At one time, communicating over long distances was simple and the U.S. Postal Service was our only real option for everyday message delivery. We'd write a letter, slap a stamp in the corner, and take a walk to the mailbox. Easy, but slow.

Today, communication is all about instant gratification. With the birth of email, we said good-bye to our friendly mail carriers, opting for the speed of the Internet to deliver newsletters, business inquiries, and personal letters. Even party invites are electronic, as are greeting cards and gift notices. Meanwhile, our mail carriers are left with bills and catalogs, while competing email clients provide ever more robust packages with utilities to manage even the most hectic communication lifestyles. Choosing one email package from the bunch can be tough, so we spent a week testing and reviewing the top five to find a range of features to suit nearly any need.