Mail vs Spark or Alternatives?

[cyb3rdud3]

As a Spark user here, would you care to explain which privacy issues are you referring to? Not hesitating to change if they're serious. Thanks!!

Last time I looked at it, I didn't like that it processes your content on their servers, opposed to locally client side. Sure, by definition email is on servers, but I don't like adding yet another server to read my mail from the mail servers. Totally unnecessary for dealing with email, adds another attack vector, and the content of my mail is none of their business. Some people may like it, but if you value confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your data, it is a big no-no.

And that is before the knowledge that data is stored in the USA and Ukraine; and they work to ISO27001 standards which is meaningless unless they are actually audited and certified.

Nope, no thank you.

 

[jedimasterkyle]

Last time I looked at it, I didn't like that it processes your content on their servers, opposed to locally client side. Sure, by definition email is on servers, but I don't like adding yet another server to read my mail from the mail servers. Totally unnecessary for dealing with email, adds another attack vector, and the content of my mail is none of their business. Some people may like it, but if you value confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your data, it is a big no-no.

And that is before the knowledge that data is stored in the USA and Ukraine; and they work to ISO27001 standards which is meaningless unless they are actually audited and certified.

Nope, no thank you.

Well based on that response, I nuked Spark from my Mac, installed AirMail and setup my Gmail and Hotmail accounts in there and went back to using Mail for iCloud.

Probably the biggest things that annoys me about the Apple Mail app is:

1. No notification sounds within notification settings. Like...really? See screenshot for Mail vs AirMail settings...
   
   
   
2. Folder refresh is non-existent for the Inbox.

However, the pro-privacy stance of Apple's Mail app is hard to ignore and I know it will work seamlessly with my iCloud account.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Well based on that response, I nuked Spark from my Mac, installed AirMail and setup my Gmail and Hotmail accounts in there and went back to using Mail for iCloud.

Probably the biggest things that annoys me about the Apple Mail app is:

1. No notification sounds within notification settings. Like...really? See screenshot for Mail vs AirMail settings...
   View attachment 2451217 View attachment 2451218
2. Folder refresh is non-existent for the Inbox.

However, the pro-privacy stance of Apple's Mail app is hard to ignore and I know it will work seamlessly with my iCloud account.

1. Mail -> Settings -> New Messages Sound
2. Not sure what you mean by 'Folder refresh is non-existent for the Inbox' - but if you manually want to check whether you have new mail Shift+CMD+N or in the menu bar Mailbox -> Get All New Mail. However I would suggest you check why no new mail is coming through automatically and resolve the root cause oppose to the symptom.

 

[Apple_Robert]

For those looking for an alternative to the stock Mail app, take a look at Canary Mail. They have a good privacy policy and mail is stored and kept on your phone.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

For those looking for an alternative to the stock Mail app, take a look at Canary Mail.

Can't even get their website to be compliant with relevant privacy regulations around the world. Definitely wouldn't trust it with the credentials, and content of my emails. 🤣 Even worse than spark 🤷‍♂️

 

[Apple_Robert]

Can't even get their website to be compliant with relevant privacy regulations around the world. Definitely wouldn't trust it with the credentials, and content of my emails. 🤣 Even worse than spark 🤷‍♂️

What are you talking about?

 

[cyb3rdud3]

What are you talking about?

Just look at their website and you'll see. None of the policies match with what they are doing, and don't contain the required legal details either. They are operating in dangerous territory as they could attract fines.

 

[jedimasterkyle]

1. Mail -> Settings -> New Messages Sound

Yeah I've checked that many times. I even have the Mail app turned all the way up on SoundSource but even then, I
get ZERO sound notifications from the Mail app which tells me that it's an issue with Sequoia, not the Mail app.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Yeah I've checked that many times. I even have the Mail app turned all the way up on SoundSource but even then, I
get ZERO sound notifications from the Mail app which tells me that it's an issue with Sequoia, not the Mail app.

View attachment 2451223View attachment 2451226

Hmm odd, it works on my machine. But I don’t use that app to intercept and redirect sound. I would remove that first just to be sure.

 

[jedimasterkyle]

Hmm odd, it works on my machine. But I don’t use that app to intercept and redirect sound. I would remove that first just to be sure.

Looks like this has been an issue for a long time...

No "New Message Sound" in Mail after upgr… - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

 

[SpanishAppleNerd]

Last time I looked at it, I didn't like that it processes your content on their servers, opposed to locally client side. Sure, by definition email is on servers, but I don't like adding yet another server to read my mail from the mail servers. Totally unnecessary for dealing with email, adds another attack vector, and the content of my mail is none of their business. Some people may like it, but if you value confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your data, it is a big no-no.

And that is before the knowledge that data is stored in the USA and Ukraine; and they work to ISO27001 standards which is meaningless unless they are actually audited and certified.

Nope, no thank you.

You do have a point. I may change back to default mail on my iDevices soon. Thanks for giving me food for my thoughts.

 

[jedimasterkyle]

Adding to this thread, I've moved back to Outlook. I got fed up with AirMail constantly bugging me to upgrade to their pro plan. Also didn't like that Spark stored my emails on their servers and Canary was nothing special IMO.

I know there are critics of Outlook but at least it works for what I need which is more than what I can say for Apple Mail right now.

 

[ignatius345]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Mimestream. Works much better for Gmail than Mail does, with full awareness of tags and other Gmail features, using the official Gmail API so it works incredibly smoothly. I use it all day long at work and it makes my life much much easier. The developer is used to work at Apple and according to his bio "was an engineering manager and software engineer at Apple for 7½ years, leading teams working on Mail and Notes." It really shows in the polish of the UI.

The only hitch is that (so far) it only works for Gmail accounts -- though apparently IMAP and other account support is on the roadmap. They're also apparently working on an iOS app.

 

[SpanishAppleNerd]

Adding to this thread, I've moved back to Outlook. I got fed up with AirMail constantly bugging me to upgrade to their pro plan. Also didn't like that Spark stored my emails on their servers and Canary was nothing special IMO.

I know there are critics of Outlook but at least it works for what I need which is more than what I can say for Apple Mail right now.

Same, I migrated back to Outlook too. Tried with Mail, but weirdly it wasn't sending me new email notifications, as somebody else said earlier in this thread

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Mimestream. Works much better for Gmail than Mail does, with full awareness of tags and other Gmail features, using the official Gmail API so it works incredibly smoothly. I use it all day long at work and it makes my life much much easier. The developer is used to work at Apple and according to his bio "was an engineering manager and software engineer at Apple for 7½ years, leading teams working on Mail and Notes." It really shows in the polish of the UI.

The only hitch is that (so far) it only works for Gmail accounts -- though apparently IMAP and other account support is on the roadmap. They're also apparently working on an iOS app.

I find Mimestream excessively expensive for a revamped GMail client

 

[ignatius345]

I find Mimestream excessively expensive for a revamped GMail client

I spend 6 hours a day using Gmail for work so it pays for itself very very quickly in letting me get things done much better than the web interface, or trying to make Mail work. It’s not one of those crappy web based front end apps, it’s a real Mac app.

 

[SaguaroSeven]

The activity in this old thread is sure timely for me. I’ve been using a mix of stock Mail and Spark for years. Now I’m in a 1 mo trial of Airmail (pro). My conclusion is that all the mail apps are fundamentally flawed but in different ways.

Recently tried Airmail again and I think it’s abandonware. It’s feature rich and provides a lot of functions I can’t find elsewhere (view message headers, bounce messages, etc). I have issues with the app locking up (app won’t compose message correctly), some messages get “stuck” (one this happens they will never send; must delete and recreate), and the Focus Inbox does not work. It shows junk, even if I create my own rules — they aren’t followed. Emailed support and got a reply from Steven, but nothing for several days to a second message with more detail. I would pay for this if it worked.

Spark also is an exercise in frustration. I was irritated by the subscription change years back. Don’t pay for the Plus features. Still it doesn’t handle email aliases at all and then the server concerns.

Mimecast is great on Mac, but too $$$ (I made biz expense of a year sub to try out) a year. And this doesn’t help on iDevices.

I’ve warmed to Apple Mail, but it’s just too basic, lacking a features or in other apps.

 

[SpanishAppleNerd]

I spend 6 hours a day using Gmail for work so it pays for itself very very quickly in letting me get things done much better than the web interface, or trying to make Mail work. It’s not one of those crappy web based front end apps, it’s a real Mac app.

I totally get what you say. If it included more types of mail accounts I would consider it. But for now, I will keep using my €3 per month Office 365 Outlook.
I will say that the UI looks very clean and polished, that I must concede

 

[cyb3rdud3]

The activity in this old thread is sure timely for me. I’ve been using a mix of stock Mail and Spark for years. Now I’m in a 1 mo trial of Airmail (pro). My conclusion is that all the mail apps are fundamentally flawed but in different ways.

Recently tried Airmail again and I think it’s abandonware. It’s feature rich and provides a lot of functions I can’t find elsewhere (view message headers, bounce messages, etc). I have issues with the app locking up (app won’t compose message correctly), some messages get “stuck” (one this happens they will never send; must delete and recreate), and the Focus Inbox does not work. It shows junk, even if I create my own rules — they aren’t followed. Emailed support and got a reply from Steven, but nothing for several days to a second message with more detail. I would pay for this if it worked.

Spark also is an exercise in frustration. I was irritated by the subscription change years back. Don’t pay for the Plus features. Still it doesn’t handle email aliases at all and then the server concerns.

Mimecast is great on Mac, but too $$$ (I made biz expense of a year sub to try out) a year. And this doesn’t help on iDevices.

I’ve warmed to Apple Mail, but it’s just too basic, lacking a features or in other apps.

What is so basic about Apple Mail? I'm wondering what I'm missing?

 

[newton4000]

The activity in this old thread is sure timely for me. I’ve been using a mix of stock Mail and Spark for years. Now I’m in a 1 mo trial of Airmail (pro). My conclusion is that all the mail apps are fundamentally flawed but in different ways.

Recently tried Airmail again and I think it’s abandonware. It’s feature rich and provides a lot of functions I can’t find elsewhere (view message headers, bounce messages, etc). I have issues with the app locking up (app won’t compose message correctly), some messages get “stuck” (one this happens they will never send; must delete and recreate), and the Focus Inbox does not work. It shows junk, even if I create my own rules — they aren’t followed. Emailed support and got a reply from Steven, but nothing for several days to a second message with more detail. I would pay for this if it worked.

Spark also is an exercise in frustration. I was irritated by the subscription change years back. Don’t pay for the Plus features. Still it doesn’t handle email aliases at all and then the server concerns.

Mimecast is great on Mac, but too $$$ (I made biz expense of a year sub to try out) a year. And this doesn’t help on iDevices.

I’ve warmed to Apple Mail, but it’s just too basic, lacking a features or in other apps.

what about Outlook?

 

[mindquest]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Mimestream. Works much better for Gmail than Mail does, with full awareness of tags and other Gmail features, using the official Gmail API so it works incredibly smoothly. I use it all day long at work and it makes my life much much easier. The developer is used to work at Apple and according to his bio "was an engineering manager and software engineer at Apple for 7½ years, leading teams working on Mail and Notes." It really shows in the polish of the UI.

The only hitch is that (so far) it only works for Gmail accounts -- though apparently IMAP and other account support is on the roadmap. They're also apparently working on an iOS app.

Another vote here! Works without a hitch and very fast. Been using it since they started and the support has been great.

The UI is what I really love.

 

[Apple_Robert]

$50 a year for email seems rather steep, in my opinion.

 

[MacBH928]

No fans of Thunderbird ?

Emails apps are funny, as something that is most fundamental in the internet world there seems to be very little apps for it. Looks like even in 1998 they had more email apps than today.

 

[mindquest]

$50 a year for email seems rather steep, in my opinion.

Each saas subscription has to be worth it totally agree on that. For me it’s rock solid with multiple Gmail and workspace accounts. Works flawlessly with aliases and the search is super fast. Makes email issues almost nonexistent and lets me GTD.

 

[jedimasterkyle]

No fans of Thunderbird ?

Emails apps are funny, as something that is most fundamental in the internet world there seems to be very little apps for it. Looks like even in 1998 they had more email apps than today.

I love the idea of Thunderbird. I dont love the interface. If I get sick of outlook though, I might give it a real chance.