Not getting enough from the built-in Mail app on your Mac? Perhaps you’re a Gmail user that wants both delete and archive functionality at your fingertips, or maybe you want Dropbox support for file attachments. Whatever the reason, there are a few great alternatives when it comes to handling email on the Mac. These are currently the best Mac apps to help you get your inbox under control…
Airmail 2
The only option for power users
Airmail 2 offers almost any feature you could ever want in an email app. I’ve used it with every account type I can think of and I’ve never run into an account it didn’t support, including Exchange accounts with one-off host and server addresses. Keep in mind that Airmail 2 isn’t built with simplicity in mind, it’s built for the power user. You can customize almost any part of your experience and personalize the interface with a wide array of different themes and column styles. One of my favorite features of Airmail 2 is how it lets you handle archive and delete, an important option for Gmail users. I have it set so pressing delete on my Mac’s keyboard archives the message. Pressing Shift + Delete sends it to the trash. Quick, easy, and efficient. Airmail 2 supports more Mac app integrations than any other email app you’ll find. Want to send a message to Evernote or your todo app of choice? Airmail 2 supports it. Airmail 2 also supports Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, Droplr, Cloudapp, FTP, and more for image attachments. And as of Airmail version 2.6, Airmail also supports native snooze options. It may take you a little longer to configure and set up just the way you like, but the feature set you get out of Airmail 2 makes it more than worth it.
* $9.99 – Download See also:
- Airmail for iPhone – $4.99 – Download
Mail Pilot 2
Turn your inbox into a todo list
Some people function better when they can think of everything in the form of a task. This is exactly what Mail Pilot 2 does best. Just like Mailbox, you can set aside emails for later. Mail Pilot 2 takes this one step further. You can add things to set aside with zero reminders or you can choose to add a reminder for a certain data and/or time. If you choose a simple set aside, it will sit in that section until you check it and clear it out. Reminders will clear them out of your inbox until the date and time you specify. When that time arrives, they’ll show up in your inbox again. Instead of gestures, Mail Pilot 2 gives you useful keyboard shortcuts that are visible by right clicking any email. You can also see suggestions at the top and bottom of the message window. The shortcuts that appear in message windows will dynamically change to show what options you have based on what you have selected. This way you can read, triage, and sort without ever taking your hands off the keyboard. Most mail accounts will be supported with Mail Pilot 2, including Outlook and custom Exchange accounts. Also worth mentioning, Mail Pilot 2 never stores your data on third-party servers.
* $9.99 – Download
Outlook
For any and all of your Exchange needs
If you have an Exchange account that you heavily rely on, the native Outlook app for Mac has not only improved in the past year or so, it has become downright enjoyable to use. I used to use Airmail for all my Exchange accounts but I’ve actually started using Outlook more and more. It helps me keep my personal and work accounts separate and gives me access to other parts of my Exchange account that are better managed natively, such as Exchange event invites, tasks, and calendars. The Outlook app isn’t just limited to Exchange accounts either. If you prefer having all your email accounts under one roof, Outlook most likely supports whatever account type you need, including iCloud. The Outlook for iOS app is the same way, which makes it ideal for those that are tied to Exchange for work but would also like their personal accounts in the same app. If great Exchange support is a must-have but you don’t need the robust feature set of Airmail 2, I’d highly recommend giving Outlook a try.
* Free w/ Office 365 subscription – Download See also:
Nylas N1
Open source customizations, plugin support
Nylas N1 is a relatively new client (and still in development) but it shows a lot of potential. The interface is clean, easy to navigate, and lets you customize what shortcut types you prefer (Apple Mail, Gmail, or Outlook). Support for many different mail clients is already available — including iCloud, Gmail, Exchange, and more. The coolest part of N1 is its support for plugins. For example, you can activate the templates plugin which lets you save email templates for continuous use. You can also activate plugins that show sender’s Github pages, and can even translate outgoing messages into tons of different languages. If you want other plugins, N1 is open source so you can either create your own or browse for ones others have created. My only dislike so far is the lack of a combined inbox view. When you need to triage emails quickly, this is something I find necessary. But considering N1 is still new, I’d be willing to bet we’ll see it in a later version. For now, Nylas N1 is off to a great start and is a decent option for anyone who wants custom options they can grow with.
* Free – Download
