Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

isync (mbsync) VS IMAP Upload

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

isync (mbsync) logo isync (mbsync)

mbsync is a command line application which synchronizes mailboxes.

IMAP Upload logo IMAP Upload

IMAP Upload is a tool for uploading a local mbox file to IMAP4 server.
  • isync (mbsync) Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-08-11
  • IMAP Upload Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-12

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.

IMAP Upload features and specs

  • Open Source
    IMAP Upload is freely available as an open-source tool, allowing users to modify and improve the software according to their needs.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    This tool can be used on multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it versatile for different users.
  • Command-Line Interface
    IMAP Upload operates via a command-line interface, which provides greater control and scripting capabilities for advanced users.
  • Batch Upload
    It allows bulk uploading of emails, which can save time and effort when migrating large volumes of data.
  • Customizability
    Users can adjust various parameters and utilize scripts for a tailored email upload experience.

Possible disadvantages of IMAP Upload

  • Complexity
    The command-line nature of IMAP Upload may present a steep learning curve for users unfamiliar with terminal operations.
  • Lack of GUI
    The absence of a graphical user interface might deter less technical users who prefer more user-friendly tools.
  • Limited Support
    Being community-driven, support might not be as readily available or comprehensive as proprietary software solutions.
  • Dependency on IMAP Servers
    It requires access to IMAP servers, and any server-specific limitations or configurations might impact functionality.
  • Potential Stability Issues
    As an open-source project, updates and maintenance depend on voluntary contributions, which might affect stability and the resolution of issues.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to isync (mbsync) and IMAP Upload)
Email Migration
74 74%
26% 26
File Management
69 69%
31% 31
Email Management
0 0%
100% 100
Backup & Restore
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, isync (mbsync) seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 17 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.

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
View more

IMAP Upload mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of IMAP Upload yet. Tracking of IMAP Upload recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

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

imapsync - Console-based utility for migrating IMAP mailboxes.

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.

mnIMAPSync - mnIMAPSync - Java IMAP email syncing tool

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

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

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