Comparison

Email Backgrounds Lite vs Emma Email

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Email Backgrounds Lite

Create beautiful HTML email backgrounds, stationery, and templates to make your messages stand out. Compatible with popular email clients, this app offers live previews, direct message editing, and font styling. Easily share your designs via SMS or social media.

Highlights
  • Live Theme Preview
  • Direct Message Editing
  • Real-Time Font Styling
  • Emoji Support
  • Custom Fonts
  • QR Code Mobile Transfer
  • Font Customization
Features
Read full description

Notice: This free version adds a small “Powered by EmailBackgrounds.com” branding to exported themes and includes 15 fonts. Upgrade to Pro to remove branding, unlock 84 premium fonts, and use your own custom fonts. Your Source for Beautiful Email Backgrounds & Stationery Make every email special with Email Backgrounds. Create stunning HTML email backgrounds, stationery, themes, and templates designed to elevate your message—whether you’re sending a thank-you note, invitation, or everyday email. Email Backgrounds helps your emails stand out while keeping them compatible with popular email clients and webmail services. Compatible with: Mac Mail, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Outlook, Windows Mail, AOL, and other webmail clients. Key Features: • Live Theme Preview – Hover over any thumbnail to instantly preview the design • Direct Message Editing – Type your message directly onto the background • Real-Time Font Styling – Font style and size update instantly while you write • Emoji Support – Add expressive emojis to your messages • Custom Fonts – Install and use your own fonts inside the app • QR Code Mobile Transfer – Design on desktop, scan the QR code, and send from your mobile Gmail app • 15 Handwriting Fonts Included – Upgrade to Pro for more fonts or add your own • Font Customization – Adjust color, size, and alignment (left, center, right) • Favorites – Save backgrounds for quick access later • History – Re-edit or reuse past designs anytime • Easy Sharing – Share via SMS or social media with a link • Clipboard & Composer Support – Copy backgrounds or push directly to your email composer Enjoy seamless use across iPhone, iPad, iMac, and macOS desktop with a single purchase.

About

Emma Email

A minimalist email client focused on speed and simplicity to help users achieve inbox zero. It offers a clean interface and thoughtful defaults to reduce clutter and boost productivity. Currently supports multiple Gmail accounts on iPhone.

Highlights
  • Minimalist design
  • Inbox zero focus
  • Fast and speed-optimized
  • Reduces clutter
  • Supports multiple Gmail accounts
  • Clean interface
Features
Read full description

Emma is a Newton-inspired email client for iPhones. Your inbox has a bottom. Fewer features and less spam get you there. WORKS WITH GMAIL AND OUTLOOK (ICLOUD COMING) As many accounts as you need. ONE-TAP UNSUBSCRIBE Tap once and tomorrow's inbox is lighter. READ RECEIPTS Know when your emails are read. TEXTED 2FA CODES Emailed two-factor codes are sent to you via text message for easy prefill. SET ASIDE Emma has a single non-inbox folder for emails that aren't actionable today. TRUE DARK MODE Dark themed app, dark themed emails. PRIVACY Emma does not persist your emails. Full stop. NOT INCLUDED AI, calendar, chat, snooze, templates. Emma is devoted to the closure found at the bottom of your inbox. She never sends you email. Not even a welcome email.

Screenshots

Email Backgrounds Lite4 screens
Emma Email4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Emma Email at 4.6 against Email Backgrounds Lite's 3.0. Emma Email also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and review sentiment (71% vs 52%). Email Backgrounds Lite's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Emma Email holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Emma Email has 11 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of Email Backgrounds Lite's written reviews are positive against 71% of Emma Email's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Email Backgrounds Lite ships an update every 2 months, Emma Email weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Email Backgrounds Lite versus Emma Email: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEmail Backgrounds LiteEmma Email
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (2 ratings)4.6 (11 ratings) — better
Positive reviews51.8% of reviews71.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings211 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB56 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMy App Catalog LLCCastle Labs LLC

Customer experience

Email Backgrounds Lite

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews112 reviews
Positive51.8%
Neutral15.2%
Negative33.0%

Emma Email

All ratings11 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative9.1%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative28.6%

Bugs and requests

Email Backgrounds Lite

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • App malfunctions frequently
  • App doesn't load
  • Error messages about server connection
  • App crashes while typing, losing data
  • Cannot send emails
Show 7 more
  • Backgrounds do not appear for recipients
  • App freezes or closes unexpectedly
  • Back button stops working
  • Text style options do not work
  • App opens App Store when recipient touches email
  • Backgrounds disappear when sending
  • Cannot download app

Requested features

9 requests
  • More adult/elegant themes
  • Ability to use own backgrounds
  • More font choices and colors
  • Stickers to add to backgrounds
  • Seasonal/holiday updates
Show 4 more
  • Abstract backgrounds
  • Marble or sky view backgrounds
  • Animation options
  • How-to section or tutorial

Emma Email

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Email Backgrounds Lite

No in-app purchases

None

Emma Email

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Email Backgrounds Lite free?
Email Backgrounds Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Emma Email free?
Emma Email is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Email Backgrounds Lite or Emma Email?
Emma Email is rated higher. Email Backgrounds Lite averages 3.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Emma Email averages 4.6 from 11 ratings.
Do Email Backgrounds Lite or Emma Email have ads?
Neither Email Backgrounds Lite nor Emma Email shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Email Backgrounds Lite or Emma Email?
Email Backgrounds Lite ships an update every 2 months, and Emma Email weekly. Most recently, Email Backgrounds Lite was updated on October 13, 2026 and Emma Email on October 5, 2026.

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