Unlike other stock apps like Safari and Notes, Apple Mail for macOS hasn’t got major improvements for a long time. The email app not only lacks an intuitive interface but also some of the most essential features like “Scheduling” and “Smart inbox management”. Not to mention, it also doesn’t score well in terms of the integration with third-party productivity tools. All these shortcomings can force anyone to look for the best Apple Mail alternatives for Mac and iPhone. So, if you have decided to look beyond the stock email client for better email management, these are the top third-party email clients for macOS and iOS you should try out.
While some email clients put more emphasis on enhancing customization, others give more priority to offering detailed insights into emails. Not to mention, the email apps that solely focus on providing a simplified email management experience by getting rid of email clutter.
- Spark
- Microsoft Outlook
- Gmail
- Newton Mail
- Airmail
- Mailplane
- Canary Mail
- Polymail
- Kiwi for Gmail
- Postbox
1. Spark
Both in terms of smart email management and ease of use, Spark stands out as one of the best email clients across platforms. The email client features a neat user-interface and comes with an intelligent email sorting feature that keeps unwanted emails away and pops up important messages so that you can take a quick glance at them without having to dig into the inbox.
- Modern-looking user-interface
- Smart inbox management
- Built-in calendar
- Quick replies
- Integration with third-party apps
Cons:
Platform compatibility: macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android
Microsoft Outlook is a robust email client that checks off almost every essential box. So, it’s hard to look beyond this powerful offering from Microsoft, if you are willing to go for an all-in-one email app.
Cons:
- Freemium version is quite limited
- Requires some learning curve initially
Platform compatibility: macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, and web
Going by the sheer numbers, Gmail is by far the most popular email clients across platforms. And from what I can tell after using it for several years is that it lives up to the mark in most aspects. So, if you are on the lookout for a highly user-friendly Apple Mail substitute, you shouldn’t fail to check it out.
Based on your needs, you can organize all of your emails into different categories such as social, promotions, updates, and more, Thus, you can take a glance at the latest messages at a glance and respond quickly. In terms of email management, Gmail has a clear edge over Apple Mail.
Cons:
- Offers labels instead of folders
- Doesn’t offer a desktop app
- Can not use non Gmail email
Platform compatibility: iOS, Android, and web
If I were to pick an Apple Mail competitor purely based on a fast and snappier interface, Newton Mail would comfortably top the roundup. Apart from boasting a beautiful looking interface, the email client comes with a host of top-of-the-line features that let you manage emails just the way you want.
As compared to Apple Mail, Newton Mail has got a more efficient tool to tidy inbox that keeps the unwanted emails away. Hence, you can focus on the emails that matter and put the noise at bay. Thanks to the connection with several apps like Trello, OneNote, Asana, and Evernote, it allows you to carry out tasks like managing projects, taking notes, and collaborating with colleagues easy going.
Platform compatibility: macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android
Install: (14-day free trial, $49.99)
Airmail is designed to work seamlessly across iDevices including Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. So, if you are on the lookout for an email client that is optimized to work within the Apple ecosystem, you should give serious consideration to Airmail.
With the support for Gmail, GSuite, iCloud Mail, Exchange, Office 365, Microsoft Outlook, IMAP, and POP3, it has got you fully covered. As compared to Apple Mail, Airmail offers more flexibility to manage multiple accounts, and that too without having to run from one end to the other.
- Some custom actions don’t work reliably
- Not all the plugins work as expected
Platform compatibility: macOS, iOS, watchOS
Yet another Apple Mail alternative that promises to be the best email client for macOS. Having given a thorough look at what it has to offer, I must say that the email is fully equipped to be a safe bet.
As Mailplane also offers several keyboard shortcuts, it didn’t take much time to get into my good books. Additionally, Mailplane’s notifier keeps you in the loop about how many unread messages are in your inboxes, right from the menu bar. Whenever a new email arrives, you can archive it or respond to it right away.
Platform compatibility: macOS
Install: ($29.95 for personal license and $39.95 for Family License)
When it comes to offering simplified email management, Canary Mail has got the tools live up to the expectation. But what makes it a better choice is the ability to offer enhanced privacy to your personal information. So, if you want to move beyond Apple Mail but feel a bit concerned about the security of your data, this one can be worth having a go.
Pros:
Cons:
Platform compatibility: macOS, iOS, and Android
Polymail is what you should use to sort out all of your professional emails without having to break any sweat. Yeah, you read that! This Apple Mail substitute puts more emphasis on boosting productivity by keeping everything straightforward.
Features like email tracking, follow up reminders, and contact profiles save plenty of your time by letting you carry out the oft-repeated tasks faster. Thanks to the smart automation, it ensures you don’t have to spend much time dealing with repetitive manual tasks.
- Smart automation
- Excels in getting rid of email clutter
- Email tracking
- Contact profiles
Platform compatibility: macOS, Windows, iOS, and web
As the name itself suggests, Kiwi has been developed for those having multiple Gmail accounts and want to manage them faster and with more flexibility. If you are one of them, Kiwi for Gmail is for you.
- The use of plenty of Gmail plugins tend to slow down the app
Platform compatibility: macOS
Yet another Apple Mail rival that could be a favorite choice for professionals is Postbox. While this email client may not be as popular as some of its noted counterparts, it packs a solid punch when it comes to offering a neat email management experience.
As compared to Apple Mail, I have found Postbox way faster in terms of search. While the former seems quite slow in terms of offering precise search results, the latter seems to the point more often than not. Using the built-in Quick Bar, it’s pretty easy to move a message, copy a message, switch folders, or even tag a message.
Platform compatibility: macOS and Windows
Install: ($29.99/year)
So, that ends our article on the best alternatives to Apple Mail for Mac. Now that you have got the top email clients vying for attention, pick the one that seems to check off all of your needs.
