Skip to content
ToolGPA

Apple Mail alternatives · Email

Alternatives to Apple Mail with a one-time purchase

The Apple Mail listing shows no one-time purchase. 5 of the 51 other email apps in this directory can be bought with a one-time purchase.

Apple Mail has a free plan. Paid plans start at $0.99 per month (iCloud+ with 50 GB). All of them are free or have a free plan.

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

How each one differs from Apple Mail

  1. 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.
    Airmail vs Apple MailAirmail pricing and details

  2. Canary Mail

    AI email client with PGP encryption for Mac, iOS, Windows, Android

    • Canary Mail starts at $36 per year (Growth), shown as $3 per month billed yearly. Apple Mail starts at $0.99 per month (iCloud+ with 50 GB).
    • Only Canary Mail lists Windows and Android apps.
    • Only Apple Mail lists a web app.
    • Canary Mail is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    Canary Mail pricing and details

  3. eM Client

    Desktop email client for Windows and Mac with calendar and chat

    • eM Client starts at $39.95 per year (Personal subscription, up to 3 devices). Apple Mail starts at $0.99 per month (iCloud+ with 50 GB).
    • Only eM Client lists Windows and Android apps.
    • Only Apple Mail lists a web app.
    • eM Client can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    eM Client pricing and details

  4. Mailbird

    Desktop email client for Windows and Mac with a unified inbox

    • Mailbird starts at $34.49 per year (Premium Yearly Plan, US Mac App Store in-app price). Apple Mail starts at $0.99 per month (iCloud+ with 50 GB).
    • Only Mailbird lists a Windows app.
    • Only Apple Mail lists a web app.
    • Only Apple Mail lists an iOS app.
    Mailbird pricing and details

  5. FairEmail

    Open source, privacy-oriented email client for Android

    • FairEmail starts at $7.49 one-time (pro features, US Google Play in-app purchase). Apple Mail starts at $0.99 per month (iCloud+ with 50 GB).
    • Only FairEmail lists an Android app.
    • Only Apple Mail lists a web app.
    • Only Apple Mail lists iOS and macOS apps.
    FairEmail pricing and details

Common questions

Is there an alternative to Apple Mail that you buy once?

Yes. Airmail, Canary Mail, eM Client, Mailbird and FairEmail can be bought with a one-time purchase.

Can you buy Apple Mail once instead of subscribing?

The Apple Mail listing shows no one-time purchase. The listing was checked on Oct 5, 2026 against the pages it cites.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Apple Mail: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.