The best email services to use with Balsa on Linux

Balsa is an email client for Linux historically associated with the GNOME desktop. It is a lightweight, classic and configurable option, designed for those who want to manage email from the desktop without using an overly heavy application. The project itself defines it as an email client for GNOME, configurable and with the features of a robust client. (pawsa.fedorapeople.org)

Although Balsa fits especially well in GNOME, it can also be used on desktops such as Xfce, Cinnamon, MATE or KDE Plasma. It makes sense on distributions such as Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, openSUSE, Arch Linux or Linux Mint, especially if you are looking for a traditional client compatible with IMAP, POP3 and SMTP accounts. The project repository states that Balsa supports local mailboxes, POP3 and IMAP. (GitHub)

In this comparison we will look at some of the best email services to use with Balsa: StartMail, Mailfence, Infomaniak Mail, Fastmail, Gmail, Outlook, Zoho Mail and Proton Mail.

Comparison table

Email	Compatibility with Balsa	Ease of setup	Privacy	Price	Best for
StartMail	Very good	Medium	High	Paid	Privacy with IMAP
Mailfence	Very good	Medium	High	Limited free / paid	Privacy and productivity
Infomaniak Mail	Very good	Medium	Medium-high	Limited free / paid	European email and domains
Fastmail	Excellent	High	Medium-high	Paid	Daily and professional use
Gmail	Good	Medium	Medium	Free / paid	General users
Outlook	Good	Medium	Medium	Free / paid	Microsoft users
Zoho Mail	Very good	Medium	Medium-high	Limited free / paid	Businesses and custom domains
Proton Mail	Limited / with Bridge	Medium-low	Very high	Limited free / paid	Advanced privacy

1. StartMail: privacy with IMAP for a classic client

StartMail is one of the best options to use with Balsa if you are looking for privacy without giving up classic setup. Balsa is a traditional client, so it fits especially well with providers that offer IMAP and SMTP clearly.

StartMail allows email to be configured through IMAP using a password generated for the device; its documentation states that the IMAP server is imap.startmail.com, port 993 and SSL/TLS. (support.startmail.com) In addition, StartMail states that it allows the account to be synchronized with up to five IMAP configurations and that it does not support POP3. (support.startmail.com)

Advantages of StartMail in Balsa

• Good privacy approach.
• Compatible with IMAP.
• Suitable for traditional email clients.
• Good alternative to Gmail and Outlook.
• Fits well with lightweight desktops such as Xfce, MATE or Cinnamon.

Disadvantages

• It is a paid service.
• It does not support POP3.
• It may require manual setup.
• It is not as well known as Gmail, Outlook or Proton Mail.

Opinion

StartMail is a very interesting option for Balsa because it respects the philosophy of a classic client: IMAP server, manual setup and user control. If you want privacy without using bridges or closed applications, it is one of the best choices.

2. Mailfence: privacy and extra features

Mailfence also fits very well with Balsa, especially if you are looking for a European alternative to the major providers. Its strong point is that it does not only offer email, but also calendar, contacts, documents and collaborative tools.

For Balsa, the important thing is that Mailfence offers IMAP, POP and SMTP access on compatible plans. The company itself explains that its free plan keeps 1 GB of storage, but does not include IMAP/SMTP/POP access, so to use it properly with a client like Balsa, it is best to choose a paid plan. (Mailfence Blog)

Advantages of Mailfence in Balsa

• Good privacy approach.
• Compatible with IMAP, POP and SMTP on paid plans.
• European alternative to Gmail and Outlook.
• Includes email, calendar, contacts and documents.
• Good option for users who want more control over their data.

Disadvantages

• Access through external clients is not included in the free plan.
• It may require manual setup.
• Balsa does not take advantage of all its collaborative features.
• It is not as simple as Gmail for beginners.

Opinion

Mailfence is one of the best private options for Balsa if you accept using a paid plan. It has more features than Balsa can directly take advantage of, but as an email provider compatible with IMAP/SMTP, it is a very solid alternative.

3. Infomaniak Mail: good European option for domains and serious email

Infomaniak Mail is an option that deserves to be included in the list, especially for those who want a European provider, with professional services and good compatibility with standard protocols. For a client like Balsa, this is important: the more standard the provider is, the easier it will be to configure.

Infomaniak states that its services are compatible with standard protocols, including IMAP/SMTP for email. (infomaniak.com) It also documents the recommended settings for email clients: IMAP server mail.infomaniak.com, port 993 with SSL, SMTP server mail.infomaniak.com and port 587 with STARTTLS. (infomaniak.com)

Advantages of Infomaniak Mail in Balsa

• Good compatibility with IMAP and SMTP.
• European provider.
• Interesting for custom domains.
• Good option for professional users.
• Fits well with traditional Linux clients.

Disadvantages

• It may require manual setup.
• It is not as popular as Gmail or Outlook.
• Some features are better used from its own ecosystem.
• It may be more interesting for users with a domain or professional needs than for a basic account.

Opinion

Infomaniak Mail is a very good option for Balsa if you are looking for European, serious email compatible with standards. It is not the most popular option, but it is one of the most coherent for those who use Linux, desktop clients and custom domains.

4. Fastmail: the best balance for Balsa

Fastmail is one of the most balanced options for Balsa. It is fast, stable, compatible with external clients and very focused on email. For a classic client like Balsa, this is a clear advantage: it does not depend on tricks or complex integrations.

Fastmail documents the use of IMAP, POP and SMTP to connect the account with third-party clients, which makes it a very convenient option for desktop clients. (support.startmail.com)

Advantages of Fastmail in Balsa

• Excellent compatibility with IMAP and SMTP.
• Very stable for desktop clients.
• Ideal for custom domains.
• Fast service focused on email.
• Good option for advanced personal or professional use.

Disadvantages

• It does not have a full free plan.
• It is not as focused on end-to-end encryption as Proton Mail or Tuta Mail.
• It may be less attractive for those who only want a free account.

Opinion

Fastmail is probably the most balanced email service for Balsa. It is not the most private in the strict sense, but it is one of the best fits for a traditional desktop client. If you want Balsa to be your main client, Fastmail is a safe bet.

5. Gmail: convenient, but not always ideal for Balsa

Gmail can be used with Balsa, but it is not always the cleanest option for a classic client. Gmail works very well with modern clients that support OAuth2, but in more traditional clients it may require additional adjustments, app passwords or more careful configuration.

Even so, it remains a very popular option for users of Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Linux Mint or Arch Linux who want to centralize their email in a well-known account.

Advantages of Gmail in Balsa

• Very popular service.
• Good storage.
• Compatible with IMAP and SMTP.
• Ideal if you already use Android, Google Drive or Google Calendar.
• Good option for personal accounts.

Disadvantages

• It is not the best option for privacy.
• It may be less convenient in classic clients than in Thunderbird or Evolution.
• It depends heavily on the Google ecosystem.
• Some features are better enjoyed from the web.

Opinion

Gmail can work with Balsa, but I would not place it as the most recommended option for this client. It is convenient as a service, but Balsa shines more with providers that offer simple and direct IMAP/SMTP configuration.

6. Outlook / Hotmail: useful if you already use Microsoft

Outlook and old Hotmail accounts can also be used with external email clients, but in Balsa they may require more attention than in more modern clients. Microsoft has increasingly pushed toward modern authentication, so the experience may depend on the specific account configuration and client support.

Even so, Outlook makes sense if you already use Windows, OneDrive, Microsoft 365 or a Microsoft account for work or studies.

Advantages of Outlook in Balsa

• Good option for Microsoft users.
• Free accounts and paid plans.
• Suitable for personal, academic and professional use.
• Clear alternative to Gmail.
• Useful if you switch between Linux and Windows.

Disadvantages

• It may require more adjustments than other providers.
• The full experience is more designed for Outlook web or Microsoft Outlook.
• It does not stand out for privacy.
• It may not be the most convenient option for a classic client like Balsa.

Opinion

Outlook is a decent option if you already depend on the Microsoft ecosystem, but it would not be my first recommendation for Balsa. For this client, providers such as StartMail, Mailfence, Infomaniak or Fastmail fit better.

7. Zoho Mail: good option for businesses and custom domains

Zoho Mail is an interesting alternative to use with Balsa if you need professional email, a custom domain or a separate account for work. Zoho Mail allows IMAP and SMTP to be configured in external clients, although it may require enabling IMAP from the account.

It is a very reasonable option for freelancers, small businesses and users who want an alternative to Google Workspace or Microsoft 365.

Advantages of Zoho Mail in Balsa

• Good compatibility with IMAP and SMTP.
• Very useful for custom domains.
• Interesting for small businesses and freelancers.
• Alternative to Google Workspace and Microsoft 365.
• Good balance between price and features.

Disadvantages

• It may require manually enabling IMAP.
• Some features depend on the chosen plan.
• It is not as simple as Gmail for home users.
• Its ecosystem may be too broad if you only want email.

Opinion

Zoho Mail fits well with Balsa if you are looking for professional email or a custom domain. It is not the simplest option for a basic user, but it is a powerful alternative for work, business or personal projects.

8. Proton Mail: maximum privacy, but less convenient in Balsa

Proton Mail is one of the best-known providers when it comes to privacy, but it is not the most direct option for Balsa. To use Proton Mail with external clients, Proton Mail Bridge is normally required, which creates a local IMAP/SMTP connection between the Proton account and the desktop client.

The problem is that Proton Mail Bridge is usually more designed and documented for clients such as Thunderbird, Outlook or Apple Mail. With Balsa it may be possible if configured manually, but it is not the simplest combination.

Advantages of Proton Mail in Balsa

• Very high privacy.
• Strong encryption within the Proton ecosystem.
• Good alternative to Gmail and Outlook.
• Complete ecosystem with email, calendar, VPN, storage and password manager.
• Interesting for advanced users.

Disadvantages

• Requires Proton Mail Bridge.
• Less direct setup.
• To use Bridge, a paid plan is normally required.
• It is not the most convenient option for a classic client like Balsa.
• It may be excessive if you only want to read and send email.

Opinion

Proton Mail is excellent as a private service, but I would not choose it as the first option for Balsa. If the priority is privacy with simple integration, StartMail or Mailfence fit better. Proton makes more sense for advanced users who accept configuring Bridge manually.

Final ranking

Rank	Email	Rating
1	Fastmail	The best balance for Balsa
2	StartMail	Best private option with IMAP
3	Infomaniak Mail	Best European option for domains
4	Mailfence	Privacy and complete suite
5	Zoho Mail	Very good for businesses
6	Gmail	Popular, but less ideal in Balsa
7	Outlook	Useful for Microsoft users
8	Proton Mail	Very private, but less convenient

Which one should you choose?

For the best overall experience in Balsa, I would choose Fastmail. It is stable, fast, compatible with IMAP/SMTP and fits very well with a classic email client.

If privacy is the priority, StartMail is one of the best options because it maintains relatively simple integration through IMAP. Mailfence is also highly recommended if you want privacy and a more complete ecosystem, although access to external clients requires a compatible plan.

Infomaniak Mail deserves a special mention because it combines a European provider, standards compatibility and a good fit with custom domains. For Linux users working on Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, openSUSE or Arch Linux, it can be a very interesting alternative.

Gmail and Outlook are valid options, but not the best for Balsa. They work better in more modern clients or with more complete OAuth2 integration. Zoho Mail stands out if you need professional email, while Proton Mail remains an advanced privacy option, but with less direct setup.

Conclusion

The best email service for Balsa depends on the type of user:

• Best overall: Fastmail
• Best private option with IMAP: StartMail
• Best European option for domains: Infomaniak Mail
• Best private option with a complete suite: Mailfence
• Best for businesses: Zoho Mail
• Most popular: Gmail
• Best for Microsoft users: Outlook
• Best advanced privacy: Proton Mail

If you use Balsa on Linux, especially on GNOME, Xfce, Cinnamon or MATE, and on distributions such as Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, openSUSE, Arch Linux or Linux Mint, it is best to choose a provider with clear IMAP and SMTP support. That is why Fastmail, StartMail, Infomaniak Mail and Mailfence are the options that best fit this client.