Apple Mail vs Gmail: Exploring Features and Functionality
An important distinction to make at the start of this comparison is that Apple Mail is an email client, whereas Gmail is an email service. While Apple Mail is an app that works with most mailbox services, Gmail is a mailbox provider that supports a range of email clients.
This comparison breaks down two popular products: Apple Mail, a default choice for Apple users, and Gmail, an email behemoth with a massive user base and multi-device support.
Below, we’ll do a deep dive into the Apple Mail vs Gmail battle to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and key features.
What is Apple Mail?
Apple Mail, also known as Mail, is an email client developed by Apple. It comes pre-installed on Apple’s macOS and iOS devices, including Macs, iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches.
The app allows users to manage their email accounts from providers such as iCloud, Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, and others, all within a single interface. Apple Mail offers features like customizable mailboxes, rich formatting, and integration with other Apple services like Siri and iCloud.
In 2023, Apple introduced “Apple Intelligence,” adding a range of new Apple Mail AI features to the popular client.
With its user-friendly design and seamless integration across Apple devices, Apple Mail is a popular choice for managing email communication efficiently.
Apple Mail: Features
Apple Mail users get these unique features:
| Feature | What is it for? |
|---|---|
| Multiple account support | Manage multiple email accounts from different providers within one interface. |
| Smart mailboxes | Automatically organize virtual mailboxes based on specific criteria. |
| Search | Efficiently find emails using various search criteria. |
| VIPs | Prioritize emails from important contacts. |
| Attachments | Manage email attachments easily. |
| Junk mail filtering | Basic spam filtering to protect inboxes. |
| iCloud integration | Sync emails, contacts, and calendars across Apple devices. |
| Mail Drop | Send large attachments without size limitations. |
| Markup | Add annotations, drawings, or signatures to emails and attachments. |
| Handoff | Continue email tasks on different Apple devices seamlessly. |
| Focus | Prioritize important emails and minimize distractions. |
| Mail Privacy Protection | Protects email privacy by hiding IP address, email opens, and location. |
| End-to-end encryption | Optional security feature using PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) for encrypted emails. |
Does Apple Have an Email Service?
We’ve discussed Apple Mail as a client, but if you’re wondering whether Apple offers email services, the answer is yes.
iCloud Mail is Apple’s free email service. It’s integrated seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem, making it easy to use on iPhones, iPads, Macs, and even on the web.
Key features of iCloud Mail include:
- A free email address: Users get an email address ending in “@icloud.com.”
- Support across Apple devices: Seamlessly access emails across all Apple devices.
- Browser access: Users can check emails on any computer with a web browser.
Note that you don’t need an Apple device to set up and operate an iCloud Mail account.
Everything You Need to Know About Gmail
Gmail is a free email service developed by Google. It is widely recognized for its user-friendly interface and robust features. The service currently offers users 15 GB of storage, enabling them to store a large number of emails and attachments.
It’s easy to find specific emails thanks to Gmail’s powerful search capabilities. Gmail itself automatically sorts emails into categories like Primary, Social, and Promotions.
Gmail’s spam filters are highly effective; using machine learning, they nuke over 100 million spam emails each day. With its focus on security, Gmail offers two-factor authentication and machine learning-based protection against phishing emails and malware.
While its web version is the most popular option, Gmail also offers apps for Android, iOS, and iPadOS.
Gmail: Full Feature List
Gmail provides all the features people would want from a robust mailbox platform:
| Gmail features | How it helps users |
|---|---|
| Large storage | Offers generous storage space for emails. |
| Labeling system | Organizes emails using labels instead of folders. |
| Powerful search | Advanced search capabilities for finding specific emails. |
| Priority Inbox | Prioritizes important emails through categorization. |
| Spam protection | Protects users from spam and phishing attacks. |
| Offline access | Access emails offline through the Gmail app. |
| Smart Compose | Suggests text completions while composing emails. |
| Undo Send | Allows users to recall sent emails within a short timeframe. |
| Confidential Mode | Protects sensitive email content with added security measures. |
| Integrations | Integrate with a variety of Google services. |
| AI-powered features | Utilizes artificial intelligence for enhanced email experience. |
| Two-factor authentication | Enhances account security with two-factor verification. |
| Encryption | Protects email content during transmission with TLS encryption. |
| Data protection | Implements strict data protection policies. |
Apple Mail vs Gmail: Overview of Differences
This table explains the differences between Apple Mail and Gmail at a glance:
| Feature | Apple Mail | Gmail |
|---|---|---|
| Type of product | Email client | Mailbox provider |
| Developer | Apple | |
| Platform | macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS | Web, Android, iOS, iPadOS |
| Storage | Depends on email provider (iCloud, Gmail, etc) | 15 GB free storage |
| Email provider | Supports multiple (iCloud, Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook) | Primarily Gmail accounts, but supports others |
| User interface | Integrated with the Apple ecosystem | Web-based, minimalistic design |
| Search capabilities | Basic search with filters | Advanced search with operators |
| Spam filtering | On-device filtering plus mail provider-level filtering | Advanced machine learning-based filtering |
| Integration | ‣ iCloud files, ‣ iCloud Mail, ‣ iCloud Contacts, ‣ iCloud Calendar, ‣ Siri. | ‣ Google Drive, ‣ Google Calendar, ‣ Google Contacts, ‣ Google Photos, ‣ Google Keep. |
| Security features | Mail Privacy Protection | Two-factor authentication, phishing protection |
| Customization | Customizable mailboxes, rich formatting | Labels, filters, and categories |
| Offline access | ✅ | ✅ |
| Advanced features | Apple Intelligence, Markup for attachments | Smart Compose, Priority Inbox |
| Protocols supported | IMAP, POP3, MS Exchange | IMAP, POP3, MS Exchange |
Apple Mail or Gmail: Which One is Better?
Choosing between Apple Mail and Gmail ultimately depends on specific needs and the ecosystem the user is most comfortable with.
For those deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem and who value privacy, seamless integration, and offline access, Apple Mail might be the better choice.
On the other hand, if users prefer a web-based email client with advanced search capabilities, integration with a wide range of Google services, and great security — Gmail is likely the better option.
Below, we explain the differences between the two in different aspects.
1. User Interface and Experience
Apple Mail is integrated seamlessly into macOS, iOS, and watchOS. It has a user-friendly design with a familiar Apple aesthetic. The app is deeply integrated with other Apple services like Siri and iCloud.
It is ideal for users heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem.
Gmail’s biggest strength is that it offers a web-based interface accessible from any device with internet access. It has a clean, minimalist design focused on ease of use and efficiency. Users get labels, filters, and categories for organizing emails.
The service supports Integration with Google services like Google Drive, Calendar, Photos, and more.
2. Storage and Capacity
As Apple Mail is an email client, the storage space depends on the email provider (for example, iCloud offers 5 GB for free). The app lets users add multiple email accounts from different providers.
Comparatively, Gmail offers 15 GB of free storage shared across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. Additional storage can be bought through Google One subscriptions.
3. Advanced Features
Apple Mail supports customizable mailboxes and advanced formatting options. It gives users markup tools for annotating attachments. Users can even mark senders as VIPs to prioritize important emails. Apple Mail supports integration with macOS and iOS features like Handoff and Continuity.
Apple recently announced that a range of AI features, clubbed under Apple Intelligence, would transform the Mail app to make it more user-friendly and intuitive. The company even added tabs like the ones Gmail offers.
In Gmail, users get labels, filters, and search operators for efficient email organization. Like Apple Mail, Gmail has AI features now — Smart Compose and Smart Reply — which expedite email drafting. The inbox has a “Priority Inbox” label to highlight important emails.
Gmail also lets you give user permissions to your email management virtual assistant without risking your mailbox security.
4. Ecosystem
Apple Mail seamlessly integrates with Apple’s ecosystem, including macOS, iOS, watchOS, and iCloud.
It works well with other Apple applications like Notes, Reminders, and Calendar.
Gmail features deep integration with Google’s ecosystem, including Google Drive, Calendar, Docs, and Photos. Gmail allows access from any device with internet connectivity, making it platform-agnostic.
The security aspect of both these products deserves its own section; check out the details below.
Security Features on Apple Mail and Gmail
Both Gmail and Apple Mail provide impressive security features. Gmail focuses heavily on advanced, automated threat detection and user alerts, while Apple Mail emphasizes privacy and seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem.
Check out the robust measures implemented by Apple Mail and Gmail below.
How Secure is Apple Mail?
Apple has added these features to Apple Mail to ensure a safe experience:
- End-to-End Encryption: Supports S/MIME (Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) for sending encrypted emails.
- Mail Privacy Protection: Blocks tracking pixels and hides IP addresses to prevent senders from knowing when and where an email was opened.
- Secure login options: Uses iCloud Keychain to store and manage email account passwords securely.
- Spam filtering: This relies on the email provider’s filtering mechanisms to identify and filter out spam and junk mail. However, the app does learn from user actions to filter future emails.
- Data privacy: Emails and attachments are stored securely, with data protection features provided by Apple’s ecosystem.
- Integration with Apple ecosystem: Leverages Apple’s broader security infrastructure, such as Face ID, Touch ID, and hardware-level security on Apple devices.
Note that all of these security features are implemented locally on the Apple device. This is a second layer, as the mailbox provider has its own set of anti-spam/security features.
Security Features on Gmail
Gmail is renowned for its security features; this list explains how messages remain protected:
- Two-factor authentication (2FA): Adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to verify their identity using a second form of authentication, such as a code sent to their phone.
- Confidential Mode: Allows users to send emails with expiration dates, and restricts the recipient’s ability to forward, copy, download, or print the email.
- Machine learning-based filters: Uses machine learning to identify and filter out phishing attempts, spam, and malware. This includes detecting suspicious activity and blocking potentially harmful emails.
- Encrypted emails: Supports TLS (also known as SSL/Secure Sockets Layer) encryption for emails in transit, ensuring messages are secure between email servers.
- Security alerts: Sends alerts for suspicious login attempts or unusual activity, helping users take immediate action to secure their accounts.
- Advanced phishing/malware protection: Continuously updates its phishing and malware detection systems to protect against the latest threats.
Both Apple and Gmail are highly committed to email security and data privacy, which is a win-win situation for email users.
Email Marketing 101: How to Reach Apple Mail and Gmail Inboxes
Both Apple and Gmail are hyper-focused on creating a spam-free experience for users. While Apple’s Mail Privacy Protection protects users from spammers tracking their activities, Gmail’s Primary Inbox helps users declutter their inboxes.
These features may pose a challenge for email senders, but it’s in everyone’s best interest to work together to defeat spam. For you email marketers, the secret to consistently reaching your subscribers’ inboxes on both Apple Mail and Gmail is to focus on your email deliverability.
2024 Guide to Inbox Placement on Apple Mail and Gmail
These guidelines will ensure you achieve good deliverability rates:
- Implement a segmentation strategy: Group your subscribers based on demographics, behavior, and preferences to send more targeted emails.
- List hygiene is important: Remove inactive subscribers, invalid email addresses, and those who have unsubscribed.
- Use security protocols: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC help verify that your emails are not forged and improve your reputation with ISPs.
- Craft good subject lines: Avoid spammy language and use personalized, relevant subject lines.
- Follow email design best practices: Ensure your emails are not overly image-heavy and include enough text.
- Write clear Calls-to-Action (CTAs): Make it easy for recipients to understand what action to take.
- Use email personalization: Use subscriber data to personalize emails, which can improve engagement and reduce the likelihood of being marked as spam.
- Track campaign metrics: High engagement rates signal to ISPs that your emails are wanted.
- Avoid being a spam email sender: Keep an eye on how many recipients mark your emails as spam and take corrective action.
- Comply with unsubscribe laws: Adhere to CAN-SPAM and GDPR, and provide an easy unsubscribe option.
- A/B test your emails: Experiment with different subject lines, content, and sending times to see what works best.
- Warm up email domain: If you are sending from a new IP address/domain, start with a low volume of emails and gradually increase to build a good sending reputation.
- Use a reputed ESP: A reputable ESP will have built-in tools and best practices to help with deliverability.
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Campaign Refinery: Email Marketing Success with Apple Mail and Gmail
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- Strict anti-spam policies: Campaign Refinery screens customers before onboarding them plus we monitor activities for spammy behavior.
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