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Alternatives · Email

Apple Mail alternatives

Apple Mail compared with 9 alternatives: Spark Mail, Microsoft Outlook, Gmail, Mimestream, Thunderbird and 4 more.

Apple Mail has a free plan. Paid plans start at $0.99 per month (iCloud+ with 50 GB). 7 of the 9 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 2 more offer a free trial.

9 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
Apple MailThis toolFree plan · from $0.99/moYesWeb, macOS, iOS
Spark MailFree plan · from $8.25/moYesmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android
Microsoft OutlookFree plan · from $1.99/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
GmailFree plan · from $7/moYesWeb, iOS, Android
MimestreamFree trial · from $49.99/yrTrial onlymacOS
ThunderbirdFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux, Android
AirmailFree plan · from $7.99/moYesmacOS, iOS
MailMateFree trial · from $10/moTrial onlymacOS
MailspringFree plan · from $8/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux
MarcoFreeFreeWeb, macOS, iOS

How each one differs from Apple Mail

  1. Spark Mail

    Email client with a unified smart inbox, AI tools and team features

    • Spark Mail starts at $8.25 per user / month, billed annually ($99 / year). Apple Mail starts at $0.99 per month (iCloud+ with 50 GB).
    • Only Spark Mail lists Windows and Android apps.
    • Only Apple Mail lists a web app.
    • Spark Mail also covers meeting notes, templates, calendar and shared inbox.
    • Apple Mail also covers inbox filtering.

    Suits: People juggling several email accounts across desktop and phone

    Spark Mail vs Apple MailSpark Mail pricing and details

  2. Microsoft Outlook

    Microsoft's email and calendar app for desktop, mobile and web

    • Microsoft Outlook starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Basic). Apple Mail starts at $0.99 per month (iCloud+ with 50 GB).
    • Only Microsoft Outlook lists Windows and Android apps.
    • Microsoft Outlook also covers tasks and calendar.

    Suits: People who want mail, calendar and contacts from several accounts in one app

    Microsoft Outlook vs Apple MailMicrosoft Outlook pricing and details

  3. Gmail

    Google's email service, free for personal use with 15 GB of storage

    • Gmail starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter). Apple Mail starts at $0.99 per month (iCloud+ with 50 GB).
    • Only Gmail lists an Android app.
    • Only Apple Mail lists a macOS app.

    Suits: Anyone who wants a free personal address with 15 GB of shared storage

    Gmail vs Apple MailGmail pricing and details

  4. Mimestream

    Native Mac email client built on the Gmail API

    • Mimestream starts at $49.99 per year, or $4.99 billed monthly. Apple Mail starts at $0.99 per month (iCloud+ with 50 GB).
    • Apple Mail has a free plan. Mimestream does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Apple Mail lists a web app.
    • Only Apple Mail lists an iOS app.
    • Mimestream also covers Markdown and templates.

    Suits: Mac users whose email lives in Gmail or Google Workspace

    Mimestream vs Apple MailMimestream pricing and details

  5. Thunderbird

    Free, open-source email app for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android

    • Thunderbird is free. Apple Mail starts at $0.99 per month (iCloud+ with 50 GB).
    • Only Thunderbird lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only Apple Mail lists a web app.
    • Only Apple Mail lists an iOS app.
    • Thunderbird is open source, according to its own site.

    Suits: People who want a free desktop email app without ads

    Thunderbird vs Apple MailThunderbird pricing and details

  6. Airmail

    Customizable email client for iPhone, iPad and Mac

    • Airmail starts at $7.99 per month, or $39.99 per year (US App Store in-app prices). Apple Mail starts at $0.99 per month (iCloud+ with 50 GB).
    • Only Apple Mail lists a web app.
    • Airmail can be bought with a one-time purchase.

    Suits: Apple users who want to tailor swipes, actions and layout in their email app

    Airmail vs Apple MailAirmail pricing and details

  7. MailMate

    Keyboard-driven IMAP email client for macOS with Markdown composing

    • MailMate starts at $10 every 3 months (local-currency equivalent plus any VAT). Apple Mail starts at $0.99 per month (iCloud+ with 50 GB).
    • Apple Mail has a free plan. MailMate does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Apple Mail lists a web app.
    • Only Apple Mail lists an iOS app.
    • MailMate also covers Markdown.

    Suits: Mac users who prefer writing email in plain text or Markdown

    MailMate vs Apple MailMailMate pricing and details

  8. Mailspring

    Open-source desktop email client for Mac, Windows and Linux

    • Mailspring starts at $8 per month, or $85 per year (Mailspring Pro). Apple Mail starts at $0.99 per month (iCloud+ with 50 GB).
    • Only Mailspring lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • Only Apple Mail lists a web app.
    • Only Apple Mail lists an iOS app.
    • Mailspring is open source, according to its own site.

    Suits: Linux users who want a modern desktop email client

    Mailspring vs Apple MailMailspring pricing and details

  9. Marco

    Free, offline-first email client for Mac, iPhone and web

    • Marco is free. Apple Mail starts at $0.99 per month (iCloud+ with 50 GB).
    • Apple Mail also covers inbox filtering.

    Suits: People who want an email client without AI writing features

    Marco vs Apple MailMarco pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Apple Mail

  • The app is listed only for Apple devices. Elsewhere, iCloud Mail is reached in a browser at iCloud.com, which Apple describes for iCloud Mail accounts, or in Outlook on Windows.
  • iCloud Mail counts against iCloud storage, 5 GB on the free tier. When it runs out, the iCloud address stops receiving new mail until space is freed or bought.
  • Hide My Email and Custom Email Domain need iCloud+, and Apple notes that Custom Email Domain is not available in all countries or regions.
  • Priority Messages, summaries and Writing Tools depend on Apple Intelligence, which Apple labels a beta and limits to certain languages and regions.
Apple Mail pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Apple Mail?

The alternatives to Apple Mail in this directory are Spark Mail, Microsoft Outlook, Gmail, Mimestream, Thunderbird, Airmail, MailMate, Mailspring and Marco. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Apple Mail.

Is there a free alternative to Apple Mail?

Yes. Thunderbird and Marco are free to use. Spark Mail, Microsoft Outlook, Gmail, Airmail and Mailspring have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Apple Mail alternatives work on Windows?

The Apple Mail listing does not include a Windows app. Spark Mail, Microsoft Outlook, Thunderbird and Mailspring list one.

Which Apple Mail alternatives work on Linux?

The Apple Mail listing does not include a Linux app. Thunderbird and Mailspring list one.

Is there an open-source alternative to Apple Mail?

Thunderbird and Mailspring are described as open source on their own sites.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

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