The Best Mailplane Alternatives for Enhanced Gmail Productivity
Mailplane has long been a favorite for macOS users who love the Gmail web interface but desire a dedicated desktop application. It offers features like drag-and-drop attachments, multiple account support, and deep integration with Gmail shortcuts, making it a productivity powerhouse. However, if you're looking to explore new horizons or simply want to compare your options, this guide dives into the top Mailplane alternatives that can elevate your Gmail experience.
Top Mailplane Alternatives
Whether you're seeking a more feature-rich client, a different design aesthetic, or cross-platform compatibility, these Mailplane alternatives offer a compelling range of options to streamline your email workflow.
Postbox
Postbox is a powerful commercial email application available for Mac and Windows. It's a strong Mailplane alternative for users who want extensive organizational tools, supporting Exchange, IMAP, and POP3. Key features include multiple account support, Box.com, Dropbox, and Onedrive integration, a built-in RSS reader, and a tabbed interface, making it ideal for managing a complex work life.
Airmail
Airmail is a lightweight and lightning-fast commercial mail client primarily for Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. As a Mailplane alternative, it excels with its clean design, unified inbox, multi-account support for IMAP and POP3, and robust customization options, offering a seamless and efficient email experience across Apple devices.
Shift
Shift is a popular freemium Mailplane alternative that simplifies navigating between Mail, Calendar, Drive, and various apps and extensions. Available for Mac, Windows, and Linux, it offers a unified inbox, cross-account search, and quick switching using hotkeys. It boasts strong integration with Gmail, Google Apps, Google Drive, GSuite, Outlook, and Salesforce, making it perfect for power users who juggle many services.
Wavebox
Wavebox is a freemium, open-source Mailplane alternative that brings the Gmail and Google Inbox experience to your desktop as a neatly packaged app. Available for Mac, Windows, and Linux, it offers excellent Gmail integration, support for Chrome extensions, and full keyboard shortcut support, providing a familiar and efficient environment.
Canary Mail
Canary Mail is a commercial email client for Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. What makes it a compelling Mailplane alternative is its strong focus on privacy, as your emails are not stored on a third-party server. It aims to offer a full set of powerful features while prioritizing user data security.
Unibox
Unibox is a commercial Mac-only email client that takes a unique people-centric approach, organizing messages by person rather than as a traditional to-do list. It supports IMAP servers and offers multiple account support, providing a refreshing alternative to Mailplane for users who prefer a more conversational view of their inbox.
Kiwi for Gmail
Kiwi for Gmail is a freemium Mailplane alternative for Mac and Windows that provides a dedicated Gmail client with clean integration of Google Calendar, Contacts, Google Drive, and Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. It's an excellent choice for users deeply embedded in the Google ecosystem, offering seamless GSuite integration and multiple account support.
Mia for Gmail
Mia for Gmail is a freemium Mailplane alternative designed as a native Gmail application for your Mac's menu bar. It allows you to read and compose emails without a browser, supports attachment files, and offers a quick email overview, making it convenient for discreet and efficient email management with multiple account support.
Maestro
Maestro is a commercial mail client specifically for Windows Phone. While not directly comparable to Mailplane's Mac focus, it serves as an alternative for mobile users seeking enhanced inbox management with unique features like account themes, gestures, and favorites, plus multiple account support.
Gmail Manager
Gmail Manager is a free Firefox extension that allows you to manage multiple Gmail accounts and receive new mail notifications directly within your browser. Available for Mac, Windows, and Linux, it displays account details and unread messages, making it a simple yet effective Mailplane alternative for those who prefer a browser-based solution.
Ultimately, the best Mailplane alternative depends on your specific needs, whether that's cross-platform compatibility, advanced features, a particular design aesthetic, or a focus on privacy. Explore these options to find the perfect fit that enhances your Gmail productivity and streamlines your email workflow.