Kevin’s Picks: The Fastmail Desktop App
Fastmail’s new desktop app doesn’t add new features. It works the way you'd expect. You stay signed in, get notifications, and finally use Fastmail like a real desktop app.
When Fastmail released its new desktop app this week, I installed it right away. There are versions for Mac, Windows, and Linux. It looks exactly like the web version, but it solves one of my biggest frustrations, it stays signed in. No more session timeouts in a web browser or repeated logins after short breaks.
I have previously used Betterbird (a fork of Thunderbird) and more recently Mailbird. I’m not thrilled with either. Both are free, but Mailbird tries to trick you into upgrading for features you may not need.
Designed for the Desktop
The desktop app integrates more cleanly with your computer. You can set it as your default mail app, receive native desktop notifications, and close it while it continues running quietly in the background. It feels consistent, efficient, and better aligned with how people actually use their devices.
Practical, Though Not Without Issues
Some users have fair criticisms. Because it’s built on Electron, the app uses more system memory than a traditional native client, but I haven’t noticed a performance hit on my computer (7 years old). A few Mac users have reported mild lag or display quirks, and others wish Fastmail had focused on improving filtering or search instead. Still, those drawbacks don’t outweigh the convenience it brings.
An Upgrade That Simplifies Everyday Use
The Fastmail desktop app doesn’t change how the service looks or operates, it simply removes the barriers from always having the web app open in a tab. You stay signed in, and it blends more naturally into your daily routine. If you’ve been frustrated by the web version logging you out, this new option fixes that.
That said, it is version 1.0, so it’s not perfect and is lacking features at this point that I’m sure they’ll address.
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