Which is best: Canary Mail vs. Spark Mail [My 2025 comparison]

9 min read

I don’t know about you, but I find keeping on top of emails can be a bit of a chore. But never fear. Today, I’ll take you through a couple worth looking at: Canary Mail vs. Spark Mail.

So, brass tacks: What are they? They’re both multiplatform email apps that help individuals and businesses manage their inboxes as efficiently as possible.

In my deep dive, I’ll take you through all their useful features, where to get hold of them, and any charges associated with downloading either platform. Ready to click “Send”..?

But first, let’s quickly check out both options and see how they stack up against each other:

Let’s compare! Canary Mail Spark Mail
AI-Powered Assistance Yes (AI Copilot) Yes (AI+ Assistant)
Smart Inbox & Email Prioritization No Yes
Security Features End-to-end encryption, biometric app lock Secure cloud storage, spam filtering
Cross-Platform Support Windows, macOS, iOS, Android macOS, iOS, Android
Productivity Tools Bulk unsubscribe, email filtering Snooze, Smart Inbox, keyboard shortcuts
Pricing Available on Setapp with 7-day free trial, including 250+ Mac & iOS apps Available on Setapp with 7-day free trial, including 250+ Mac & iOS apps

Overview of Canary Mail

I’ll start with Canary Mail. This multiplatform email app can be downloaded through Setapp so that you can have a free 7-day trial to see if it suits you.

It has a great range of capabilities, including AI-powered technology to assist with writing emails and a single, unified inbox, which is essential if you need to look after emails from several accounts.

What are the main Canary Mail features to be aware of?

  • It has a super AI copilot tool that helps you craft emails and ensure you never miss important conversations.
  • Secure end-to-end email encryption means your inbox is always protected.
  • It works with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS systems.

Whether you’re an individual who just needs to look after work and personal accounts or a business with multiple individuals needing access to a single email account, it’s easy to use.

Overview of Spark Mail

Next, I’d like to tell you a bit about Spark Mail. This is also a multiplatform email app. It’s available for download from Setapp, too. But still, it has some exclusive set of features that differentiate it from competitors. Spark Mail comes with features like a Smart Inbox, collaboration tools, and the ability to snooze emails. It also integrates with tools like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Trello, so you can share your files and tasks directly from your inbox.

What are the main Spark Mail features?

  • It is easy to manage more than one inbox in one place, and you can connect Gmail, Outlook, and Apple accounts.
  • It’s got a great AI-powered email Assistant that can help you create better email drafts from the start, saving time and brain cells.
  • Fantastic focus-enhancing features like the Home Screen, Smart Inbox, and Gatekeeper help you stay on track with reading and replying to important messages.

Similar to Canary Mail, it’s going to be perfect for individuals and teams at work who want to take better care of their email inboxes and never miss a trick!

Head-to-head comparison of Canary Mail vs. Spark Mail

So, those are all the key Spark Mail features and Canary Mail features I think are worth knowing about, but I want to do a bit more of an in-depth trawl through what you can expect if you choose to use either one of these email apps. Let’s look deeper to help you decide is Canary Mail is better than Spark Mail or vice versa.

Canary Mail vs. Spark Mail: Features

I reckon the main thing to point out here is that while both tools offer email collaboration and connectivity, the main differences between Canary Mail and Spark Mail are as follows:

  • Canary Mail offers the user more security options, while Spark Mail places its focus on better productivity.
  • Both apps focus on AI with their co-pilot programs. These can be a boon if you need to create many different email templates and drafts, which can then be personalized.
  • They both have AI email summary functions, meaning you can get the gist of your messages and respond accordingly without spending much time reading lengthy texts.

So, which is better: Canary Mail or Spark Mail? Ultimately, it comes down to your priorities and requirements. Spark Mail does have its own robust security features, so your emails and communications are all exceptionally safe. However, in my mind, it’s the better tool for keeping focus and productivity levels high.

Canary Mail pricing vs. Spark Mail pricing

How much is it going to cost if you want to give either app a try? I’ve got a rundown for you.

The thing is, both apps are included in the Setapp platform, so you can get them along with over 250 other apps for just $9.99 a month. You can even take advantage of a 7-day free trial to check them out, plus access other apps, too. It’s definitely a better deal than buying each app separately!

Canary Mail vs. Spark Mail: Ease of use

Canary Mail is very easy to use, and if you’re already familiar with programs like Apple Mail, you should have no issues navigating either this or the Spark Mail app. Both apps are all about AI assistants, so I’ll show you how they actually work in real life.

To write an email in Canary Mail, click the compose icon on the top toolbar and then click AI in the compose window. Let’s say you’re applying for the Web Developer job. Ask AI to compose the letter. Once you're finished, you can either tweak the prompt or insert it and make a few small changes if you need to before sending it out:

Spark Mail is pretty easy to use. Just click on the compose icon (that pencil icon), then click ai+ to pick one of the options. Let’s say you want to write a welcome email for a new team member:

Pros and cons of Canary Mail vs. Spark Mail

I’m getting close to the home run of this piece, so it’s a good time to examine the pros and cons of both programs as part of this Canary Mail review and Spark Mail review.

The pros of Canary Mail:

  • The security with Canary is second to none. In addition to end-to-end encryption, there is also a biometric app lock.
  • The app has some superb productivity tools such as email filtering and bulk unsubscribe options so you can spend less time on housekeepin
  • There is brilliant cross-platform support for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.

The cons of Canary Mail:

  • Not all users like the interface and find it clunky or not as modern as some other email
  • Canary Mail is a closed-source application.

The pros of Spark Mail:

  • The smart, unified inbox is a great feature. You can group emails into categories or get assistance with prioritizing important messages. Unification also means you can sync all your inboxes across one app.
  • A great selection of keyboard shortcuts and an action bar make navigating and managing emails quick and efficient.
  • There are a great deal of customization features, including settings, templates, and a unique card view.

The cons of Spark Mail:

  • Spark Mail does group emails, but it isn’t always possible to customize them specifically to your needs.
  • Some users report that emails don't always sync immediately, especially when using multiple accounts.

Canary Mail vs. Spark Mail: Which app should you choose?

So, when we’re considering a final rundown of all the features of both apps, which should you choose? I’ll give you my last thoughts to help you make the right decision:

  • Try Canary Mail if you’re after an email app that offers great security options, including malware and phishing protection.
  • On the other hand, you should try Spark Mail for better organization tools and capabilities (whilst still maintaining great security levels).

The final word on Canary Mail vs. Spark Mail

We all want to keep our emails safe, whether we're just chatting with friends or handling stuff for work. It's totally normal to worry about who can see our info when we hit send. The good news is that using these apps can help keep you protected. Their AI features make sending emails a breeze, so you can spend less time on that and more time on other things.

You’ll be happy to know you can check out both Canary Mail and Spark Mail on Setapp. Plus, there are tons of awesome apps and tools for your Mac to explore. Why not give a cool free 7-day trial a shot?

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