Gmail vs Apple Mail | Find Out Which One is Better
In the email communication, we can say that there are two titans: Gmail and Apple Mail. While one is the Mac’s default email client, and the latter is the most common one for both Mac and Windows OS. Both servers serve the fundamental purpose of sending and receiving emails, while they also provide a very distinct user experience tailored to the users’ requirements and preferences. This comprehensive guide will provide you with complete details on Gmail vs Apple Mail features, privacy, user experience, security, etc to help you determine which one is the best.
We will cover everything you need to know about both apps, along with tips on how to keep the data in Gmail and Apple safe. But before we jump into the comparision, let’s establish what Gmail and Apple Mail are built upon.
Understand Core Differences: Service Vs Client
As we move into the comparision section, it is crucial to understand the fundamental differences between the service and the client.
- Apple Mail: It is an email client pre-installed or default on Apple devices. It integrates with Apple’s iCloud service and can also manage Apple’s cloud Mail service. Additionally, it can be configured to manage emails from other services, such as Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo.
- Gmail: Google offers Gmail primarily as an email service that also functions as an email client. This means Gmail provides the email address and infrastructure for receiving and sending messages. It is accessible via its web interface and dedicated app on any platform.
This difference means that you can use IMAP/SMTP for Apple Mail to access the Gmail account, but you cannot use Gmail to access the iCloud Mail directly from the Gmail web interface.
Feature Set: Gmail vs Apple Mail
Now, let’s go into the core features of Gmail and Apple Mail that every user should know before using them. From the interface to the storage, all the details are here to find the difference between Apple Mail and Gmail.
User Interface and Experience
Both platforms prioritise ease of use, but they have different approaches:
- Gmail: The interface, while intuitive, can be functional and less minimalist than Apple Mail. As it offers extensive features and integrations. We can easily switch between multiple Gmail accounts.
- Apple Mail: It offers a sleek and minimal design, which makes the user navigate, especially new users. Apple Mail traditionally lack the customisation options; however, the upcoming iOS 18 updates are bringing up more organised features like AI-generated email overview, other categories, and Digest View, which groups emails from a single sender.
Note: While Apple Mail offers a clean interface with strong privacy features, users may face some technical issues. If you are experiencing any issues with the search, check out the guide – Apple Mail search not working to troubleshoot.
Gmail vs Apple Mail: Security and Privacy Features
One of the major requirements of an email client is how good the security is. Let’s find that out.
- Gmail: Google employs advanced AI and machine learning to detect and block phishing attacks, spam and malware. Other robust security measures are two-step verification and industry-standard encryption for data at rest and transit.
- Apple Mail: Apple offers a strong stance on users’ privacy. With the end-to-end encryption for iCloud Mail, however, if you have an email service configured in the client, it does not apply. More importantly, Apple does not read or analyse the emails to target ads to you, unlike other email clients that scan emails.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
We will examine the cross-platform availability of both the service, highlighting the freedom users have to access emails from any device.
- Gmail: As a known fact that Gmail excels in cross-platform compatibility. It can be accessed via a web browser on any OS (Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS) and also has dedicated apps for iOS and Android. This makes it a good choice for users who access Gmail via different devices.
- Apple Mail: The default application is for Apple devices. It can only be accessed in the Apple ecosystem. It seamlessly integrates with macOS, iOS and iPadOS. It can be configured with other non-Apple email accounts; its full features are better experienced on Apple devices.
Pro Tip: If Apple Mail ever get worked up, check out the article: Why Apple Mail is So Slow?
Gmail vs Apple Mail: Offline Access
Both application has offline capabilities.
Gmail: The Gmail app for Web and mobile allows for offline access to recently synced emails. The user can read, compose, and send emails, which will be queued and sent once the internet connection is established. To turn on the offline mode in Gmail, the user must follow these steps:
- Go to Gmail in Chrome.
- Click the gear icon > See all settings.
- Navigate to the Offline tab.
- Check Enable offline mail.
- Choose how many days of messages to store
- Click Save Changes.
Apple Mail: Since Apple Mail is a native application, it has a robust offline capability. It downloads and stores the emails locally on the device, allowing you to access and manage the files without an internet connection. For more details, visit: Where is mail storage on Mac?
Storage Space and Pricing
- Gmail: The Free version of Gmail comes with 15GB of free storage, which is collectively shared in Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. It has an upgrade plan for business and advanced user requirements, which starts from $7 per month. As you upgrade, you will get a significant offer. This paid plan comes with significantly more storage space, from 30GB to 5TB, depending on the plan, customer support, 24/7 premium support, etc.
- Apple Mail: In iCloud Mail, Apple provides 5GB of free iCloud storage, which is shared across Mail, backup, iCloud Drive, and iCloud Photos. To increase storage, users can subscribe to iCloud+ plans. The plans include 50GB, 200GB, 2TB, 6TB, or 12TB of storage along with other advanced features. Pricing for iCloud+ in the US starts at $0.99 for 50GB, $2.99 for 200GB, and $9.99 for 2TB per month.
Customizability
- Gmail: Gmail is known for its higher degree of customisation for its interface. The user can choose a theme, create filters, adjust display density, manage emails, etc. Moreover, the third-party add-ons and extensions expand its customizability.
- Apple Mail: Apple Mail provides a clean and functional interface, but its customisation options are limited and primarily focus on email sorting. However, the “Apple Intelligence in Mail App” features and new categorisation options, as we discussed earlier, indicate a better personalised organisation within the app.
Recommendation for Backup: Gmail vs Apple Mail
Use the Gmail Backup Tool to extract the emails from a Google Mail account to different file formats. It allows you to securely download the emails from the account to your local hard drive or any other preferred storage location. With this, users can safeguard their email from any accidental deletion, service outage, etc.
To back up Apple Mail to external hard drive, use the Apple Mail Converter. With this tool, users can create a backup of their emails, attachments, and mailbox structure in a universally accepted file format.
Conclusion
Both email client has their feature that provide simple and advanced email management. In essence, Gmail is a powerful, feature-rich email service suited for users who want advanced, productive tools and seamless integration with the broader Google ecosystem. On the other hand, Apple Mail is an elegant and highly integrated email client that excels in simplicity, privacy and a unified experience in the Apple world.