f.lux
f.lux is a cross-platform computer program that adjusts your display's color temperature according to location and time of day to reduce eye strain and improve sleep quality.
Mailbird
Mailbird is a desktop email client for Windows that consolidates multiple email accounts, calendars, and task management apps into a single, customizable interface to streamline your daily digital communication.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | f.lux | Mailbird |
|---|---|---|
| Website | justgetflux.com | mailbird.com |
| Pricing Model | Free | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $3.25/month |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 3 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✘ No product demo | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2009 | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, USA | Aalborg, Denmark |
Overview
f.lux
f.lux is a display management tool designed to align your screen's brightness and color with your internal biological clock. During the day, your screens look like sunlight, but as the sun sets, the software automatically transitions your display to a warmer, amber hue. This shift mimics indoor lighting and reduces the blue light exposure that often interferes with your sleep patterns and causes digital eye strain.
You can customize the experience by telling the software exactly what kind of lighting you have and where you live. It then handles the transitions automatically, so you never have to manually adjust your monitor settings as evening approaches. It is a set-it-and-forget-it solution for anyone who spends long hours in front of a computer, especially during late-night sessions.
Mailbird
Mailbird is a desktop-based email client designed to help you regain control over your inbox. Instead of jumping between browser tabs, you can manage all your accounts—including Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo—from one unified interface. You can customize the layout to match your workflow, choosing from various themes and organizational views that make processing high volumes of mail feel effortless.
Beyond just email, you can integrate your favorite productivity apps like WhatsApp, Slack, and Google Calendar directly into the sidebars. This allows you to chat with teammates or check your schedule without ever leaving your inbox. It is built specifically for Windows users who need a centralized hub for professional communication and personal task management, offering both personal and business-focused licenses.
Overview
f.lux Features
- Adaptive Color Tones Automatically transition your screen from cool daylight tones to warm indoor colors as the sun sets in your specific location.
- Location-Based Timing Enter your coordinates or zip code so the software can precisely calculate sunrise and sunset times for your exact area.
- Custom Color Profiles Choose from various presets like 'Reduce Eyestrain' or 'Classic f.lux' to find the exact warmth level that feels best for you.
- Movie Mode Preserve colors and shadow detail while watching films with a specialized setting that maintains a balanced look for media.
- Darkroom Mode Turn your entire screen red and black to preserve your night vision and eliminate blue light entirely in dark environments.
- Smart Lighting Control Connect your smart home bulbs to the software to synchronize your entire room's lighting with your computer screen's color.
Mailbird Features
- Unified Inbox. Manage all your email accounts in one place with a single view that combines every incoming message for faster processing.
- App Integrations. Connect tools like WhatsApp, Slack, and Dropbox directly to your sidebar to handle all your communications in one window.
- Customizable Layouts. Adjust the interface to your liking with various color themes and layout options that fit your specific visual preferences.
- Speed Reader. Power through your emails in record time by viewing text one word at a time at your preferred reading speed.
- Attachment Search. Find any document or image instantly with a dedicated attachment search tool that scans across all your connected accounts.
- Snooze Emails. Hide non-urgent messages and set them to reappear in your inbox exactly when you are ready to deal with them.
Pricing Comparison
f.lux Pricing
- Full automated color shifting
- Location-based transitions
- Customizable color presets
- Movie and Darkroom modes
- Smart bulb integration
- Everything in Personal, plus:
- Legal use for organizations
- Support for the developers
- One-time payment options
- Volume licensing available
Mailbird Pricing
- Unlimited email accounts
- Unified inbox
- Basic app integrations
- Email snoozing
- Customizable themes
- Standard support
- Everything in Standard, plus:
- Priority support
- Advanced app integrations
- Speed reader tool
- Attachment search
- Commercial use license
Pros & Cons
f.lux
Pros
- Completely free for personal use
- Extremely lightweight on system resources
- Significant reduction in late-night eye strain
- Set-it-and-forget-it automation works reliably
Cons
- Can interfere with color-accurate design work
- Occasional flickering during transition periods
- Interface feels slightly dated compared to modern apps
Mailbird
Pros
- Clean and modern interface is easy to navigate
- Unified inbox simplifies managing multiple accounts
- Sidebar integrations reduce the need for browser tabs
- Setup process is quick and mostly automated
Cons
- Only available for Windows users currently
- Free trial period is very short
- Search functionality can be slow with large inboxes