Chapter 1: Overview of Email Management

Managing your email can be approached in various ways. For a long time, I opted for traditional methods, relying on Apple Mail and Gmail’s web interface without implementing effective strategies for inbox management.

When I began using Spark, I aimed to consolidate the multiple email accounts I oversee for my business. I didn’t want to be overwhelmed by them, so I sought a way to access them easily. This is where utilizing different email applications can be beneficial when done correctly, as many of them provide similar user experiences.

To help you find the email application that fits your needs, here are some essential questions to consider:

• Are you looking for an application that emphasizes collaboration and teamwork?
• Do you prefer to handle emails in batches to maximize efficiency?
• Is security your main concern?
• Would you rather use a traditional email client or one that reinvents the email experience?
• Are you planning to use an existing email account, or do you want a new email address?

Please share your current email client and whether these questions have been useful. Personally, I've been using Spark.

If you’re in search of a completely new email platform and are tired of the usual options from Apple, Google, Microsoft, or Yahoo, consider trying one of these two:

Proton

Proton is highly focused on security and offers personalized plans ranging from $0 to $10/month, with additional business options tailored to your needs. It also includes a suite of applications such as Calendar, VPN, and Drive.

Hey

Hey has a basic price of $99, with various pricing tiers. They provide a unique email address and aim to redefine the email experience. However, you cannot transfer your old email address; instead, you can set up a custom domain. To receive emails from other accounts, you'll need to configure mail forwarding and set up priority screening to manage important messages effectively.

Chapter 2: Email Applications for Enhanced Productivity

The first video, "Think beyond email: Custom apps will transform your inbox," explores how specialized applications can significantly enhance your email experience by offering tailored features designed for productivity and efficiency.

One of my top recommendations is Spark. It stands out because it allows you to select which email accounts appear in your unified inbox. It includes features such as:

• Follow-up reminders
• Email screening

Spark has a robust free tier, while the Pro version is available for $60 annually. Although their recent launch faced some challenges, they have successfully resolved many of the initial issues.

For those prioritizing speed and who have a larger budget, Superhuman is an excellent option. Priced at $30 per month, it facilitates email batch processing and offers numerous keyboard shortcuts for achieving Inbox Zero. It features a clean design and leverages AI to enhance email sorting.

Other options include:

• Thunderbird: An open-source email client that offers extensive customization through plugins, though its interface feels outdated.
• Airmail 3: Mac-exclusive, awarded for design but lacking significant updates since its launch.
• Canary: This app employs AI to assist with composing emails and managing subscriptions efficiently while ensuring security and a clean interface.
• Apple Mail: The default client for Macs, satisfactory for many users.
• Outlook: Commonly used in Microsoft environments, but it has not been my favorite.
• Edison: Features a priority inbox and AI-driven sorting capabilities.

For larger teams, consider Front, which offers shared inboxes and collaboration tools starting at $19/month. Spike transforms email communication into a more conversational format, with plans starting at $5/month.

Missive is an excellent choice for team collaboration, integrating various communication channels beyond just email.

Finally, Polymail provides a range of collaboration tools and starts at $10/month.

I hope this compilation proves helpful. I’d love to hear which email app you prefer!

The second video, "The Best Email Apps for Mac (and why Apple Mail is terrible)," reviews various email applications tailored for Mac users, highlighting their features and shortcomings.