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Head-to-head · Email Clients

Apple Mail vs Mailspring

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Apple Mail #3 in Email Clients 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Apple Mail
Mailspring #8 in Email Clients 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Mailspring

Apple Mail leads on 0 checks, Mailspring on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreApple Mail · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresMailspring · 3 of 4

Apple Mail scores higher on our rubric for email clients: 9.1 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

On app coverage, Apple Mail gives you All where Mailspring offers Desktop.

Apple Mail is the better fit for apple users wanting native email basics. Mailspring is the better fit for free desktop users wanting a capable open client.

  • Apple Mail fits best

    Apple users wanting native email basics

  • Mailspring fits best

    Free desktop users wanting a capable open client

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Side by side

Feature Apple Mail 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Mailspring 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.6
Ranking #3 in Email Clients #8 in Email Clients
Best for Apple users wanting native email basics Free desktop users wanting a capable open client
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Desktop
Platforms macOS, iOS Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Email, Community, Docs
Integrations 5 integrations 12 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Apple Mail 2/4 · Mailspring 3/4
Unified inbox ✓ ✓
Offline access Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Scheduled sending ✓ ✓
Calendar tools Not checked yet —
Specs
App coverage All Desktop
Account limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Manage multiple accounts in one app with a unified All Inboxes view.
  • Scheduled sending, threading, attachments, blocking, and junk-mail controls.
  • Apple Intelligence adds message summaries and writing assistance.
  • Unified inbox and search across connected email accounts
  • Works on macOS, Windows, and Linux with offline access
  • Pro adds scheduling, tracking, reminders, templates, and snoozing
Cons
  • Apple Intelligence availability varies by device, language, and region.
  • Its listed integrations are iCloud, Gmail, and Exchange.
  • Apple Mail is not open source.
  • Advanced productivity features require a paid Pro plan
  • Focused on desktop rather than mobile email access
  • Full-featured calendar support is still planned
Our verdict

Apple Mail is an email client included across Apple desktop and mobile platforms for sending, receiving, organizing, and managing messages from multiple accounts. It suits Apple users who want core email functions in one app, including a…

Read the review →

Mailspring is a native desktop email client for people managing multiple accounts across macOS, Windows, or Linux. Its free plan covers core email functionality, multi-account support, and a unified inbox, while also providing advanced…

Read the review →
  1. Apple MailEmail Clients 9.1Free plan
  2. MailspringEmail Clients 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Apple Mail — where it wins

    • Manage multiple accounts in one app with a unified All Inboxes view.
    • Scheduled sending, threading, attachments, blocking, and junk-mail controls.
    • Apple Intelligence adds message summaries and writing assistance.

    Where it doesn't

    • Apple Intelligence availability varies by device, language, and region.
    • Its listed integrations are iCloud, Gmail, and Exchange.
    • Apple Mail is not open source.

  • Mailspring — where it wins

    • Unified inbox and search across connected email accounts
    • Works on macOS, Windows, and Linux with offline access
    • Pro adds scheduling, tracking, reminders, templates, and snoozing

    Where it doesn't

    • Advanced productivity features require a paid Pro plan
    • Focused on desktop rather than mobile email access
    • Full-featured calendar support is still planned

More comparisons

All email clients comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update