Pricing / License Modes

MailMate has an uncommon license key model, but it’s relatively simple. You can find detailed information below, but here is the short version.

MailMate can run in one of three different modes:

If you are unsure of the current state of your MailMate install then note the button in the upper right corner of the main window of MailMate or review the license key (if one exists) by selecting it in the “MailMate ▸ Registration” menu.

Trial Mode

After you have downloaded MailMate, you can immediately start using it in its Trial Mode. There are no restrictions on features, but MailMate keeps track of the days of active use. At some point (currently 14 days of active use), MailMate will encourage you to move on to a different license mode.

Most email clients will add a so-called header line to every outgoing email which provides information about the email client used to send the email. When in Trial Mode, MailMate will add a header using “MailMate Trial” as the email client name.

Support Mode

You need a license key to switch from Trial Mode to Support Mode in MailMate. You get a license key by signing up for a subscription paying for the ongoing development of MailMate. The price is currently $10 every 3 months (or the equivalent in your local currency plus any VAT required). Also note the End User License Agreement (EULA).

As described for the Trial Mode, MailMate adds a header line to every outgoing email, but this will simply state “MailMate” as the email client name. This implicitly indicates that you support MailMate development.

You are encouraged to continue supporting the development of MailMate, but it’s not a requirement for all users. Read more about this in the Free Mode section.

It’s important to note that you are paying for the continued maintenance and development of MailMate. Being a supporter does not, in any way, guarantee getting a quick reply to support emails or any reply at all (EULA).

Free Mode

When Support Mode expires, MailMate will automatically switch to Free Mode. In this mode, you continue to have access to all features of MailMate, but it is not intended to be used by all users. If you are part of a business or you run a business relying on the use of MailMate then it is also required that you use MailMate in Support Mode. Inversely, non-profit use does not require the use of Support Mode, but you will then rely on the willingness of others to pay for future maintenance and development of MailMate.

As described above, MailMate adds a header line to every outgoing email stating the email client used. In Free Mode, this header line will explicitly use “MailMate Free Mode” as the email client name. Most of your correspondents will never see this, but some email clients will display it when it’s available. This includes future releases of MailMate.

If you are using MailMate in its Free Mode and you would like to switch to Support Mode then use the button in the upper right corner of the main MailMate window. This will allow MailMate to connect your current license key to your recurring payments.

Legacy License Keys

Older license keys (of any kind) will continue to work as if in Support Mode for at least 2 years after its purchase date or until July 1st, 2025, whichever occurs last. It’ll then switch to Free Mode (unless you are already a MailMate patron/supporter of course).

You might also want to read a bit about the motivation for the switch to the subscription model.

Existing patrons do not need to do anything. Patronage is equivalent to having a subscription.