Best email apps for Gmail
Gmail's own app is free and fine, but these add speed, keyboard shortcuts, smarter sorting and AI help for people who live in their inbox.
Quick answer Mail is the top pick, followed by Spark Mail and Microsoft Outlook.
Top pick
Mail by Apple
Built into macOS, iOS and iPadOS: Apple's mail app, with Apple Intelligence summaries.
- Works with Gmail
- Price
- Free
- Works on
- Mac, iPhone
- Accounts
- Gmail, Outlook, iCloud, Any IMAP
- AI features
- Yes
Price, checked Oct 26, 2026FreeTry Mail free
Spark Mail by Readdle
Email client by Readdle with a smart inbox, AI assistant and shared team inboxes.
- Works with Gmail
- Price
- Free plan · paid from $8.25/user/mo
- Works on
- Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android
- Accounts
- Gmail, Outlook, iCloud, Any IMAP
- AI features
- Yes
- Shared inbox
- Yes
Price, checked Oct 26, 2026Free plan · paid from $8.25/user/moTry Spark Mail free
Microsoft Outlook by Microsoft
Microsoft's email and calendar app; free with ads, ad-free with a Microsoft 365 plan.
- Works with Gmail
- Price
- Free plan · paid from $1.67/user/mo
- Works on
- Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android, Web
- Accounts
- Gmail, Outlook, iCloud, Any IMAP
- AI features
- Yes
- Shared inbox
- Yes
Price, checked Oct 26, 2026Free plan · paid from $1.67/user/moTry Microsoft Outlook free
Superhuman Mail by Superhuman
Keyboard-driven email app with AI drafting and team sharing for Gmail and Outlook.
- Works with Gmail
- Price
- From $25/user/mo
- Works on
- Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android, Web, Chrome extension
- Accounts
- Gmail, Outlook
- AI features
- Yes
- Shared inbox
- Yes
Price, checked Oct 26, 2026From $25/user/moGet Superhuman Mail
Gmail by Google
Google's email service on web and mobile, with Gemini drafting and thread summaries.
- Works with Gmail
- Price
- Free plan · paid from $7/user/mo
- Works on
- iPhone, Android, Web
- Accounts
- Gmail, Outlook, iCloud, Any IMAP
- AI features
- Yes
- Shared inbox
- Yes
Price, checked Oct 26, 2026Free plan · paid from $7/user/moTry Gmail free
Shortwave by Shortwave
AI email client for Gmail and Google Workspace with team collaboration tools.
- Works with Gmail
- Price
- Free plan · paid from $18/user/mo
- Works on
- Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android, Web
- Accounts
- Gmail
- AI features
- Yes
- Shared inbox
- Yes
Price, checked Oct 26, 2026Free plan · paid from $18/user/moTry Shortwave free
Canary Mail by Cartasec
Email app with an AI Copilot, read receipts, PGP encryption and shared inboxes.
- Works with Gmail
- Price
- Free plan · paid from $3/user/mo
- Works on
- Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android
- Accounts
- Gmail, Outlook, iCloud, Any IMAP
- AI features
- Yes
- Shared inbox
- Yes
Price, checked Oct 26, 2026Free plan · paid from $3/user/moTry Canary Mail free
Thunderbird by MZLA Technologies (Mozilla)
Free, open-source desktop email client funded by donations, now also on Android.
- Works with Gmail
- Price
- Free
- Works on
- Mac, Windows, Linux, Android
- Accounts
- Gmail, Outlook, Any IMAP
Price, checked Oct 26, 2026FreeTry Thunderbird free
Mimestream by Mimestream
Native macOS email client for Gmail, built on the Gmail API.
- Works with Gmail
- Price
- From $4.17/user/mo
- Works on
- Mac
- Accounts
- Gmail
Price, checked Oct 26, 2026From $4.17/user/moTry Mimestream free
Missive by Heliom
Team email, chat and tasks in one app, with shared inboxes and AI drafts.
- Works with Gmail
- Price
- From $14/user/mo
- Works on
- Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android, Web
- Accounts
- Gmail, Outlook, iCloud, Any IMAP
- AI features
- Yes
- Shared inbox
- Yes
Price, checked Oct 26, 2026From $14/user/moTry Missive free
Compare the top picks
| App | Price | Works on | Accounts | AI features | Shared inbox |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Mac, iPhone | Gmail, Outlook, iCloud, Any IMAP | Yes | – | |
| Spark Mail | Free plan · paid from $8.25/user/mo | Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android | Gmail, Outlook, iCloud, Any IMAP | Yes | Yes |
| Microsoft Outlook | Free plan · paid from $1.67/user/mo | Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android, Web | Gmail, Outlook, iCloud, Any IMAP | Yes | Yes |
| Superhuman Mail | From $25/user/mo | Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android, Web, Chrome extension | Gmail, Outlook | Yes | Yes |
| Gmail | Free plan · paid from $7/user/mo | iPhone, Android, Web | Gmail, Outlook, iCloud, Any IMAP | Yes | Yes |
| Shortwave | Free plan · paid from $18/user/mo | Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android, Web | Gmail | Yes | Yes |
| Canary Mail | Free plan · paid from $3/user/mo | Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android | Gmail, Outlook, iCloud, Any IMAP | Yes | Yes |
| Thunderbird | Free | Mac, Windows, Linux, Android | Gmail, Outlook, Any IMAP | – | – |
| Mimestream | From $4.17/user/mo | Mac | Gmail | – | – |
| Missive | From $14/user/mo | Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android, Web | Gmail, Outlook, iCloud, Any IMAP | Yes | Yes |
How we picked
We compared 15 email apps and kept the 13 that fit this guide. We don't test apps ourselves: features and prices come from each app's own site, and the order follows what independent reviewers recommend. No app pays to be listed or placed higher, and whether an app pays us a commission never changes its place.
Questions
How are these apps ranked?
Apps that independent "best of" roundups recommend come first, the most often recommended at the top; the rest follow with the best-known first. Every app listed meets this guide's needs.
Are these links sponsored?
Links to apps whose affiliate programs have approved Build Your Toolkit are affiliate links, marked as such, so we may earn a commission if you sign up for a paid plan. It doesn't change what you pay, and no app pays to be listed or placed higher.
Where do the prices come from?
From each app's own pricing page, on the date shown next to the price. Prices for email apps change often, so check the vendor's page before you buy.