# alot vs Notmuch Emacs interface

- alot: Terminal mail reader written in Python that works on a local notmuch database, with tag-based search and threads.
- Notmuch Emacs interface: Emacs front end for notmuch that reads, searches, tags and composes mail from a local Maildir.

## Differences

- alot is a full-screen terminal client; Notmuch Emacs interface is a mail client that runs inside Emacs.
- Only Notmuch Emacs interface has built-in SMTP.
- On Android, alot is not available and Notmuch Emacs interface runs through Termux.
- Notmuch Emacs interface has calendar support; alot does not.
- Notmuch Emacs interface has S/MIME; alot does not.
- Notmuch Emacs interface has OAuth2 sign-in; alot does not.
- alot has Vim-style keys; Notmuch Emacs interface does not.
- alot is written in Python; Notmuch Emacs interface in Emacs Lisp.
- Configuration: alot uses INI-style config file plus optional Python hooks, and Notmuch Emacs interface uses Emacs Lisp in init.el plus the notmuch config file.

## Side by side

| | alot | Notmuch Emacs interface |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Interface | Full-screen terminal interface | Runs inside Emacs |
| Language | Python | Emacs Lisp |
| License | GPL 3.0 or later | GPL 3.0 or later |
| 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 | Through a separate tool |
| SMTP | Through a separate tool | Yes |
| JMAP | No | No |
| Maildir | Yes | Yes |
| mbox | No | No |
| notmuch | Yes | Yes |
| OpenPGP | Yes | Yes |
| S/MIME | No | Yes |
| OAuth2 sign-in | No | via script |
| Threads | Yes | Yes |
| Search | notmuch queries | notmuch Xapian full-text search with tags |
| HTML mail | via mailcap, e.g. w3m -dump | built-in, rendered with the Emacs shr library |
| Mouse | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple accounts | Yes | Yes |
| Offline use | always; reads a local notmuch database | full; reads a local Maildir synced by mbsync or OfflineIMAP |
| Calendar | No | shows text/calendar parts; no invitation replies |
| Contacts | via an external lookup command such as abook, khard or notmuch address | address completion from the notmuch index |
| Vim-style keys | Yes | No |
| Configuration | INI-style config file plus optional Python hooks | Emacs Lisp in init.el plus the notmuch config file |

Pages: [alot](https://terminalemail.com/clients/alot/index.md), [Notmuch Emacs interface](https://terminalemail.com/clients/notmuch-emacs/index.md)