Kanmail vs Discord

Kanmail is an open-source desktop email client that reframes your inbox as a kanban board: each column is a mailbox or folder, and you drag messages between columns to file, archive, or triage them. It runs locally on your own machine and connects straight to your existing accounts over IMAP/SMTP, including Gmail. Because it is a native desktop app rather than a hosted service, your mail stays between your computer and your mail provider, with no third-party inbox sync in between. It suits people who process a high volume of email and prefer a visual, drag-and-drop workflow to a traditional list view.

Discord is a communication platform organized around servers and channels, hugely popular with gaming and online communities but increasingly used by all kinds of groups. It combines text, voice, and video with rich bots and integrations.

• Open source and installed locally, so mail is not routed through a third-party service
• Visual kanban layout makes a large inbox far easier to triage
• Connects to any standard IMAP/SMTP account, including Gmail
• Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux

• Great for communities
• Excellent voice quality
• Rich bot ecosystem
• Free and generous

• Requires installing and configuring a desktop app — there is no browser version
• Single-user client with no built-in team or shared-inbox features
• Smaller project than mainstream mail clients, so fewer integrations and extras

• Can be overwhelming to moderate
• Not built for formal business
• Nitro upsells