EndeavourOS sits in a very interesting place in the Linux world: it is Arch-based, but deliberately friendlier than plain Arch, with an installer that gets you to a working desktop quickly while still preserving the Arch way of doing things. In practice that means you get pacman as the native package manager, very strong support for the AUR, and a user base that is usually comfortable with a bit of terminal work when it pays off. It also means your choice of email client should not be driven only by “what is available”, but by how well it integrates with an Arch-style system, how cleanly it updates, and whether it feels at home on common EndeavourOS desktops such as KDE Plasma, XFCE, GNOME, and occasionally Cinnamon or i3.

For EndeavourOS, I would generally favour clients that are either well-maintained in the Arch repositories, easy to install from Flatpak without disrupting the system, or lightweight enough to suit the sort of desktop workflows EndeavourOS users often prefer. In that context, the strongest candidates from your list are Thunderbird, Evolution, Geary, Proton Mail, and Tuta Mail. If you want an alternative with a more polished interface or a particular workflow, Betterbird is also worth a look, though it is less likely to be the first recommendation on EndeavourOS than Thunderbird itself.

Below is a practical comparison tailored specifically to EndeavourOS rather than a generic Linux summary.

What makes these better suited to EndeavourOS?

1) Thunderbird is the safest recommendation. EndeavourOS users tend to appreciate software that is current, predictable, and easy to maintain through the system’s normal update cycle. Thunderbird fits that model nicely. Whether you run KDE Plasma on Wayland, XFCE on X11, or GNOME, it behaves well and is unlikely to create packaging headaches. Because pacman is the native package manager, the best experience is usually either the repository package or Flatpak if you prefer isolating desktop apps. For people who want a dependable mail client with broad account support, it is still the benchmark.

2) Evolution is especially strong for anyone using email alongside calendars, address books, and business-style workflows. On EndeavourOS, this matters because many users run KDE Plasma or GNOME and want their mail client to play nicely with online accounts and calendar services without having to bolt on extra tools. Evolution is also a sensible pick if you use IMAP heavily and want something closer to a personal information manager than a simple inbox.

3) Geary is the “keep it clean and simple” option. EndeavourOS users who like a neat desktop and do not want a sprawling interface will appreciate it. It is a good fit for lighter desktops too, because it is less imposing than Evolution and usually feels more refined than some older mail apps. If your mail use is straightforward—IMAP, a couple of accounts, and not much more—Geary is easy to recommend.

4) Proton Mail is worth including because many EndeavourOS users choose Linux specifically for privacy and control. If you already rely on Proton Mail, the desktop app is attractive. The only reason it is not higher in the list is packaging: EndeavourOS does not have a native pacman-first story for it, so you will usually lean on the AUR or a manually handled package. Still, for Proton users, it is the correct app to consider.

5) Tuta Mail rounds out the privacy-first choices. Flatpak support makes it easy to run cleanly on EndeavourOS, and that matters because Arch-based systems are generally best when you avoid unnecessary system-level clutter. Tuta’s desktop client is a sensible fit for privacy-conscious users who want a standalone app rather than webmail in a browser tab.

Why I would not prioritise some of the others on EndeavourOS

Clients such as KMail / Kontact can make sense if you are deeply invested in KDE Plasma, but they are more of a “KDE PIM suite” decision than a pure mail-client decision. That said, they can be very good on EndeavourOS for KDE users. Likewise, Mailspring is polished, but its packaging story is less native to EndeavourOS than Thunderbird or the Flatpak apps above. The TUI options such as aerc, NeoMutt, and Alpine are excellent for terminal enthusiasts, but they are much more specialist choices and are usually chosen because someone wants a keyboard-centric workflow rather than because they are the most suitable everyday email solution for a general EndeavourOS desktop.

The 3 best choices for most EndeavourOS users

1. Thunderbird — best overall balance of compatibility, support, and reliability.
2. Evolution — best for productivity, calendars, and heavier mail use.
3. Geary — best lightweight, modern choice for simpler inbox management.

How to install and configure the best 2-3 options on EndeavourOS

1) Thunderbird

On EndeavourOS, Thunderbird is the most straightforward choice. If it is available in your repositories, use pacman otherwise, Flatpak is a clean fallback. The advantage of pacman is that updates come through the same system-wide routine as the rest of your packages, which is exactly how EndeavourOS users tend to prefer keeping things tidy.

Install with pacman:

sudo pacman -S thunderbird

Or, if you prefer Flatpak:

flatpak install flathub org.mozilla.Thunderbird

Configuration is uncomplicated:

1. Open Thunderbird.
2. Go to the account setup screen and enter your name, email address, and password.
3. For IMAP accounts, ensure incoming mail is set to IMAP rather than POP unless you specifically want local-only downloads.
4. For Gmail, Microsoft 365, Proton Mail bridge usage, or other OAuth-based services, allow Thunderbird to open the browser login flow when prompted.
5. Under settings, enable message threading and automatic junk handling if you prefer a traditional mail client feel.

Useful EndeavourOS note: if you are running a minimal desktop like XFCE or i3, Thunderbird remains practical because it does not depend heavily on desktop-specific integration. It is also friendly to Wayland sessions under KDE and GNOME.

2) Evolution

Evolution is a particularly good fit for users who want email and personal information management together. On EndeavourOS, the Flatpak route is often the cleanest because it reduces dependency concerns and gives you a more predictable app environment.

Install with Flatpak:

flatpak install flathub org.gnome.Evolution

If you use the native package manager and the package is available in your setup, pacman is also an option:

sudo pacman -S evolution

Basic setup:

1. Launch Evolution and start the account wizard.
2. Add your email account using IMAP for modern sync.
3. If you use calendars, connect your online calendar provider during or after account setup.
4. Import contacts if needed, then verify time zone and sync settings.

Where Evolution shines on EndeavourOS is in a busy work setup. If you are using KDE Plasma or GNOME and want mail, calendar, and contacts together, it gives you a more cohesive experience than stitching together separate tools.

3) Geary

Geary is easy to recommend if your mail use is simple and you do not want the overhead of a large PIM suite. On EndeavourOS, Flatpak is generally the easiest installation path, especially if you want to avoid desktop-library mismatches.

Install with Flatpak:

flatpak install flathub org.gnome.Geary

Or use pacman if the package is available in your preferred repositories:

sudo pacman -S geary

Configuration is straightforward:

1. Open Geary.
2. Add an IMAP account.
3. Let it detect server settings automatically if your provider supports it.
4. Choose whether you want desktop notifications and unified inbox behaviour.

Geary is a very decent choice for people using EndeavourOS on lighter systems or for those who simply want a polished mail interface without the mass of features Thunderbird and Evolution bring.

What about Proton Mail and Tuta Mail on EndeavourOS?

If your priority is privacy rather than a traditional mail setup, both are valid. Proton Mail has the stronger reputation among Linux privacy users, but the packaging is less convenient on an Arch-based distribution because you do not get a neat pacman-native workflow. Tuta Mail is easier to run through Flatpak and is often attractive if you want a low-friction privacy client that stays relatively self-contained. In both cases, the practical answer on EndeavourOS is that they are best when you are already committed to those ecosystems.

Services worth pairing with these clients

If you are choosing a mail client on EndeavourOS, it is equally sensible to choose a mail service that matches your privacy and workflow needs. The following services are compatible choices and work well with the clients above:

• StartMail — a good option if you want a privacy-focused service with straightforward IMAP support and a more traditional email experience.
• Fastmail — excellent if you want speed, reliability, and strong calendar/contact integration, especially with Thunderbird or Evolution.
• Proton Mail — the natural choice if you are planning to use the Proton desktop app or want a strong privacy story across mail and related services.
• Tuta Mail — recommended if you prefer an end-to-end encrypted service and want a clean fit with the Tuta desktop client.

For most EndeavourOS users, the practical shortlist is simple: Thunderbird for the best all-round experience, Evolution for productivity-heavy use, and Geary for a lighter, neater desktop. If privacy is the priority, Proton Mail and Tuta Mail become much more compelling, especially when you are happy to use Flatpak or a manually managed package rather than relying on pacman alone.