aerc vs Dove
aerc
aerc-mail.org
Dove
dove.emailSide by side
| Figure | aerc | Dove |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $16.67/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 3 |
| Spec score · Email clients | 8.5 (#26) | 9.0 (#11) |
| App coverage | desktop | all |
| Calendar tools | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | The project lists binary packages for Alpine, Arch, Debian, Fedora, openSUSE, Slackware, and macOS through Homebrew. | Dove is available on web, macOS, iOS, Android and Windows, with one paid plan covering all platforms. |
| Product | aerc is an email client that runs in a terminal. | Dove is an AI-powered email app that organizes email and surfaces messages needing action. |
| Security | It supports PGP signing, encryption, and verification using GnuPG. | Dove says email content is not used to train AI models and data is encrypted in transit and at rest. |
| Support | The project directs users to its discussion mailing list for support and general discussion. | Dove lists self-serve support and provides [email protected] for questions. |
Plans
In their own words
Dove
Dove is an AI-powered email app that sorts incoming mail and brings messages needing action into view. Its inbox separates mail into Focus, Feed and Noise, prioritizing requests, retaining useful updates and moving lower-priority messages out of Today. Today summarizes incoming email and highlights tasks, upcoming events and people the user is waiting on. Ask Dove can answer questions about inbox conversations, and AI can draft replies for the user to review. Dove supports Gmail, Google Workspace, Outlook, Microsoft 365, iCloud, Yahoo and any IMAP account; every plan allows unlimited connected accounts. It runs on Android, iOS, macOS, web and Windows, with offline access and calendar tools. Dove says it scores email risks and quarantines messages it identifies as dangerous, including phishing, malware and impersonation attempts. The Free plan costs nothing and includes core inbox features and 10 AI actions per day; Compose, Wingman, Summaries and Ask AI each use one action. Pro costs $20 a month or $200 a year, with unlimited AI and all features. A 7-day trial requires a card, with subscription beginning on day 8 unless canceled first. Dove is headquartered in Singapore.