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GMvault
What it is
GMvault is a free, open-source command-line tool for backing up Gmail and restoring a local email repository to a Gmail account. It supports full synchronization and incremental quick synchronization. Binary installations are documented for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X; installation from source is also documented through Python, pip or easy_install. XOAuth is the recommended sign-in method and is enabled by default. After initial authentication, its token is kept in $HOME/.gmvault for later use. Users can instead authenticate with a Gmail login password; if they choose to save it, the password is encrypted. By default, email is stored locally in $HOME/gmvault-db, or %HOME%/gmvault-db on Windows. Restore operations offer --resume and --restart options, so emails already processed need not be uploaded again. The project is licensed under GNU-AGPL-3.0 and identifies Guillaume Aubert as its development lead and creator. PyPI lists version 1.9.1 as the latest release, published March 31, 2016. Its documented scope centers on Gmail backup and restoration rather than other email providers.
For and against
For
- Supports full and incremental synchronization.
- Restores a local repository to Gmail.
- Restore options can skip already processed emails.
- Available for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X.
Against
- Supports Gmail only.
- PyPI lists version 1.9.1 from March 31, 2016.
- It is a command-line tool.
The verdict
GMvault offers Gmail backup and restoration with options for incremental sync and resuming restores. Its listed release is dated 2016, and its provider scope is limited to Gmail.
Who it suits
GMvault suits Gmail users who want a local email backup and a way to restore it to Gmail. It is aimed at people comfortable using a command line.
Plans and prices
Gmvault
open source · GNU Affero General Public License v3
Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Authentication
- XOAuth is the recommended authentication method and is enabled by default.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Installation
- Users can install from source with python setup.py install or through pip and easy_install.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Interface
- Gmvault is a user-friendly command-line tool.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- License
- Gmvault is open source and licensed under GNU-AGPL-3.0.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Local storage
- Emails are stored by default in $HOME/gmvault-db, or %HOME%/gmvault-db on Windows.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Maintainer
- The project identifies Guillaume Aubert as its development lead and creator.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Operating systems
- The project documents binary installations for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Package scope
- PyPI classifies Gmvault for Gmail, email backup, Gmail backup, and IMAP.pypi.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Password handling
- Users can authenticate with a Gmail login password, which is encrypted if they choose to save it.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Gmvault backs up Gmail accounts so users do not lose email correspondence.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Recovery
- Restore operations support --resume and --restart options so already processed emails do not need to be uploaded again.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Release
- PyPI lists version 1.9.1 as the latest release, published March 31, 2016.pypi.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Restore
- The tool restores a local email repository into a Gmail account.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Sync modes
- Gmvault supports full synchronization and incremental quick synchronization.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Token storage
- After first authentication, the XOAuth token is stored in $HOME/.gmvault for later use.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
