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Balsa vs KMail: catalog facts
Balsa	KMail
Free Free and open source under the GPL.	Free Free and open source under the GPL.
Linux	Linux
Lightweight native GTK interface Fits in with the GNOME desktop	OpenPGP and S/MIME encryption integrated rather than bolted on Shares contacts and calendar with the rest of the Kontact suite
Linux only Smaller feature set than full PIM suites	Depends on the Akonadi storage service, which is a common source of problems Linux only in practice
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: GPL-2.0-or-later	License: GPL-2.0
No account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 24, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.