# 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 |
| Linux | Native | Native |
| macOS | Native | Native |
| Windows | Through WSL | Through WSL |
| BSD | Native | Native |
| Android | Not supported | 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 |

Pages: [alot](https://terminalemail.com/clients/alot/index.md), [nmh](https://terminalemail.com/clients/nmh/index.md)