Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

mnIMAPSync VS isync (mbsync)

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

mnIMAPSync logo mnIMAPSync

mnIMAPSync - Java IMAP email syncing tool

isync (mbsync) logo isync (mbsync)

mbsync is a command line application which synchronizes mailboxes.
  • mnIMAPSync Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-23
  • isync (mbsync) Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-08-11

mnIMAPSync features and specs

  • Open Source
    mnIMAPSync is open source, allowing users to access, modify, and distribute the source code freely, fostering community contributions and transparency.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    The tool is designed to work across different platforms, making it accessible to a wide range of users with varying system requirements.
  • IMAP Synchronization
    mnIMAPSync efficiently syncs emails between two IMAP servers, making it easier for users to migrate or back up their email data.
  • Customizable
    Users can modify the tool to suit their specific needs due to its open-source nature, offering flexibility in its use.
  • Community Support
    Being hosted on GitHub, mnIMAPSync benefits from community-driven support where users can ask questions, report issues, or suggest features.

Possible disadvantages of mnIMAPSync

  • Technical Complexity
    Setting up and using mnIMAPSync might require technical knowledge, which could be a barrier for non-technical users.
  • Limited Documentation
    The tool might lack comprehensive documentation, making it difficult for users to fully understand its capabilities and setup procedures.
  • Maintenance
    As an open-source project, active maintenance and updates depend on community involvement, which might not always be consistent.
  • Server Configuration
    Proper server configuration is required for mnIMAPSync to function correctly, which may require additional setup and troubleshooting.
  • Dependency Management
    Users need to manage dependencies required for mnIMAPSync to work, which might complicate the installation process for some users.

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.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to mnIMAPSync and isync (mbsync))
Email Migration
40 40%
60% 60
File Management
46 46%
54% 54
Email Management
100 100%
0% 0
Backup & Restore
0 0%
100% 100

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.

mnIMAPSync mentions (0)

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

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 mnIMAPSync and isync (mbsync), you can also consider the following products

imapsync - Console-based utility for migrating IMAP mailboxes.

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

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.

Fetchmail - The Fetchmail Project

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

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