# EssentialPIM vs eM Client

The clearest difference is rating: eM Client at 3.7 against EssentialPIM's 2.6. eM Client also leads on review sentiment (48% vs 21%) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 2 months). EssentialPIM's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

eM Client holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 2.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 48 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 21% of EssentialPIM's written reviews are positive against 48% of eM Client's.

EssentialPIM ships an update every 2 months, eM Client every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | EssentialPIM | eM Client |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.6 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essentialpim/id537150179/reviews) | **[3.7 (48 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/em-client/id1561166404/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 12 | **48** |
| Positive reviews | 21.1% of reviews | **48.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 15 MB | 178 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Astonsoft](https://appshunter.io/developer/397928091) | [eM Client](https://appshunter.io/developer/1561166526) |

## What reviewers say

### EssentialPIM

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essentialpim/id537150179)

Manage your personal information with this comprehensive organizer. It handles calendars, tasks, contacts, and passwords, with seamless synchronization across devices and platforms. Organize tasks hierarchically and securely store sensitive data.

**Highlights:** Calendar management, Task management with hierarchical structure, Contact organization, Secure password storage, Synchronization with Windows version, Synchronization with Google Tasks

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### eM Client

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/em-client/id1561166404)

This app unifies email, calendar, tasks, contacts, and notes into a single, AI-enhanced platform. It offers advanced features typically found on desktop, including instant message translation and robust encryption, for seamless management of multiple accounts on your iPhone and iPad.

**Highlights:** AI-enhanced email drafting and replies, Unified inbox for email, calendar, tasks, contacts, and notes, Instant message translation, PGP and S/MIME encryption, Quick import from desktop app, Mail-tracking pixel detection, Snooze and Undo Send features

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Reliable and customizable
- 🔒 Great privacy and security features
- 👍 Clean and intuitive interface
- 🚀 Smooth and fast performance
- 👍 Seamless sync between desktop and mobile

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Slow email sync and loading issues
- 🐛 Unreliable push notifications and badge counts
- 🐛 Inconsistent behavior compared to other email apps
- 🐛 Bugs and glitches, especially in the initial release
- 🔋 High battery consumption

**Reported bugs**

- Emails not sending immediately
- Drafts not visible or editable
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between folders
- Trouble signing in to multiple Google accounts

**Requested features**

- Calendar integration
- Improved background refresh and sync
- Custom notification sounds
- Ability to sort emails by sender
- More customization options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is EssentialPIM free?

EssentialPIM is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is eM Client free?

eM Client is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, EssentialPIM or eM Client?

eM Client is rated higher. EssentialPIM averages 2.6 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while eM Client averages 3.7 from 48 ratings.

### Do EssentialPIM or eM Client have ads?

Neither EssentialPIM nor eM Client shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, EssentialPIM or eM Client?

EssentialPIM ships an update every 2 months, and eM Client every 10 days. Most recently, EssentialPIM was updated on October 6, 2026 and eM Client on October 15, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*