Top Mac Email Apps for 2024: Ultimate Guide

Email is one of the most convenient ways to communicate in the modern world. According to a report by Statista, more than 306.4 billion emails are sent every day, and this number is expected to rise to 361.6 billion by 2024. If you're an exclusive Apple user, having the best email app for Mac will help you leverage this form of technology.

Just like any other modes of communication, there are some challenges with the current email apps that need to be resolved. Even though all Mac operating systems provide Apple Mail by default, it does not amicably meet the needs of many users. One of the main downsides is that it cannot distinguish important emails from the rest. The process of replying is also not as efficient as it should be.

Here, you'll find a comprehensive guide to help you find the best email app for Mac users. But before we look at the apps, let us look at the core aspects you should consider when evaluating Mac email apps.

Features to Consider When Choosing an Email Client App

User-Friendly Interface

The app interface should be user-friendly; that is, you should be able to navigate the various sections easily and read, respond, delete, mark, and move emails with ease. The best apps are devoid of clutter to help users find emails quickly and reply to them without breaking a sweat.

Security

How secure is the Mac email client app you use? A minor security breach could wreak havoc on your business and personal life if unauthorized persons access your emails.

The best email apps are hosted on secure dedicated servers, and all information is encrypted to guarantee the privacy and confidentiality of all users. They have also put in place additional features such as a two-step verification process that has to be completed every time you log in.

Confirm that the email app you intend to use has advanced security features and protocols before you start using it.

Integration with Other Apps and Platforms

Integration with additional apps can be as important as security, depending on your needs. You should be able to integrate the app with other applications on your computer, as well as platforms you use frequently.

Compatibility with other apps will enable you to work efficiently and save time you would have spent switching from one application to another to complete tasks.

Additional Features

Different Mac email alternatives have varying features and capabilities. It is imperative to evaluate the features before making the final decision to get the utmost value. If you have multiple accounts, the app should allow you to easily and seamlessly switch from one account to another without having to log out.

The app should also have additional features, such as spam filters to cushion you from phishing emails and scammers. More importantly, it should have features that allow you to collaborate with colleagues or team members in real time without compromising security and functionality.

The point is, you should look at the features the app offers and how they will be beneficial to you before downloading and paying for it (if it's a premium app). Check out this guide for more tips on how to choose the best email client for your business.

Top 17 Email Apps to Boost Your Experience on Mac

Let us now shift gears and look at the best email apps for Mac users.

1: Apple Mail

Apple Mail is a free email app that comes with all versions of the Mac operating system, iOS, and watchOS.

Notable features:

• One of the pros of using this application is that it is very user-friendly, and all the information is stored in one area.
• If you have multiple accounts, such as Gmail, Yahoo, and Exchange, they will all be available in one interface. This aspect helps you to easily and efficiently find and respond to emails.
• Apple Mail has countless useful features, such as spam filters, photos, PDF annotation, Exchange account support, and random signatures.
• You can create special rules to help you work more efficiently. For example, you can assign VIP status to specific contacts so all their emails are added to the VIP mailbox automatically, thereby ensuring you never miss any.
• You can also integrate it with Spotlight to find emails faster.

Any cons? Even though it works well on mobile devices, the developers have done little to make it more retrofit for modern users. Over the last couple of years, very few features have been added to make it more efficient and rival other apps. Consider integrating it with other apps, such as Mail Act-On and Mailbutler, to get more utility from it. Meanwhile, for users looking for an apple mail client for windows, Mailbird could be the only choice.

2: Gmail

Gmail is a free web email app that takes pride in having 28% of the global email service market share.

Notable features:

• One of the highlights is that it stacks and organizes emails into threads to ensure you never miss any response.
• Like most top-rated Mac email clients, all related emails based on the subject line are also presented in a vertical thread to save you time you would have spent looking for a particular email sent weeks ago.
• Gmail takes security very seriously and has put in place robust malware and virus detection systems that scan all emails. The anti-malware software is updated regularly and works in the background. You will get a notification whenever a suspicious file in an email is detected.
• With more than 10 GB storage capacity and 25 MB per email capacity, there is absolutely nothing you cannot do with this email app. Gmail also has a portal for file storage, blogging, YouTube access, photo hosting, calendaring, and more.

Any cons? The main downside is that it does not have a printing function and does not allow users to toggle between different accounts. Another inconvenience is that the email app is made for its own email service and doesn't support any providers other than Gmail itself.

3: Spark

Spark is listed in many ratings as the best Mac email client, and it is free for individuals, as well as small teams working on projects together.

Notable features:

• It works perfectly with email services such as GMX, Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, iCloud, and Exchange.
• With Spark for Mac, you can easily sort incoming emails into different categories, such as Newsletters, Personal Email, and Notifications.
• The sorting capability is meant to help you give priority to the important emails first.
• You can also snooze some emails, set follow-up reminders, send later, and integrate with other third-party apps such as OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox.

Another awesome feature is the Smart Notifications that only alert you when an important email lands in your inbox.

Any cons? The basic version is great, but for additional features, it is recommended to try the paid plans that are charged monthly. As a premium user, you will enjoy more storage space, enhanced link sharing, better collaboration, and control in Spark for teams.

Unfortunately, it is not compatible with Windows — not good news for users who switch regularly between the operating systems. But the team is in the process of creating a custom Spark app for Windows.

4: Polymail

Polymail is considered one of the best email clients for start-ups and small teams working on projects. It is specifically tailored for Apple and Mac users, but the company has hinted about creating a Windows version.

Notable features:

• One of the features that gives it an upper hand is the read receipts to inform you if the recipient has received and opened your email, downloaded the attachments, or clicked on the links in the email body.
• It also has an "Undo send" button you can leverage to cancel an email before it lands in the recipient's inbox.
• Follow-up reminders are also great, as they help you communicate more efficiently with clients. Set it to send a reminder if recipient X does not respond within a given period.
• You can also integrate it with LinkedIn and social media platforms to put a face on the emails, especially when sending cold-pitch emails. Currently, this app is available for only $10 per user/month.

Any cons? There have been many complaints about synchronization challenges, based on user reviews. The Polymail team needs to work on this issue to make it the best email app for Mac users.

5: Newton Mail

Newton Mail is an ideal application for both new and pro email users. One of the aspects that place it ahead of the curve is its minimalist user interface that is devoid of clutter to help you focus only on what's important.

Notable features:

• This email client is compatible with all email services. You can use it to access and manage multiple accounts, such as Hotmail, Outlook, Yahoo, iCloud, Gmail, Exchange and many more, at the same time.
• You can create labels and tag emails to each of them for easier access and improved inbox organization.
• If you receive an email that is not urgent or that you don't want to respond to immediately, you can snooze it to disappear from the inbox and reappear at a given date or time.
• You can also save important emails to your productivity/team collaboration apps, such as Todoist and Evernote.
• Also, you can integrate the Calendar into the app without closing it to create events based on the contents of an email seamlessly.
• The read receipts will help you to know if the recipient has read your email, and you can change the settings to receive receipts for all or specific emails.

Any cons? There's not much bad to say about this email client. The only deciding factor might be the cost, as it is priced at $49.99 per year.

6: Mailspring

Mailspring is a free email app with a premium version that goes for $8 per month. Every email is indexed to help you leverage the advanced search feature to look up emails from any of the inboxes easily.

Notable features:

• You can impress your clients and other contacts by creating a signature with your photo and details. This signature will be automatically added to every email you send out.
• Your multiple email accounts, such as Outlook, Yahoo, Office 365, Gmail, iCloud, and even IMAP/SMTP, are housed in one inbox to save time.
• If you happen to receive an email written in a language you are not conversant in, Mailspring will translate it for you in seconds. At the moment, the supported languages are Russian, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, and English.

Any cons? Despite the large set of features, one downside is that updates are not regular, and it often takes days for bugs to be fixed. The user interface is also limited.

7: Thunderbird

Thunderbird is a veteran email client, and it's 100% free to all users. It allows you to access and manage multiple email accounts from one inbox. Unlike other email apps, this one allows you to back up emails on your computer and in any folder or location.

Notable features:

• You can use it with email providers like Microsoft, Yahoo, and Google, and the process of adding the accounts is utterly easy.
• By integrating it with Google Calendar, you can set up meetings and appointments on the app in seconds.
• When sending large files, you can share a link instead of attaching the file to the email.
• Thunderbird also offers good protection against malware and phishing attempts.

Any cons? It is no longer supported by Mozilla and relies solely on volunteer contributions. Therefore, if any bugs occur, it might take a long time before someone fixes it.

8: Airmail

Airmail is a convenient and flexible email client for Mac users. Compared to Apple Mail, Airmail is more user-friendly, compatible with many services and apps, manages Gmail accounts better, and has a more powerful search feature.

Notable features:

• You can snooze emails you don't want or have to respond to immediately, or set them as a memo or task.
• Some of the email accounts you can manage include Yahoo, Outlook, Google, iCloud, AOL, and Exchange.
• Also, you can add email accounts that have either POP3 or IMAP access.

Any cons? The downside is that the user interface looks messy, even though it is customizable. You will also need to pay $2.99 per month to access additional features, such as more storage space.

9: Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook is a popular cross platform app that is free. There's also a paid version with business functionality and plans starting at $5/month.

Notable features:

• It comes with additional applications that are meant to make it more convenient and useful, such as the in-built Calendar and voice-controlled navigation to help you work more efficiently.
• Once you subscribe to Microsoft 365, you will be granted access to Microsoft Word, Excel, OneDrive, OneNote, PowerPoint, and other useful applications.

Any cons? Unfortunately, the cost makes Outlook for Mac inaccessible to most users who are on a tight budget. The user interface is also not well organized.

10: Mailplane

Mailplane is a premium email client for Mac users that is currently priced at $30.

Notable features:

• You can integrate it with major applications like Zoom, Evernote, Clearbit, Boomerang, Gmail, Mac OS X, and Todoist.
• If you are familiar with Gmail, you will realize the interface is similar and easy to use.
• You can also leverage other Google features, such as Google Contacts and Google Calendar, on the app.

Any cons? The only downside is that it only works with Gmail email accounts.

11: MailMate

MailMate is a keyboard-centric application specifically tailored for Mac users.

Notable features:

• By choosing this popular email client app, you will be able to not only read but also reply, tag, and move emails from one mailbox to another using simple keyboard shortcuts.
• Finding emails is easy using the advanced MailMate search tool.
• The text-rich approach makes it very functional to both individuals and businesses that rely on email as the main mode of communication.

Any cons? The MailMate single-user license is currently priced at $49.99. More needs to be done to make the user interface more appealing and intuitive for that price. Not much effort was put into designing the interface.

12: Canary Mail

Canary Mail is a fast email client app and a deserving Mac mail alternative. It is currently compatible with all Apple devices, and soon an Android version will be launched. Some of the accounts you can add and manage using this app include Gmail, Outlook, Office 365, iCloud, and Exchange.

Notable feature:

• The smart inbox allows you to organize your emails based on their relevance and priority.
• You can mark emails from a specific client as "important" in just two clicks.
• The Contact and Calendar apps on your desktop can also be integrated with Canary Mail.
• Read receipts, a customer-oriented user interface, and the Dark Mode theme are other features that make this email client app unique and functional.
• End-to-end encryption of all messages guarantees security and privacy.

Any cons? Unfortunately, it lacks the team collaboration features that businesses and teams need to communicate and collaborate on projects easily.

13: Hey

Hey is an email client app priced at $99 per year. Privacy is given top priority with special security features that block spy trackers.

Notable features:

• It supports different workflows for different purposes and emails.
• You can also use the security features to validate the information of the sender before allowing an email to land in your inbox.
• The "imbox" folder houses all the essential emails to make you more productive and efficient in your processes.

Any cons? The downside is that you cannot access multiple email accounts at the same time. Compared to the other apps we discussed, the design and functionality are a bit complicated, especially for users who are not tech-savvy.

14: Bluemail

Bluemail is a free email client for new users who are looking for a functional and straightforward email client app. It is compatible with not only Apple but also Windows and Android operating systems. You can use it to manage multiple email accounts from different providers.

Notable features:

• Smart push notifications ensure that you never fail to read an email.
• You can send emails to your team without having to insert their names.
• You can also organize emails by services, clusters, groups, and people to avoid wastage of time.

Any cons? The downside is that it does not have calendar integration, a delayed send option, or a snooze feature. Nonetheless, it is a great tool you can use to manage your emails smarter.

15: Kiwi for Gmail

If you love Gmail, Kiwi will suit you best as you work on maintaining good communication with colleagues and clients. This desktop app has a user-friendly design that allows you to monitor multiple Gmail accounts seamlessly.

Notable features:

• The filtering option is great, as it allows you to find and organize emails based on the contents, priority, date, attachments, tags, and more.
• Another highlight of Kiwi for Gmail is that it allows users to access and use Google Suite applications, such as Google Drive, Google Sheets, and Google Docs, right on the app — that is, you don't have to open the browser to access them.

Any cons? The monthly package is $29.99, and you can only add up to six different Gmail accounts.

16: Spike

Spike is similar to other messaging applications, such as Facebook Messenger and iMessage, but it now has additional features to support email.

Notable features:

• It comes with a priority inbox that houses all your important/priority emails that need to be addressed first while the other emails take a back seat.
• If you work as a group, you can use the Groups feature to blast out emails to the members and reply privately. All you need to do is create a group and invite the members.
• To help you remain focused on what's important, it does away with the signature, headers, and other features that add little value to the email.
• You can customize the emails using rich text, synchronize files, and add links, comments, and notes.
• To make the deal even better, you can create a to-do list for your team using the Task function.

You can enjoy Spike for only $5.99 per user/month.

17: Postbox

Postbox is an email client that is also worth a slot as one of the best email apps for Mac users. The sleek design is better than Apple Mail and is compatible with a plethora of third-party applications, just like Airmail and Spark.

Notable features:

• Using the search feature, you can easily find emails based on the contents, subject line, address, and even tags.
• The Account Groups feature is also great, as it enables you to combine and manage multiple email accounts from the same mailbox.
• Emails that are not a priority or important can be hidden by using the Focus Mode feature.
• Depending on your business and operations, you can create custom unified inboxes for each department, project, or task.
• You can also post email contents to collaborative apps such as Trello, Dropbox, and even on social media platforms such as Instagram.

Try Postbox by leveraging the 30-day free trial, or pay $40 per month.

Have You Chosen Your Very Own Mac Email Client?

With the many options available, deciding on the best email app for Mac can be a complicated and time-consuming task. The above guide will point you in the right direction, but make sure you take your needs and budget into consideration. Ideally, it would be best if you went for an email client that has a good balance of features and is functional, secure, user-friendly, and affordable.

And if you wonder why you have found this Mac email client review on Mailbird's blog — Mailbird is one of the best gmail app for Windows 11, and we're looking to scale our support to Mac users.