Aerion replaces geary as my top Linux email client

At a glance:

• Aerion, a Linux‑first open‑source client, overtakes Geary for the author
• Supports Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, iCloud, ProtonMail Bridge, Fastmail, Zoho, AOL, GMX, Mail.com and generic IMAP/POP
• Install via Flathub on Linux (flatpak install --user io.github.hkdb.Aerion) or download native installers for macOS and Windows

What is aerion?

Aerion is a cross‑platform email client that launched as a pre‑release in early 2024. Sponsored by Hong‑Kong‑based IT consultancy 3DF, the app is positioned as privacy‑focused, lightweight, and efficient. Its source code lives in a public GitHub repository (github.com/hkdb/Aerion), allowing anyone to audit the code or contribute improvements.

The UI follows a three‑pane layout familiar to many desktop mail apps: an account pane on the left, a message list in the centre, and a viewing pane on the right. Settings let users pick a native, Aerion‑styled, or disabled title bar, switch themes, and change the interface language. Because the client avoids feature bloat, the learning curve is virtually nonexistent – you can start sending and receiving mail after the first launch.

Why it beats geary for the author

Jack Wallen, the author of the original review, has used Geary as his default Linux mail client for years. While Geary is lightweight and modern, it exhibits quirks with tiling window managers: the message view can consume the entire window if the pane isn’t wide enough, and on Pop!_OS the app sometimes fails to appear until the geary command is run manually.

Aerion resolves those pain points with a more predictable layout and reliable window behavior across desktop environments. Its focus mode, a single‑click toggle that hides the message list and sidebar, gives a distraction‑free reading experience that Geary lacks. The author also notes that Aerion feels at home on any OS, thanks to its consistent UI design.

Supported accounts and core features

Aerion supports a broad spectrum of email providers out of the box:

• Gmail
• Outlook/Hotmail
• Yahoo Mail
• iCloud Mail
• ProtonMail Bridge
• Fastmail
• Zoho Mail
• AOL Mail
• GMX Mail
• Mail.com
• Generic IMAP/POP servers

Feature‑wise, Aerion includes rich‑text formatting, theming, in‑window or detached composing, read receipts, remote image loading control, signatures, contacts, email archiving, a basic spam filter, focus mode, email filtering, and automatic removal of tracking elements. The feature set is deliberately lean, avoiding the overwhelm that can accompany more heavyweight clients.

Installation on linux, macos and windows

On Linux, Aerion is distributed through Flathub. Users need Flatpak installed and then run:

flatpak install --user io.github.hkdb.Aerion

After installation, the app appears in the application menu; launching it opens the onboarding wizard where accounts are added.

For macOS and Windows, installers are available on the official download page. The process mirrors any typical desktop installation: download the .dmg or .exe, double‑click, and follow the wizard prompts. Because Aerion is still in pre‑release, the author reports “remarkably stable” performance across all three platforms.

User experience and focus mode

One of the standout experiences is Aerion’s Focus Mode. Clicking the small square next to the printer icon in the top‑right corner collapses the account and message list panes, leaving only the current email visible. Exiting focus mode is as simple as clicking the same icon again. This mode is especially useful for reading long newsletters or code snippets without visual clutter.

The client also offers an “All Inboxes” view, aggregating messages from every configured account into a single list. This eliminates the need to hop between accounts, streamlining workflow for users who juggle personal and work email.

Where to get aerion and what’s next

Aerion’s development roadmap is public on GitHub, where users can file issues or submit pull requests. The sponsor, 3DF, markets itself as “Asia’s leading technical operations partner,” lending corporate backing that may reassure security‑conscious adopters. Future updates are expected to add more advanced filtering rules, calendar integration, and possibly native encryption support.

For anyone dissatisfied with Geary’s window quirks or looking for a clean, cross‑platform alternative, Aerion presents a compelling option that balances simplicity with the essential features most users need today.