12 Best Email Apps for Mac in 2025

In recent years, with the spread of chat apps such as LINE and Slack, email seems to be used less frequently. However, it still remains an essential means of communication in the workplace.

On Mac, the "Mail" app comes preinstalled, but many other email applications for Mac are also available.

We hope this article helps you find the email app that best suits your needs.

Table of Contents

1. Free but Reliable Mac Email Apps
   1. Apple Mail
   2. Spark by Readdle
   3. eM Client
   4. Mailspring
   5. Spike
   6. Thunderbird
   7. BlueMail
   8. Canary Mail
2. Mac Email Apps with Free Trials
   1. Airmail
   2. Polymail
   3. MIMESTREAM
   4. Kiwi for Gmail
3. Excluded Email Apps
   1. Microsoft Outlook
   2. MailMate
   3. Unibox
   4. Mail Pilot (Beta / Pre-release)
   5. DejaLu (Beta / Pre-release)
4. Discontinued Email Apps
   1. Postbox
   2. Newton Mail
   3. Mailplane
   4. TEMPO
5. Conclusion

Free but Reliable Mac Email Apps

There are several Mac email apps that are sufficiently functional even at no cost. It is always preferable when expenses can be avoided.

Apple Mail

https://support.apple.com/en-us/guide/mail/welcome/mac

The Mail app that comes preinstalled on Mac.

It does not include features such as reminders or scheduled sending, but both the functions and the user interface are simple and lightweight. The Smart Mailbox feature, which allows you to create customized mail lists by setting conditions, is very convenient. The black-based dark mode screen introduced with macOS Mojave is also visually appealing.

It may come down to personal preference, but it is unfortunate that the template feature, known as "Stationery," was removed starting with macOS Mojave.

Spark by Readdle

https://sparkmailapp.com

Originally a popular free email app on Mac and iOS, Spark gained attention as an alternative after well-known apps like “Sparrow” and “Mailbox” were discontinued. In October 2022, a Windows version was also released.

Features include Smart Inbox for automatic sorting, swipe actions, calendar integration, reminders, scheduled sending, templates, and more. If you’re unsure which app to start with, Spark is a solid first choice.

The “Spark for Team” feature allows multiple users to collaborate on the same email or leave comments. This is available even on the free plan, with additional options in the paid tiers for individuals and teams.

eM Client

https://emclient.com

eM Client has recently become one of the most popular choices for Windows users. The free plan supports up to two accounts but is restricted to non-commercial use. Despite this limitation, the free version is more than enough for personal use. A Mac version was released in 2019.

It’s an all-in-one app with calendar, tasks, and chat built in. Its fast email search makes it especially useful. Overall, I recommend it over Outlook and Thunderbird.

Paid versions include “Personal” and “Business.” The Business version includes license management. Both plans are one-time purchases with no renewal fees, though major future upgrades require an additional payment unless you opt for the “Lifetime Upgrades” package.

Mailspring

https://getmailspring.com

Mailspring is a fork of the discontinued Nylas Mail (formerly Nylas N1). It’s a cross-platform, open-source app with a clean, lightweight design.

Mailspring Pro (paid) adds advanced features such as snooze, scheduled sending, email analytics, and read receipts.

Spike

https://www.spikenow.com

Spike turns email into a chat-like interface, resembling Slack or messenger apps. Headers and signatures are hidden, making it easier to focus on the main content. Important emails are also highlighted. It includes calendar, tasks, and notes features.

You can also create groups for team communication within Spike. Since most people already use other chat apps, switching entirely to Spike may be difficult. Still, if you often go back and forth with the same contacts, Spike can be very convenient.

Thunderbird

https://www.thunderbird.net

Thunderbird, developed by Mozilla, has been around since 2003. It supports multiple accounts, spam filtering, and more, all while remaining fast and reliable.

In July 2023, the app received a major UI update for a more modern look. Integration with Gmail and iCloud works smoothly, and it runs well on macOS. Best of all, it’s completely free and doesn’t show ads.

BlueMail

https://www.bluemail.me

BlueMail supports a wide range of platforms and includes most features for free. It allows you to merge multiple accounts into a single inbox. The app also includes a calendar and a unique Kanban-style “Read Later” feature.

Personally, I find the UI a little clunky and not as refined as other apps, but if you’re looking for a no-cost option, it’s worth a try.

Canary Mail

https://canarymail.io

Canary Mail is an email application focused on security and productivity. One of its key features is end-to-end encryption (with PGP support), enabling secure communication. In addition, it offers AI-powered intelligent inbox management and automatic sorting of important emails, helping users handle their email more efficiently.

The user interface is simple and intuitive, with support for multiple account integration and calendar synchronization. The paid plan provides more advanced encryption options and customization features, making it a suitable choice for users who want to prioritize privacy while improving work efficiency.

Mac Email Apps with Free Trials

The following apps are paid but include a free trial period so you can test them before committing.

Airmail

https://airmailapp.com

A well-known email app for Mac and iOS, alongside “Spark by Readdle.”

The UI is clean and visually appealing. Its smooth performance gives the impression of a true “Mac app.” Another nice feature is the ability to compose emails in Markdown.

On iPhone, the app can be used for free (with some feature limitations). On Mac, however, you are required to sign up for a three-day free trial when you first use the app. Once the trial ends, a paid subscription is required, and continued use as a free version is not possible. In the free version, features such as “Smart Folders” and “Custom Actions” are unavailable, and integration between Mac and iPhone/iPad is also disabled.

As for the official website, the lack of clearly listed pricing information and the use of outdated screenshots create a somewhat uneasy impression.

If you are looking for an email app that works not only on Mac but also on iPhone and iPad, Spark is the better choice since it can be used for free.

Polymail

https://polymail.io

Polymail is built for team productivity, offering shared inboxes and co-editing features. Personally, I don’t find the team tools particularly appealing, but being able to share directly to Slack and Asana is convenient. Out of all the apps I tested, I liked Polymail’s UI the best. At $10/month, it may be worth it even for personal use.

MIMESTREAM

https://mimestream.com

Development had been underway since 2019, and on May 22, 2023, it was officially released as “Mimestream v1.0.”

This is a Gmail client for Mac, and it does not support email addresses other than Gmail. It supports multiple accounts and includes features such as desktop notifications, labels, signatures, keyboard shortcuts, and tracking protection. An iPhone/iPad version is also reportedly in development.

While it does not introduce any groundbreaking features, the UI is simple and the performance is smooth. If you use Gmail exclusively, it is certainly worth trying.

Kiwi for Gmail

https://www.kiwiforgmail.com

Kiwi is a feature-rich Gmail client for Windows and Mac. It lets you access not only Gmail but also Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Calendar, and Drive directly.

Being able to create and edit Docs and Sheets within Kiwi is convenient, though the app feels heavier compared to others. A free plan was available in the past, but it appears to have been discontinued.

Excluded Email Apps

Here we introduce email applications that were not included as recommendations, taking into account factors such as functionality and availability.

Microsoft Outlook

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/outlook/email-and-calendar-software-microsoft-outlook

Microsoft Outlook is a comprehensive email application that is widely used around the world. In addition to sending and receiving emails, it offers features such as calendar, task management, and integrated contact management, making it suitable for both business and personal use. It also allows you to manage multiple accounts in one place and comes with powerful search capabilities and robust spam protection.

One of its major strengths is its high compatibility with Microsoft 365, enabling seamless integration with Word, Excel, Teams, and other services.

Many people may be using Outlook, but there are plenty of other email applications that are more convenient. I encourage you to try the ones introduced in this article.

MailMate

https://freron.com

When composing emails, only a plain text editor (with Markdown support) is available. Unlike the rich text editors found in typical email applications, there are no UI-based buttons for text formatting. However, this approach may be more convenient for those who regularly do coding. It is also possible to use an external text editor when composing emails.

Its strengths include a wide range of keyboard shortcuts and advanced search functionality. While the UI is simple, it cannot be described as modern, which may divide opinions. Personally, since the UI is not to my taste, I feel that at this price point, other email applications might be a better choice. A 30-day free trial is available.

Unibox

https://www.uniboxapp.com

This email application has a unique concept: instead of grouping messages by subject as is common, it organizes them by sender.

The Mac trial version (15 days) can be downloaded from the developer’s website rather than the App Store. On iOS, the free version adds “Sent by Unibox” when composing emails (removal requires upgrading to the paid version).

The official website has not been updated for years and is no longer accessible. Although it is still available for download from the App Store, we recommend considering other email applications.

Mail Pilot (Beta / Pre-release)

https://mailpilothq.com

I believe it was around 2018 when the beta version (public preview) of Mail Pilot 3 was released, and I remember actually installing it myself. Although it had not yet been officially released, pre-orders were being accepted at 50% off. (I did not purchase it.)

When I tried Mail Pilot, I found it to be an email application designed with a strong focus on efficient email management. It featured thoughtful functions such as reminders and customizable lists, all aimed at keeping the inbox organized.

However, the pre-order option that was once available on the website has since disappeared, and the blog has not been updated since 2020. I was looking forward to the official release, but it now seems unlikely to happen, which is disappointing.

DejaLu (Beta / Pre-release)

https://dejalu.me

An email application that is simple and minimal both in UI and functionality. The lack of features makes it feel fast and responsive, but it seems functionally insufficient for business use.

It has remained in beta for many years, so development may have been discontinued.

Discontinued Email Apps

The following email apps have unfortunately been discontinued.

Postbox

On October 22, 2024, it was announced that Postbox had been acquired by eM Clinet. Since I personally liked Postbox, this is a bit disappointing.

That said, eM Clinet is also introduced in this article, and it’s a highly recommended email app that I encourage you to try.

https://postbox-inc.com

You can organize multiple email accounts into custom groups and check all emails within each group in a single inbox. For me, this is extremely convenient. By grouping addresses for work, personal use, and so on, managing incoming messages becomes much more efficient. (I really wish other email apps would adopt this grouping feature as well.)

In addition, the ability to use placeholders in email templates—automatically inserting items such as dates or sender names—makes it very appealing in terms of functionality. That said, the app feels a bit sluggish when it comes to loading and searching emails.

Newton Mail

The service was discontinued on July 31, 2024.

https://newtonhq.com

Originally released as CloudMagic, it was renamed to Newton Mail in 2016 and gained attention for its fast search capabilities. After going through multiple shutdowns and relaunches, the service was finally discontinued on July 31, 2024.

Mailplane

On June 6, 2021, license sales for new users were discontinued. The application is now available only to existing users.

https://mailplaneapp.com

On June 6, 2021, license sales for new users were discontinued. The application is now available only to existing users.

TEMPO

On October 29, 2021, the project came to an end.

https://www.yourtempo.co

A clean UI that resembles a text editor. It may be well-suited for those who often write long emails. While both the appearance and functionality are simple, it also includes features such as reminders and composing emails with Markdown.

I found its concept interesting as it differs from other email applications, but I did not feel it was worth paying €10 per month.

Conclusion

As a result of trying out various email applications as described above, my recommended choice is Spark by Readdle. It can also be integrated with operating systems other than Mac and offers plenty of features even with the free plan.

eM Client is also recommended. Compared to other email applications, it loads and searches emails more quickly, and it can be used for free. If you like it, you may consider purchasing the paid plan for more advanced features.

Aside from the two above, I also liked Polymail, but considering speed, functionality, and cost, I find that Spark and eM Client, both of which can be used for free, are sufficient.

If any of the email applications introduced in this article catch your interest, I encourage you to give them a try.