If you’re like the rest of the world’s email users, you’ve probably found an amazing email client that can handle anything you throw at it. but sometimes you may be forced to look for a new client due to different circumstances. it may be that your current client is no longer being updated by its developers, or it may not be compatible with the operating system of your new laptop or computer. Today we will review the best alternatives to Apple Mail for Windows 10, 11 and other popular versions.
let’s dive in!
move from mac to windows
many mac users face this same situation. have to (for whatever reason) switch from mac to windows 10, 7, 8, 11 or linux operating system. you may be able to install the windows-compatible version of your current email client on your new operating system. however, some clients are mac specific and you will need to find the best windows alternative for your mac email client.
We decided to put together a list of our favorite windows alternatives to os x email clients. all email clients below support imap and pop3 and we didn’t take price into account when considering these apps because choosing the best email client for gmail or any other email provider is all about features, not with the cost.
Also remember that most of the windows email app alternatives on our list are also available on mac.
First, let’s look at some of the best options available for Mac devices to see what Windows 10 and 11 apps are up against.
the best mac email clients
what is the best mail app for mac? here are the best candidates:
apple mail
Source: Macworld
apple mail is the default email client on all mac computers for users with icloud accounts set up. It’s a favorite of many Apple loyalists and is one of the best email apps for Mac. The mail app offers basic features like the ability to intuitively manage multiple email accounts and organize your inbox however you like.
Along with the added bonus of seamless integration with other apple products and applications (the main draw of using apple mail), the interface is clean and easy to use. reminds us a bit of a modern version of outlook, only less cluttered.
why it’s popular:
- clean design
- intuitive integration with apple products
airmail 3
Source: iLounge
airmail 3 is another os x email client that is very popular with users with icloud accounts set up. the main reason is its combination of a beautiful, streamlined interface and a fully customizable experience.
for apple lovers who preferred the intuitive design of the mail app but want more functionality and productivity, airmail 3 is the winner. offers just what you need from an email client while adding a touch of enhancement (like third-party integrations with asana and trello) that has kept it a constant crowd-pleaser for the past few years.
why it’s popular:
- productivity engine
- customization
spark
Source: iDownloadBlog
Like the other mac contenders on this list, spark has an easy setup and a streamlined interface. The main reason it’s one of the most downloaded OS X email clients is that it can integrate with just about any other third-party productivity tool you might use (evernote, onenote, dropbox, google drive, pocket, and more). /p>
There are dozens of add-on widgets you can choose from to customize your experience, along with spark’s standout feature, a Smart Inbox, which intelligently classifies your emails.
why it’s popular:
- Full customization
- Comprehensive third-party integrations
Now, let’s see the best windows alternatives for these beloved os x email clients.
best apple mail alternatives for windows
mail bird
mailbird was inspired by a mac email client called sparrow. Our founders loved the email client Google acquired for $25 million in 2012, and decided to create a sparrow-like app for the unattended Windows market. mailbird was born and is now compatible with all popular versions of windows up to 11.
There is no mailbird for mac yet. but many of our users who came from mac looking for apple mail for windows fell in love with mailbird for its customization options, visual clarity, and a better overall experience that will allow you to become a superior email ninja.
Our developers put a lot of effort and focused on a super clean and intuitive UX and UI to give people a unique alternative to outlook. managing multiple email accounts is ridiculously easy in mailbird. Storage management is also a breeze with the ability to coordinate with dropbox, google docs, evernote, asana, and more.
We’re also releasing the alpha version of our new contact manager that lets you import and export contacts from your current email provider and keep your entire network organized. it will sync with outlook and gmail and combine unique and familiar features to unify all your online contacts with ease.
You can also sort and search correspondence through a profile picture or customizable folders and labels, ensuring an efficient system. if customization is your thing, you’ll love mailbird. you can customize just about everything, from the ability to customize account icons, font formats, and color schemes, along with shortcuts, languages, email notification sounds, and dark theme options.
setup is intuitive. The app’s design and interface are made for those who like beautiful productivity, with new features being added constantly to improve the overall experience. we’ve added advanced touch support for all your devices, third-party apps for your social networks, and a speed reader that lets you cut your email reading time in half.
why it compares:
- lots of third-party integrations
- customization
- overall experience
microsoft outlook
outlook is another alternative to macmail for windows. This email client has been around for a long time and has always ruled the game in terms of a functional email program. you can download outlook as a desktop client (if it’s not already on your computer), but you also have the option of using the virtual suite on your own.
outlook integrates seamlessly with the rest of the microsoft office suite, providing an incredibly productive option for those who like to have the full suite. For multiple account management and contact integration, Outlook is strong because of its connection to the Microsoft Office suite. The configuration of outlook itself (and the entire suite) is quite simple, but it’s not as intuitive and clear as it could be.
Also, the calendar application has been neglected for a few years, making it weaker than other email clients. organization and customization have a decent outlook, but they’re not at the forefront of worthwhile features. ms outlook can be overwhelming, especially for older mac users who are used to clean and intuitive ux and ui from their applications.
why it compares: a more complete alternative to apple’s mail app
em client
customization is better in the em client than in microsoft outlook. however, it is very similar to perspective. contacts and calendars integrate well. Setup is easy, and overall the app supports incredible customization and extra features, meaning just like airmail 3 and spark available for os x or mailbird for windows 10, you’ll be able to adapt your client to your changing needs.
The interface is elegant, clean and incredibly natural to use, making the experience smooth and pleasant. It could be argued that the app isn’t as modern as other email clients, but if you love the basic layout of Microsoft Outlook along with the customization available in Mac apps like Airmail 3 and Spark, you’ll love EM Client.
why it compares: customizable like airmail 3 and spark
thunder bird
just like ms outlook, thunderbird has been around for quite some time. and although Mozilla has discontinued its development, it is still a very popular choice for people looking for a free and reliable email client.
As with mailbird and em client, managing multiple accounts is also an option here. importing and exporting contacts is quite simple. While Thunderbird doesn’t come with an intuitive calendar integration, you can download the Lightning plugin to create a calendar that you can use alongside the main app.
There are some alternatives to thunderbird that are very popular. its features and integration capabilities are much more than thunderbird.
Thunderbird’s setup process is simple. The overall interface is a bit rougher than Apple’s Mail app. this may be important for some users making the big change. but thunderbird offers endless customization, allowing users to create an email experience that’s just right for them, something that even the best mac apps haven’t fully mastered (yet).
why it compares:
- for use on both os x and windows
- individualized experience
so which windows client is best for your switch?
At the end of the day, choosing the ideal alternative to apple mail for windows will come down to two things: (1) your daily use and (2) the features critical to your productivity. Finding an app that works for you, not against you, is key. hopefully the above list will help you find the best email client to help you move from mac to windows.
what do you think? what is your favorite windows email client?
