| macOS | Native | Native |
| Windows | Through WSL | Through WSL |
| BSD | Native | Native |
| Android | No | Through Termux |
| IMAP | Through a separate tool | Through a separate tool |
| POP3 | Through a separate tool | Yes |
| SMTP | Through a separate tool | Yes |
| JMAP | No | No |
| Maildir | Yes | Yes |
| mbox | No | Yes |
| notmuch | Yes | No |
| OpenPGP | Yes | No |
| S/MIME | No | No |
| OAuth2 sign-in | No | No |
| Threads | Yes | No |
| Search | notmuch queries | pick command matches header fields and message text |
| HTML mail | via mailcap, e.g. w3m -dump | via mhshow with an external converter such as w3m |
| Mouse | Yes | No |
| Multiple accounts | Yes | via per-command switches or separate profiles |
| Offline use | always; reads a local notmuch database | full; messages are stored as local files |
| Calendar | No | replies to invitations with mhical |
| Contacts | via an external lookup command such as abook, khard or notmuch address | aliases via MailAliases and the ali command |
| Vim-style keys | Yes | No |
| Configuration | INI-style config file plus optional Python hooks | ~/.mh_profile and mts.conf text files |
Which to choose
Choose alot for
- Tag-based searches through notmuch instead of folders
- Full PGP/MIME signing and encryption
- Python hooks for custom behavior and formatting
Watch out for
- Needs separate tools to fetch mail (mbsync) and send it (msmtp)
- No direct IMAP, POP3 or SMTP support
- No S/MIME support
Choose nmh for
- Every action is a shell command, so mail handling is easy to script.
- One file per message lets grep, find and other Unix tools work on mail.
- Built-in POP3 and SMTP with TLS and SASL; reads mbox and Maildir drops.
Watch out for
- No IMAP; IMAP mail must be synced to a Maildir first and then incorporated.
- No built-in OpenPGP or S/MIME, and no thread view.
- SMTP authentication needs nmh built with Cyrus SASL and its PLAIN or LOGIN plugin.
Questions
What is the difference between alot and nmh?
alot is a full-screen terminal client; nmh is a command-line program. Only alot has built-in notmuch. Only nmh has built-in POP3, SMTP and mbox.
Which runs on Windows, alot or nmh?
On Windows, alot runs through WSL. On Windows, nmh runs through WSL.
See also: alot alternatives, nmh alternatives.