Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

imapsync VS isync (mbsync)

Compare imapsync VS isync (mbsync) and see what are their differences

imapsync logo imapsync

Console-based utility for migrating IMAP mailboxes.

isync (mbsync) logo isync (mbsync)

mbsync is a command line application which synchronizes mailboxes.
  • imapsync Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-12
  • isync (mbsync) Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-08-11

imapsync features and specs

  • Compatibility
    Supports many IMAP servers, both free and commercial, ensuring broad applicability for different email systems.
  • Incremental Syncing
    Only copies new or changed emails, which reduces redundant data transfer and speeds up the syncing process.
  • Comprehensive Documentation
    Provides detailed and clear documentation, which helps users to set up and troubleshoot issues effectively.
  • Command Line Interface
    Allows for scriptable and automated email migrations, suitable for batch operations and large-scale deployments.
  • Open Source
    Freely available source code, which can be customized according to the specific needs of the user.

Possible disadvantages of imapsync

  • Complex Configuration
    Command-line interface and numerous options might be overwhelming for users who are not technically savvy.
  • Performance on Large Mailboxes
    Can be slow when dealing with very large mailboxes, potentially extending migration time.
  • Cost for Latest Version
    Although the software is open source, the latest version requires a purchase, which might not be ideal for all users.
  • No GUI
    Lacks a graphical user interface, which could have made it more accessible for non-technical users.
  • Dependency Management
    Requires dependencies that need to be manually installed, which can add complexity to the initial setup process.

isync (mbsync) features and specs

  • Efficient Synchronization
    Isync (mbsync) efficiently synchronizes mailboxes, making it suitable for users who need to keep their mail in sync across multiple devices or platforms.
  • IMAP and Maildir Support
    It supports both IMAP and Maildir formats, offering flexibility for different email storage configurations.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source tool, isync allows users to inspect, modify, and contribute to the code, fostering community support and transparency.
  • Lightweight
    Isync (mbsync) is lightweight and doesn't consume extensive system resources, making it a good choice for users with limited resources.
  • Customizable
    The tool offers a high degree of customization, letting users configure synchronization options to match their specific needs.

Possible disadvantages of isync (mbsync)

  • Complex Configuration
    Setting up isync can be complex, requiring a solid understanding of configuration files and command-line operations.
  • Limited GUI Support
    Isync lacks a graphical user interface, which can be a hurdle for users who prefer GUI-based applications over command-line tools.
  • No Built-in Scripting or Scheduling
    Users need to rely on external scripts or scheduling tools (like cron) to automate synchronization tasks, adding an extra layer of complexity.
  • Documentation
    The documentation for isync may not be as comprehensive or user-friendly as that of some commercial alternatives, potentially causing difficulties for new users.

imapsync videos

Migration Google Apps Mail or Gmail to Zimbra Mail with imapsync

isync (mbsync) videos

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to imapsync and isync (mbsync))
Email Management
100 100%
0% 0
Email Migration
60 60%
40% 40
Monitoring Tools
75 75%
25% 25
File Management
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using imapsync and isync (mbsync). For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, imapsync should be more popular than isync (mbsync). It has been mentiond 55 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

imapsync mentions (55)

  • Imapsync
    The author disagrees with you https://github.com/imapsync/imapsync/issues/257#issuecomment-741225371 is because: - I earn my leaving from imapsync buyers but less likely on donators, as a measured fact. - Donations work 1/100 less than payments, ie, for $1 from donators I get $100 of buyers. - I don't make the github release, Nicolas does, and Nicolas doesn't include the .exe binary in the repository, it is a... - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Ask HN: Are there any CLI only tools that are monetised
    Https://imapsync.lamiral.info Bought it to transfer mail from SMTP to Office365. Worth every penny. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Purelymail: Cheap Email for Everyone
    Another happy Purelymail customer here (5 years). If anyone needs to move mail storage from one IMAP server to another (eg; Purelymail) I can highly recommend https://imapsync.lamiral.info/ Not for it's website graphic design, but as a CLI tool that works perfectly. "source server -->> target server" and let it run. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Purelymail: Cheap Email for Everyone
    If your provider supports IMAP, you can use imapsync https://imapsync.lamiral.info/ to sync emails between two mail boxes. I did it a few times and it was straightforward. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Migrate mailbox from OVH to Microsoft
    You see this https://imapsync.lamiral.info/ ? It's only for mails but it's a great solution. Source: over 1 year ago
View more

isync (mbsync) mentions (17)

  • Imapsync
    Instead of migrating from server to server — and remaining on computers I don’t own - I download locally which it looks this tool doesn’t do. I use mbsync/isync which is fast and reliable. https://isync.sourceforge.io/. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Seeking Advice on Backing Up Emails from External Email Providers - Not Hosting
    There are also isync and OfflineIMAP which sync email locally. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Suggestions for long term email storage
    I set up mbsync to mirror the current (last 90 days) of my Fastmail IMAP account into another local Maildir, and told Notmuch to index that as well. This ensures a Notmuch search will cover both current & archived messages. Source: about 2 years ago
  • What's the benefit of using an email client?
    On my notebook I went full-on nerd and read and write emails mostly in the Emacs text editor. In particular I use isync to fetch emails via imap (that's independent from Emacs) and the Emacs extension mu4e to view, write and send emails. It's not something I recommend if you're not used to working with code and not using Emacs anyway, but for me it makes sense, since emails are just text and Emacs is good with... Source: about 2 years ago
  • How to run a script to cleanup emails ?
    Myself, I keep a local copy of my mail using isync/mbsync. This allows me to use mutt and notmuch on my mail, or even just plain old grep. Granted, this also means you'll have to download your 30GB mailbox locally. Personally, I consider this a feature, as it gives me a local backup. Source: about 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing imapsync and isync (mbsync), you can also consider the following products

MailStore - MailStore Home - A 100% free single-private-user desktop solution

Softaken IMAP to IMAP Migration - Softaken IMAP to IMAP Migration allows transfer of emails from one IMAP Server to another. All IMAP Servers are compatible with this application. Users can easily migrate complete mailbox folders between IMAP Server accounts with attachments.

Gmvault - Backup the emails in your Gmail account.

OfflineIMAP - OfflineImap synchronizes email between an IMAP server and a MailDir or between two IMAP servers.

MigrationWiz - MigrationWiz provides on-demand mailbox migration services through a fully automated cloud-based...

MigrateCloudData IMAP Mail Backup Tool - A trusted software with better designs and functions to perform the backup and migration of IMAP emails.