Let’s be honest: Apple Mail isn’t the best email client for Mac users. Apart from the great UI, there’s nothing special about Apple Mail. Our team has been debating about the best email client for Mac users, so we decided to write a guide for all the like-minded users out there.
So, if you’re a frustrated Apple Mail user, this guide is for you. Here’s our pick of the top 7 email clients for Mac users.
7 Top-Rated Email Clients for Mac
I’m sure this isn’t the first time you’re sitting down and exploring email clients for Mac. It’s because there just aren’t that many great options out there.
But, we’ve managed to come up with a list of the best options out there. Let’s get started:
1. Spark – Great for Sorting & Communication Options
Spark feels a lot like Apple Mail. It’s compatible with any IMAP or POP3 email client. But in terms of features, Spark has the Apple Mail beat.
The best thing about Spark is how it organizes email. It uses a feature called “Spark’s Smart Inbox,” which sorts your email based on email content. So, it saves your personal emails from being mixed with newsletters, promotions, updates, and other types of emails.
So if you want a no-nonsense, clutter-free email dashboard, Spark makes it happen for you. There’s a Gatekeeper feature that prevents unknown or suspicious senders from sending you an email.
Spark is also great for team collaborations. It offers collaboration features like – private in-line comments, shared emails, advanced email collaboration, a real-time editor, and a side chat option.
| Spark Pros | Spark Cons |
| Makes it easy to sort emails | Free version comes with limited features |
| Prevents unknown senders from sending emails | Limited app integrations |
| Great for team collaborations |
2. Microsoft Outlook – Best for Professionals
Microsoft Outlook is another great email client for Mac. It works seamlessly with any IMAP or POP3 email account and is great for professionals.
Outlook is used by millions of teams globally because of the functionalities it has to offer. Some of the most notable features include advanced search functions, setting filters, and programmable automation rules.
Microsoft Outlook is designed to boost productivity and work efficiency. Plus, it allows users to customize the look and features of the email client.
| Outlook Pros | Outlook Cons |
| 100% compatible with MS Office | Slightly cluttered UI compared to Apple Mail |
| Multiple customization options | Limited features on the free version |
| Advanced search and filtering | |
| Automate inbox tasks | |
| Free for Max users |
3. Airmail – Gmail-esque Email Client for Mac
Airmail is another GREAT mail client for Mac users. It works seamlessly with iCloud, MS Exchange, Gmail, Google Apps, IMAP, POP3, Yahoo!, AOL, Outlook, and Live.com. Airmail is designed to give you the best possible performance.
Airmail has some unique features that rolled out recently such as – quick reply messages, advanced search functionality, and app integrations.
If you’re a Gmail user switching to a new mail client, then you should know that Airmail supports all Gmail shortcut keys. You can also set custom automation rules so it helps you sort emails quicker.
| Airmail Pros | Airmail Cons |
| Unified inbox | Not completely free |
| AI composer | |
| Keyboard shortcuts and multi-touch gestures | |
| Can program automation rules |
4. Edison Mail – Best for Cleaning Spam
Edison Mail is also a good email client for Mac as it offers a unified inbox and keeps your inbox fairly spam-free. The client works seamlessly with any email account, and it’s free to download & use.
The standout feature of Edison Mail is the “Focused” inbox. It lets you separate your important messages from spam, subscriptions, promotions, and other similar messages. You can also pin important messages if they’re really important.
Some other features make Edison Mail stand out:
| Edison Mail Pros | Edison Mail Cons |
| Focused inbox for increased productivity | Can’t unsend messages |
| Unsubscribe and block features | Limited app integrations |
| Options to snooze and pin messages | |
| Completely free |
5. Canary Mail – Best for Security
If you’re extremely cautious about security, then Canary Mail is a great option. It comes equipped with end-to-end encryption that takes just one click to use but billions of years to break.
If you’re an advanced PGP user, you can even manage your keys and exchange encrypted emails with users who don’t use Canary Mail.
Canary Mail also offers other features to keep your productivity at an all-time high. With Smart Filters, you can segregate unread emails or find emails with unopened attachments. It also offers Natural Language Search which makes it possible to find emails with simple text instructions.
| Canary Mail Pros | Canary Mail Cons |
| End-to-end encryption | Can’t unsend messages |
| Smart filters to isolate messages | Very few app integrations |
| Natural language search | Not free |
| AI for replies |
6. Mimestream – Offering Gmail Like Experience
Mimestream is fairly new, but it’s still full of rich features such as labels, server-side filters, and Gmail-type search to unique elements like markdown substitutions and macOS Focus Filters integration.
Some other features that may push you towards Mimestream include – dark mode, push notifications, advanced keyboard shortcuts, and more. Mimestream runs on the Gmail API instead of IMAP protocol, so it’s able to deliver a feature-rich experience.
| Mimestream Pros: | Mimestream Cons: |
| Designed for Mac users | Pricing is subscription-based which may put off some users |
| Feature-rich experience | More suited to Gmail users |
| Multiple account support | |
| Unified inbox |
7. Apple Mail
And of course, Apple Mail. We get it, not everyone wants the bells and whistles, endless customization options, personalization features, and more. Apple Mail does everything an email client should be able to do without any problem.
Apple Mail is easy to set up, has a super easy UI, and works with most IMAP and POP3 email clients. With Apple Mail, you can choose to view your emails separately or see all your messages at the same time with unified inbox.
| Apple Mail Pros | Apple Mail Cons |
| Perfectly suited for Mac devices | Basic search features |
| Easy to use | No advanced features |
| Custom notifications with MacOS | Limited app integrations |
| Users can unsend messages |
