Mimestream, Spark or Airmail? Three Mac email apps compared on price, accounts and Apple support.
Researched from official sources, updated today, 2 min readApple Mail comes free with every Mac, but plenty of people want something more focused. We looked at the Mac email apps in our inventory and picked three for different needs: Gmail users, people who want AI help, and Apple fans who want a native feel across devices. Prices were checked on November 1, 2026.
| Mimestream | Spark Mail | Airmail | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Gmail users who want a native Mac app | Mac users who also use Windows or Android | Apple-only users on a budget |
| Price | $49.99/year after a 14-day trial | Free; Plus $10/month; Pro $20/month | Free (one account); Pro $5.99/month or $29.99/year |
| Platforms | Mac | iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, web | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch |
Gmail users who want a native Mac appMimestream is a native macOS email client made only for Gmail. It talks to Gmail through the Gmail API rather than older mail protocols. It needs macOS 12 Monterey or newer and is sold directly, not through the Mac App Store. After a 14-day free trial, the Individual plan is $49.99 a year, and it is subscription only.
Pick it if you use Gmail and want it to feel like a proper Mac app instead of a browser tab.
Mac users who also use Windows or Android
Spark is a cross-platform email client with a Smart Inbox, tools for prioritizing and organizing mail, and an AI assistant for writing, translation and summaries. It works with more than just Gmail, and the free plan is a good place to start. Plus and Pro plans add more features.
Pick it if you want one inbox that works on your Mac and on non-Apple devices too.
Apple-only users on a budget
Airmail is an email client for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch. The free version is limited to one account. Airmail Pro costs $5.99 a month or $29.99 a year, with prices that may vary by region.
Pick it if you stay inside Apple's world and want a cheaper upgrade than the others here.
Apple Mail, the free built-in app, which handles iCloud, Gmail, Exchange, Yahoo and Outlook accounts and includes Mail Privacy Protection.
If your mail lives in Gmail, Mimestream is the most focused Mac choice. If you want AI features and a free plan, or you also use Windows or Android, go with Spark. If you only use Apple devices and want a low-cost upgrade, Airmail Pro is the cheapest paid option here.