You might love your iPhone but have a serious issue with its in-built email app. While, as a basic platform, it stands up to scrutiny, if you need something more feature-rich, you run a business, or want greater functional and additional storage space, then it’s probably a good idea to consider an alternative.
We round up some of the best options below and why you could be better off switching to a new email client.
Spike
This innovative email app boasts a huge range of features and is perfect for either home or business use. Spike fuses the ease of instant messaging with ‘traditional’ email functionality, meaning that conversation threads are uncluttered and easy to read. This format makes for a much more ‘natural’ discussion: the team chat tool is useful, too, to help colleagues collaborate and share information without needing to send the same message to numerous recipients.
While the iPhone’s built-in mail app is feature-limited, Spike is packed with them: a smart in-box separates high-priority messages from less urgent ones, while the advanced search tool makes finding the email you need a breeze. Even better, the app comes with integrated voice messaging, allowing you to record and share a voice message in-app: when you’re pushed for time, this is a much speedier option than typing, and these audio messages can even replace meetings as a way of imparting relevant information.
Gmail
This extremely popular app will give you access to Gsuite, a powerful collection of tools that includes Google Drive and Google Docs. Rather than be limited by storage capacity, these cloud-based features allow for plenty of storage, as well as the ability to collaborate, edit, and save files online.
One of the main advantages of Gmail is that it’s compatible with all devices, so whether you want to use it on an android device, Windows, or even a Mac, you’re good to go. Plus, if you use Chrome, you can sync your email to this browser, meaning, if desired, your browsing history and password and log-in information for sites can be saved for convenience.
Many users love the vast customization options that Gmail affords. Create a space that works for you by changing, for example, the theme, font, buttons, and even how emails are displayed on-screen.
Microsoft Outlook
Another very well-known email client, Outlook, comes loaded as standard as part of the Windows package. Its main advantage is that it’s very user-friendly and easy to navigate: you’ll be able to get up and running with it in minutes.
Its shared calendar function is great for both home and work use, allowing you to set and share reminders and tasks so that everyone is kept in the loop and knows what needs to be done and when. You are also able to log in to your Outlook account from any device, whether mobile or desktop, and automatic sign-in can be set if desired.
Finally, Microsoft is known for the security of its servers. Anti-phishing and spam filters help to ensure that only credible, safe emails get through to your inbox, and all incoming mail is scanned for keywords that are commonly used in malicious attacks.
Spark
This app benefits from a highly intuitive interface, which makes managing and organizing your emails easy: important emails are identified, while less urgent ones are stored elsewhere to deal with later, so you don’t have the hassle of an overloaded, cluttered inbox.
Spark features a nifty little tool that lets you invite colleagues (or friends) to begin a private discussion in connection to a specific thread or email. It also boasts a collaborative feature that makes creating emails together possible. The app integrates with several platforms, including Dropbox, Box, and the iCloud drive, for a seamless workflow.
However, this app doesn’t come without its fair share of downsides. By all accounts, their privacy policy is problematic, and it’s next to impossible to opt out, leaving your information free and available for third parties to access. In 2022, this is a big no-no.
Zoho Mail
Not as well known as the other email apps on this list, Zoho Mail is still a great alternative to the iPhone's in-built email platform, especially for businesses, due to the richness and variety of its features. Its productivity-enhancing approach and range of collaborative tools make this email client stand out; plus, it’s optimized for iPad, meaning that you can use a quick swipe to, for example, move, delete, and manage messages.
Zoho Mail can work in tandem with Apple Pencil and Apple Watch, too, and has an integrated calendar and offline functionality.
Airmail
Another lesser-known alternative to iPhone’s email app, but well worth checking out, Airmail is compatible on all devices, including Mac. The fact that the app won the Apple Design Award in 2017 suggests the high quality of its interface and arsenal of useful tools.
Users can add as many accounts as they require, and plug-ins can easily be added to access additional unique features. The Gmail keyboard shortcuts are a handy perk, and Airmail’s ability to integrate with productivity-boosting platforms like Trello and Evernote makes it perfect for those running a small business or who manage a team.
And for those with coding experience, Airmail allows the user to compose messages in Markdown or HTML, opening a side window for previewing the message while it takes shape.