What’s that one program you can’t live without? The one thing that you use everyday. The one thing without which your social life can’t survive. If you’re anything like the most of the population you use it on most of your devices. Phones tablets laptops desktop you name it. If you answered angry birds, stay after class. But if you answered email, you’ve earned extra credit.
Now the major question is, how do you check your mail? What I mean to ask is do you use the web mail or do you use an email client like Microsoft outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird or any other? Most of the people use the web mail because it is easier and hassle free. But all you need to do is get the hang of any email client, and you will love it. Seriously, try any one of the email clients mentioned below and I am sure you will get addicted to them.
Now before I list the top 5 email apps for Mac, I’d like to answer the 2 main burning questions-
Why do I need an Email Client?
Each and every operating system comes with a default email client already installed in it. To be quite frank, you don’t actually need an external email client. In most cases the web mail will suffice. But still having an email client has its own perks. Now the email clients don’t use the internet as the way you would picture it. They’re not a website. They download the email right into your computer from the main server. Whereas in the web mail, you are checking or reading your mail right from the server.
Thus, by using a client you have a copy of all the emails right on your computer and you can access them even when your internet is down. It’s really a matter of taste but most people that I’ve been in contact with seem to prefer using a PC email client such as Outlook or Outlook Express to access their email. A PC email client will run faster than a web based email system because it is running on your local PC. Also the matter of security comes into the picture. Once someone has the password to your web-mail, they’re basically through and have access to all your data. An email client needs a hell lot of details to log in, like the server name, user name, password etc. Thus the data security is better as long as you keep your laptop safe.
Is the Default Email Client Not enough?
In short? No. But if you’ve got to do something, do it right. That applies here too. In most cases the default application provided by an OS is never enough. The OS X Mail 7.0, the email client in the Mac OS X is not good enough either. I won’t go as far as calling it a disaster.
In fact, it’s quite good. But it lacks some things like it has no rules or smart folders that learn from example, flexible message templates and truly free-form labeling, very few criterion in smart folders to name a few. If you’ve going to use an email client for your Mac, you have got to use one of those listed below.
Mozilla Thunderbird
If you have used the Mozilla’s Firefox you might be inclined to try out one of its newer child, the Mozilla Thunderbird. Just like the browser it offers a lot of add-ons that enable you to which can make your email desktop client look and work the way you like It comes with enhanced multiple tag search in Quick Filter. Now when you are searching for a particular phrase, it will look within the newest mails first and then the old ones. To remain in competition with its counterparts the Mozilla has added plenty new functions. Now, you can archive your email, helping you save tons of space in the mailbox, but at the same time keeping all these messages and attached files intact.
The interface of the Mozilla Thunderbird is a bit messed up. But it does have many of the newer and smoother features of Firefox that help you include a lot of add-ons that help you customize it anyway you like. Another feature it provides is that of creation of different tabs, adding a lot of flexibility, because if you have important correspondence you can entirely put it in a different tab, allowing you to keep track of all that happened in this email conversation.
The level of security is nothing special but you sure are protected from Phishing , so that you can be safe from Junk mail. If you’re looking for a free, easy, open source app to keep your mailbox organized, the Mozilla Thunderbird is just the thing for you.
Postbox 3
The Postbox 3 has a lot of features. It has plenty of new as well as old features that make it impossible to recognise that it’s a rework of Thunderbird. Postbox’s designers have thoughtfully built in ways to tie the program to Gmail, Evernote, Dropbox, and even LinkedIn. It comes with a start-up wizard which can automatically configure all your emails. That is why you can get all that done with that in a matter of minutes, because the wizard searches for the server configurations itself and fills in the rest of all the necessary email account information.
As far as the interface is concerned, it is sleek and easy to use. Users can choose between Classic and Vertical view layouts; they can visualize or not have any of the four available panes, which are: Folder, Focus, Message, Inspector and Favorites. It’s a paid app that is highly gmail user centric, thus its recommended that you download the 30 day free trial before buying the full version.
Sparrow 1.3.1
Don’t want to be burdened with too many unnecessary features? Then the Sparrow 1.3.1 is just the app for you. Sleek, light, easy to use, this app is best for those who want to stay away from extraneous, extravagant features. All you need to do is add your name email address the password and voila you’re done. All you need to do is kick back and relax.
The sparrow will spring into action by loading the bulk of your thousands of Gmail messages within minutes. The fact that Google bought this entire company after being impressed by this makes a pretty strong claim for the app. The fact that creators aren’t updating the client anymore makes it a risky download since you won’t get much support. But still with a crisp, clean, simple interface this is a safe bet for those who want a hassle free experience.
Inky
How many email accounts do you have? Surely its more than one. One for personal communications, one for office emails and perhaps even more. It can become real messy and difficult to keep track of all the emails you receive. Inky allows you to add all your accounts into one. It has a flat and gorgeous design which it rocks, no ridiculous over-the-top designing, a simple email client to make your email simpler. The program also recognizes and categorizes different kinds of messages, from daily deals to social media notices, in custom views that you can switch on or off in its settings. I personally can’t think of any reason for not giving it a go. So go ahead, download it. You’ll love it. Trust me.
Email Pro for Gmail
With Gmail being the most loved email service among people right now it’s only fair that most of the email clients coming out right now be Gmail centric. And so is the Email Pro. As long as you have a Gmail account, its super useful. Rather than thinking about it as an email app, think of it as a Web browser that can navigate to only Gmail—offer basic functions at pocket-change prices. In the email pro you use Gmail directly, rather than importing its mail into an app, you don’t have to create an application-specific password, even if you’ve heightened your Gmail security settings. The Email pro has a pretty simple and colourful interface. It may take a while for you to get the hang of it, but once you do, it will be really easy. You can also make the Email Pro fill in for your desktop background. Thus if you have a Gmail account and are looking for an app with all the useful features in it, the Email Pro for Gmail is your best bet.
