Eleven mail apps compared on what they cost, which accounts they support, what their AI does and where it runs. We make one of them, Dusk, so we've been careful to say where the others are the better choice.
Quick picks
- Free and simple: Apple Mail.
- Gmail, native, no AI needed: Mimestream.
- Fast, keyboard-first, with private AI, paid once: Dusk.
- Fast, keyboard-first, on every platform: Superhuman.
- Free, on every platform, lots of features: Spark.
- Outlook and Microsoft 365: Outlook.
- Free and open source: Thunderbird.
At a glance
| App | Price | Accounts | AI |
|---|
| Apple Mail | Free | Any | Apple Intelligence |
|---|
| Dusk | $49 once | Gmail, Workspace, iCloud | On your Mac, included |
|---|
| Mimestream | $49.99 a year | Gmail, Workspace | None |
|---|
| Superhuman | From $30 a month | Gmail, Workspace, Outlook | Cloud, included |
|---|
| Spark | Free, AI from $10 a month | Any | Cloud, paid plans |
|---|
| Shortwave | From $30 a month | Gmail first | Cloud, included |
|---|
| Airmail | Pro $49.99 a year | Any | Optional add-on |
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| Canary Mail | Free, paid from $36 a year | Any | Paid plans |
|---|
| MailMate | About $40 a year, or free mode | IMAP | None |
|---|
| Outlook | Free, more with Microsoft 365 | Any, best with Microsoft | Copilot, with Microsoft 365 |
|---|
| Thunderbird | Free | Any | None built in |
|---|
Prices are in US dollars as listed by each maker or their store in September 2026, and change often. Check before you buy.
What to look for
- Your accounts. Gmail-only apps like Mimestream use Gmail's own features well. Apps that support any account usually do it over IMAP, which works everywhere but can't do everything Gmail can.
- Native or not. Apps written for the Mac in Swift tend to be smaller, faster and feel more at home. Cross-platform apps give you the same app on your PC and phone.
- Where the AI runs. Most AI mail features send your messages to a server to be read by a model. Apple Intelligence in Apple Mail runs on the Mac or on Apple's Private Cloud Compute. Dusk uses only the model on your Mac. If your mail is confidential, this matters.
- How you pay. Most good mail apps are now subscriptions. A few, like Dusk, are paid once.
Apple Mail
FreeAny accountBuilt into macOS
It's already on your Mac, it's private, and it works with every account. Since macOS 26 it sorts mail into Primary, Transactions, Updates and Promotions, and Apple Intelligence can summarise emails and show priority messages.
Pick it if you want something free that just works. Skip it if you live in email and want to work from the keyboard, or want mail sorted by what you need to do rather than by type.
Dusk
$49 onceGmail, Google Workspace, iCloudmacOS 26
Our app. Dusk sorts every email by what you need to do (Important, Needs reply, Waiting, Newsletters) and writes a one-line summary under each one, using Apple's on-device model. It suggests replies in your style, shows whose turn it is in each thread, and is built around keys like J, K and E. Nothing goes to a Dusk server.
Pick it if you want Superhuman-style speed and AI without a subscription or a cloud reading your mail. Skip it if you use Outlook, need Windows or iPhone today, or your Mac can't run Apple Intelligence.
Mimestream
$49.99 a year or $4.99 a monthGmail and Google Workspace14-day trial
A native Mac app built only for Gmail, using Gmail's own API. Labels, categories, aliases, signatures and filters all work the way they do in Gmail. It's quick and polished, and it doesn't try to be an AI app.
Pick it if you use only Gmail and want it to feel like a proper Mac app. Skip it if you want AI sorting and summaries, or use iCloud.
Superhuman
Starter $30 a month or $300 a yearGmail, Workspace, OutlookMac, Windows, web, mobile
The app that made fast, keyboard-first email a category. Split inbox, AI summaries and replies, reminders and team features, on every platform. The AI runs in the cloud.
Pick it if you want the same fast app everywhere, or use Outlook. Skip it if the price or cloud AI bothers you. See Dusk vs Superhuman.
Spark
Free, Plus $10 a month, Pro $20 a monthAny accountMac, Windows, iPhone, Android
A capable free mail app with a smart inbox, and paid plans that add AI writing, summaries, meeting notes and team features. It's on every platform.
Pick it if you want a free app that does a lot, on every device. Skip it if you want the AI without a subscription.
Shortwave
From $30 per person a monthGmail firstWeb, desktop, mobile
An AI-first mail app built around Gmail, with AI search, filters and an assistant powered by large cloud models. Closest to Superhuman in feel.
Pick it if you want the most powerful AI assistant in your inbox. Skip it if you don't want a cloud model reading your mail.
Airmail
Pro $7.99 a month or $49.99 a yearAny accountMac and iPhone
A long-running Apple-only client with lots of customisation, integrations with other apps and an optional AI composer.
Pick it if you like to tailor every action. Skip it if you want something simple.
Canary Mail
Free, paid from $36 a yearAny accountApple, Windows, Android
A privacy-minded client with encryption (PGP), read receipts and an AI copilot on paid plans.
Pick it if you need encrypted mail. Skip it if you mostly want speed.
MailMate
About $10 a quarter, or a free modeIMAPMac only
A power user's IMAP client with Markdown writing, smart mailboxes and a lot of keyboard control. It looks old-fashioned, and that's part of the appeal for its fans.
Pick it if you write in Markdown and want deep IMAP control. Skip it if you want a modern look or AI.
Outlook
Free, more with Microsoft 365Any account, best with MicrosoftEvery platform
The obvious choice if your work runs on Microsoft 365, with mail and calendar together and Copilot on some plans.
Pick it if you're on Microsoft 365. Skip it if you want a light, Mac-first app.
Thunderbird
Free, open sourceAny accountMac, Windows, Linux
Free, open source and endlessly configurable with add-ons. It doesn't look or feel like a Mac app, but it'll never cost you anything.
Pick it if you want free and open source. Skip it if you care about a native Mac feel.
Our take
For most people, Apple Mail is enough. If email is a big part of your day, a faster app pays for itself quickly. Choose between them on three questions: which accounts you use, whether you want your mail read by a cloud AI, and whether you'd rather pay monthly or once.
Fast, private email for $49 once
Pre-orders are open at the launch price. One payment covers the Mac app and the AI, and the iPhone app when it arrives.
Pre-order Dusk