Mutt is a text-based MIME mail client. It was originally written by Michael Elkins. However, it is now managed by the Mutt development mailing list.

Initially, Mutt’s interface was based on ELM client. Subsequently, as development work progressed, features of PINE and MUSH were also incorporated into Mutt. The current version of Mutt looks like SLRN news client.

Mutt is highly configurable free software. Following are some of the features that
Mutt provides:
· Color support
· Message threading with full control of message headers while composing
· Compatible with multiple mailbox formats like, mbox, MMDF, MH, maildir etc.
· Supports POP3 and IMAP
· Customized with keybindings and macros
· Effective search feature with regular expression along with an internal pattern matching language
· Delivery Status Notification
· Attachments are included while composing mail as well from the command line
· Small, efficient and easy to install
· Can be translated into 20 other languages

There are a number of reasons that make people choosing Mutt over other mail clients. Mutt is small and efficient and works same as ELM. Mutt can open www browser with any URL provided in mail.

Mutt has become immensely popular because it is free and improving its quality and functionalities day by day.

Though Mutt works best on Unix operating system, it is also compatible with Windows operating system, provided Cygwin is installed.