8 best email clients for Mac in 2026: Fast, secure & feature-packed

Email clients have changed a lot over the years. The best apps today do more than just send and receive messages. They help you manage your time, protect your privacy, and even use AI to speed things up.

I tested the top email clients for Mac in 2026 to find the best of the best.

Best email client for Mac: Quick comparison table

Take a quick look at how the top email apps compare in this simple table:

Let's compare!	Best for	Main features
Spark Mail	Every day use with helpful AI tools	Smart inbox, AI writing, calendar built-in, customizable look
Microsoft Outlook	People who work with Microsoft apps	Works great with Teams, Outlook calendar, and other Microsoft tools
Apple Mail	Mac users who want something simple and built-in	Already on your Mac, blocks trackers, works with iCloud
Airmail	People who love customizing and staying organized	Handles lots of accounts, swipe shortcuts, and works with other apps
Edison Mail	Those who want help clearing out email clutter	Unsubscribes in one click, tracks purchases and travel, and helps sort clutter
Mimestream	Gmail fans who want a fast Mac app	Built for Gmail, super fast, supports labels and shortcuts
Mailmate	Tech-savvy users who love shortcuts and full control	Supports markdown writing, great search, tons of keyboard shortcuts
Unibox	People who like emails grouped by person, like chats	Shows emails by sender, easy to find files, simple layout

Need productivity tools for your Mac? Give this helpful Productivity tool finder a try. It can help you discover the best tools to achieve your personal goals with ease.

8 best email clients for Mac in 2026

After countless late nights, hours of testing, and way too much coffee, here are my top picks for the best email client for Mac in 2026. I’ve broken down the Mac email software reviews for each, so you can find your perfect match.

1. Spark Mail

Spark Mail is the most well-rounded email client I've used. Its natural language search has saved me countless hours, and the built-in calendar integration means I rarely need to switch apps during my workday.

It also comes with great AI features that help you write better emails faster, and the interface strikes a nice balance between simplicity and power. I especially love the Smart Inbox, which automatically separates personal, notification, and newsletter emails.

One downside is that some advanced features require a subscription. And occasionally, the categorization can misfile important emails.

Key features:

• Smart Inbox categorizes emails automatically
• AI writing assistant helps draft responses
• Real-time collaboration for teams
• Advanced customization options
• Beautiful, clean interface that's distraction-free

Best for: All-around use with AI-powered features

2. Microsoft Outlook

If your workflow revolves around Microsoft tools, Microsoft Outlook is a solid option. This email client is often the default choice in corporate environments due to its wide range of features, though it can sometimes feel a bit bloated.

Outlook has come a long way on Mac. The 2026 version is fast and offers excellent integration with apps like Teams, OneDrive, and other Microsoft services. Its calendar functionality is still best-in-class.

Source: microsoft.com

Key features:

• Works seamlessly with Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, and Teams
• Focused Inbox helps separate important emails from distractions
• Powerful calendar tools for scheduling, reminders, and meetings
• Built-in collaboration features for working with teams and shared mailboxes
• Smart search and AI tools to organize and find emails faster

Best for: Business users who use Microsoft tools for work

3. Apple Mail

Apple Mail is the built-in email client on your Mac. It’s a top-notch choice if you need something basic, low-effort, and easy to navigate.

It’s fast, reliable, and integrates perfectly with other Apple services. The privacy protection features are excellent, and there’s virtually no learning curve for most Mac users.

Keep in mind that you won’t find many advanced features here. It also comes with more basic AI capabilities compared to its competitors.

Key features:

• Comes pre-installed with macOS, no setup needed
• Syncs smoothly with iCloud for mail, contacts, and calendars
• Strong privacy features like blocking trackers and remote content
• Supports Mail extensions for added functionality
• Organizes conversations with easy-to-follow email threads

Best for: Mac users who want simplicity and native integration

If you're looking for simple, no-cost options, check out this guide to the best free email services for Mac.

4. Airmail

Airmail is perfect for productivity enthusiasts who want to connect their email with other workflow tools. I like the ability to turn emails into tasks in my preferred task manager with a single click.

This email client offers an impressive range of integrations with services like Todoist, Evernote, and Trello. Its interface is highly customizable, and the unified inbox works well if you manage multiple accounts.

However, its privacy features aren't as strong as some competitors', and you might run into occasional stability issues.

Source: airmailapp.com

Key features:

• View and manage emails from multiple accounts in one unified inbox
• Connect with third-party apps like Todoist, Trello, and Evernote
• Personalize swipe gestures for faster inbox actions
• Set up advanced rules and filters to automate email management
• Snooze emails to deal with them at a better time

Best for: Users who want a Gmail-style interface with more features

Read also:

• Change email password
• Best free email services
• Block email address

5. Edison Mail

If your inbox is constantly flooded with newsletters and promotional emails, Edison’s tools for managing the chaos are hard to beat.

Its AI assistant is surprisingly effective at handling subscriptions and tracking purchases. The interface is clean and intuitive, and the one-click unsubscribe feature alone has saved me hours of frustration.

Some downsides include limited customization options and occasional sync delays.

Source: edisonmail.com

Key features:

• Automatically tracks travel plans and organizes itinerary details
• Unsubscribe from unwanted emails with a single click
• AI assistant helps manage subscriptions, clutter, and email organization
• Monitors purchase receipts and alerts you to price drops
• Sends security alerts if your email is involved in a data breach

Best for: Managing subscription overload and email clutter

6. Mimestream

I started using Mimestream for my Gmail accounts last year, and I’ve stuck with it ever since. It’s much faster than using Gmail in a browser, and having a real Mac app makes everything smoother.

Mimestream is like Gmail made for Mac. It’s super fast, supports labels and other Gmail features, and has a clean, easy-to-use design.

Just keep in mind that it only works with Gmail accounts, and since it’s still new, a few features are still being added.

Source: mimestream.com

Key features:

• Designed for Gmail users on macOS
• Offers lightning-fast performance and smooth navigation
• Supports Gmail features like labels, stars, and categories
• Manage multiple Gmail accounts in one place
• Includes full keyboard shortcut support for faster email handling

Best for: Gmail power users who want a native Mac experience

Source: getreadytosend.com

7. MailMate

If you like to customize everything on your computer, MailMate might be just what you’re looking for. I especially like its markdown support. It makes writing and formatting emails quick and easy.

MailMate is packed with features, great for keyboard shortcuts, and has super-powerful search tools.

Just a heads-up: it’s not the easiest app to learn, the design is very basic, and there aren’t many ways to change how it looks.

Source: freron.com

Key features:

• Navigate and manage emails quickly with full keyboard shortcut support
• Create smart mailboxes with advanced rules and conditions
• Write and format emails using built-in Markdown support
• Find exactly what you need with powerful, precise search tools
• Use tags and detailed filters to keep your inbox organized

Best for: Power users, developers, and markdown enthusiasts

8. Unibox

Unibox feels more like a messaging app than a regular email client. It groups emails by sender, so you can follow conversations without digging through your inbox. I find it really helpful, especially when I’m switching between different clients and chats.

It's simple, a people-focused design makes it great for personal use and catching up on past emails.

Just know that it might not work as well if you deal with a lot of business emails. Some users have noticed slow loading at times, and handling multiple accounts isn’t always smooth.

Source: uniboxapp.com 

Key features:

• View all your emails in one place with a unified inbox
• Browse attachments easily using grid or list view
• Use a simple, clutter-free single window layout
• Follow full conversations with an easy drill-down view by sender

Best for: Users who prefer to view emails grouped by sender

Tips to choose the right Mac email app

When choosing an email app for your Mac, think about how you use email day to day. Look for something that’s fast, easy to navigate, and fits the way you work. Good search tools, clean organization, and reliable syncing across devices can save you a lot of time. If you care about privacy, check what kind of protection the app offers. And don’t forget to test a few options to see what feels right.

Want more productivity tools? You can check out this helpful list of the best productivity tools for Mac and iOS.  

Bonus tool: Use Clean Email with any Mac email app

Source: clean.email

While we’re on the topic of organizing your inbox, I want to mention an additional tool that I believe can help your email experience called Clean Email. It’s not an email client, but a powerful web-based service that works with your existing email accounts (Gmail, Outlook, iCloud, etc.) to help you declutter and organize your messages. 

It comes with a few smart features that make managing your inbox much easier. The Unsubscriber helps you get rid of unwanted emails without having to open each one. The Screener lets you decide which new senders are allowed to reach your inbox. And with Auto Clean, you can set simple rules to automatically delete, archive, or move messages.

What makes the best email client for Mac in 2026?

Choosing the best mail app for Mac in 2026 can make a difference in how your day flows. If you're doing a Mac email app comparison, look for these functionalities: 

Compatibility & syncing

The top macOS email clients for Mac keep everything in sync, so you're not dealing with missing folders or lost messages. Look for an app that works with all your accounts, like iCloud, Gmail, and Outlook.

Speed & performance

No one wants to sit around waiting for emails to load. A fast email app for Mac should open quickly, feel smooth, and never slow down your computer. The ones I picked are quick, light, and won’t waste your time.

Security features

Privacy matters more than ever, so using a secure email client for Mac is a must. Look for one with strong encryption, clear privacy policies, and tools that protect your data, like blocking trackers. 

Productivity features

The best email app for Mac should help you stay on top of your messages. Look for smart features like organized inboxes, easy search, snooze, send later, and templates. An AI-powered email client for Mac can even write replies, summarize threads, and help you focus on what matters most.

Customization & integrations

Go with an app that lets you tweak the interface, set up custom themes, create personalized workflows with rules and filters, and integrate with your other favorite apps (calendars, task managers, cloud storage).

Final thoughts on the best email client for Mac

The top macOS email clients can make handling your inbox feel a lot less stressful. Some apps help you stay more organized, some focus on privacy, and others use smart tools to save you time. What matters most is finding one that feels right for your daily routine.

Tools like Spark Mail, Ready to Send, and Leave Me Alone all offer helpful features, from smart inboxes and AI writing help to strong encryption and easy unsubscribe options.

They're all available through Setapp, a subscription that gives you access to 260+ top-rated Mac and iOS apps in one place. There's a free trial too, so you can try them out and see what fits best before making a decision.

FAQs

What is the best free email client for Mac in 2026? 

The best free email client for Mac in 2026 really depends on your needs. If you want something simple and built-in, Apple Mail works well. For more features like AI help or customization, some third-party apps like Spark Mail offer great value. Try a few to see what fits best.

Which Mac email app supports end-to-end encryption? 

Many Mac email apps support end-to-end encryption. For example, MailMate supports standards-compliant encryption methods and gives advanced users more control over secure email communication.

Can I use Gmail on third-party Mac email apps? 

Yes, you can use Gmail on third-party Mac email apps. Almost all third-party Mac email clients, including Spark Mail, Airmail, Outlook, Edison Mail, and Unibox, support Gmail accounts. Mimestream is even built specifically for Gmail.

Is Apple Mail better than Outlook for Mac? 

It depends on what you need. Apple Mail is simple, free, and works well with other Apple apps, so it’s great for everyday use. Outlook has more features, especially for calendars and Microsoft tools. The newest version is also free for personal use, which is a big plus.

What is the fastest email client for Mac? 

If you want a fast email app for Mac, Edison Mail and Mimestream are often praised for how quickly they work. Spark Mail is also pretty smooth. Built-in apps like Apple Mail usually run well too, since they’re made to work with macOS.

Are there email apps for Mac with AI features? 

Yes, plenty of email apps for Mac now include AI features. Spark Mail is a popular one. It can help you write replies, summarize long emails, and stay organized. If you're looking for a smart, AI-powered email app for Mac, these are great options to try.