Nuncio vs Web Gmail
Gmail is convenient because Google hosts everything and pays for it with ads and data collection. We're building Nuncio as a free, open, local-first alternative: your mail synced to a store you own, with no ad model behind it.
Nuncio is pre-alpha. Rows below marked Planned are architecture we are actively building, not something you can use yet — see the roadmap for status.
Web Gmailpricing is approximate — pricing as of 2026; check the vendor's site for current rates.
Local Data, Not Cloud-Hosted
Synced mail lives in a local SQLite store owned by a daemon you run, instead of a copy that only exists on Google's servers.
No Ad Model, Full Stop
Nuncio's engine has no advertising business model and nothing scanning your mail for ad targeting. Inspect the source to verify it.
Offline-Capable Search
SQLite FTS5 indexes synced mail locally, so search keeps working without an active connection to Google's servers.
A Governed AI Gateway
An MCP client is planned to let AI agents work with your mail through capability policies and an audit trail, instead of Gmail's built-in AI features operating inside Google's own cloud.
Why We're Building It This Way
Gmail's convenience comes from running entirely on Google's infrastructure, funded by an ad-supported business model. Nuncio's design keeps synced mail in local SQLite, owned by a daemon you run, with full-text search that keeps working offline. IMAP/SMTP sync to Gmail (and any standard provider), local search, export, and the WORM audit ledger are real and buildable from source today; the AI-agent gateway, at-rest encryption, and live-firing NSQL rules are the next milestones.
Design & Architecture Matrix
Nuncio's target design against Web Gmail today — planned items are labeled, not claimed as shipped.
| Capability / Dimension | Nuncio | Web Gmail |
|---|---|---|
| Data Ownership | Local SQLite, daemon you run | Google cloud servers |
| Business Model | Free & open source, no ads | Ad-supported / Google One |
| Offline Search Capability | SQLite FTS5, works offline | Requires an active connection |
| Build & Run From Source | Yes | No |
| Terminal TUI Interface | Planned | No |
| AI Agent Access (MCP) | Planned | No |
| WORM Audit Ledger | Yes | No |
| NSQL Automation Engine | Author & dry-run test todayIn progress | Basic Gmail filters |
| At-Rest Body Encryption | Planned | Google-managed at rest |
| Portable Export (MBOX/EML/JSON) | Yes | Google Takeout |
Watch It Get Built, Don't Just Wait For It
Nuncio isn't installable by end users yet. It will be free and open source under MIT / Apache-2.0 — no account, no subscription, no lock-in vs Web Gmail's Ad-Supported / Google One Subscription.