Comparison

Compose vs Spark Mail

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

Head to head
About

Compose

This app offers a streamlined way to compose and send emails without the distractions of a full inbox. It focuses on a minimalist writing experience, allowing users to quickly draft messages. Email accounts must be pre-configured on the device.

Highlights
  • Minimalist email composition
  • Distraction-free writing environment
  • Quick message drafting
  • Requires device email configuration
Features
Read full description

Compose is a simple little app that lets you send email without being overwhelmed by what's in your inbox. Just open compose and start writing. Currently, Compose requires email accounts to be configured on your device.

About

Spark Mail

Streamline your email and calendar management with an AI-powered assistant. Organize multiple accounts, declutter your inbox with smart sorting, and use AI to draft replies, summarize threads, and manage your schedule efficiently.

Highlights
  • Unified inbox for multiple email accounts
  • AI-powered email summarization and drafting
  • Smart Inbox for prioritizing emails
  • Calendar management and meeting scheduling
  • Gatekeeper for sender screening
  • Team collaboration on emails
  • Integrations with productivity apps
Features
Read full description

Manage priorities, not emails. Spark brings every account into one inbox and automatically surfaces what matters most — so nothing slips through the cracks. Loved by millions and named "Best of the App Store" by Apple. "It's a combination of polish, simplicity, and depth." — FastCompany "You can create an email experience that works for you." — TechCrunch EVERY ACCOUNT, EVERY EMAIL, IN ONE PLACE Connect Gmail, Outlook, iCloud, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail, GMX, and any IMAP account in a single unified inbox. STAY ORGANIZED WITH SMART INBOX Important emails from real people rise to the top. Newsletters and notifications stay neatly grouped below, out of your way. GET MORE DONE WITH EMAIL ESSENTIALS Mark emails as done or set them aside for later Mute threads you're no longer following Schedule emails to send later — even if your device is off Find anything fast with Smart Search and Smart Folders PROTECT YOUR INBOX WITH GATEKEEPER Pre-screen new senders and block unwanted contacts instantly. PRIORITIZE WHAT MATTERS Mark important senders so their emails always stay on top. Group emails by sender or domain to keep your inbox clean. WRITE FASTER WITH SPARK +AI Summarize long threads, draft replies, rephrase messages, and adjust tone. Your AI Assistant helps you clear your inbox, translate emails, and keep projects moving. MANAGE YOUR CALENDAR AND MEETINGS Connect your calendars to stay on top of your day in one app. CONNECT YOUR FAVORITE TOOLS Link Spark to Notion, Asana, Things, and 10+ integrations to act on everything in your inbox. COLLABORATE WITH YOUR TEAM Co-author emails and discuss in private comments Assign messages so everyone knows who owns what Share secure links to specific emails Track read receipts to keep work moving SECURE AND PRIVATE Spark encrypts your data, runs on Google Cloud's secure infrastructure, and is fully GDPR compliant. TRY IT FREE Stick with our powerful free plan, or try Spark Plus or Spark Pro free for 7 days. Download Spark and reclaim your day. FAQ Is Spark the best email app for managing multiple accounts? Spark brings Gmail, Outlook, iCloud, Yahoo, and any IMAP account into one unified inbox, so you can manage every email in one place instead of switching between apps. How is Spark different from Apple Mail and Gmail? Spark helps you focus on what matters, not just read email. It automatically prioritizes messages from real people, keeps newsletters out of the way, and can summarize, draft, and follow up so less falls through the cracks. How does Spark help with email overload? Spark surfaces important messages first, lets you snooze emails until you're ready, and helps you reach Inbox Zero without the grind. Higher plans flag what needs attention so nothing gets missed. Does Spark have AI features? Yes. Spark uses AI to write faster, reply clearly, and summarize threads. On Plus, AI helps you make better inbox decisions. On Pro, it acts on your behalf — drafting, organizing, and following up. Is Spark good for team collaboration? Yes. Teams can share drafts, comment privately, assign messages, and manage shared inboxes — no forwarding chains. Collaboration is available on Pro. Can I schedule emails to send later? Yes. Schedule any email to send at the right time, or snooze incoming messages to return when you're ready. Is Spark free? Yes. Spark is free to download and use. Spark Plus is for professionals who want a more focused inbox; Spark Pro is for those who need Spark to handle follow-through so nothing gets missed. Is Spark available on Mac, iPhone, and iPad? Yes. Spark works on iOS, iPadOS and macOS, and stays in sync across all your devices. Spark is made by Readdle. Terms of Service: https://sparkmailapp.com/legal/terms Privacy Policy: https://sparkmailapp.com/legal/privacy-app Help: support@sparkmailapp.com

Screenshots

Compose1 screens
Spark Mail4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Spark Mail at 4.6 against Compose's 3.9. Spark Mail also leads on ratings volume (83K vs 7) and chart position (#106 vs unranked). Compose's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 17) and iOS requirement (8.1 vs 16.4). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support 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. Spark Mail sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Compose asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Spark Mail holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Spark Mail has 83K ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 67% of Compose's written reviews are positive against 61% of Spark Mail's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Compose versus Spark Mail: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterComposeSpark Mail
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (7 ratings)4.6 (83K ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better61.1% of reviews
Number of ratings783K — better
Update frequency—Weekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#106 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS8.1 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB393 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCluster Labs, Inc.Readdle Technologies Limited

Customer experience

Compose

All ratings7 ratings
Positive71.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative28.6%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Spark Mail

All ratings82,743 ratings
Positive91.2%
Neutral3.3%
Negative5.5%
Written reviews3,178 reviews
Positive61.1%
Neutral10.5%
Negative28.4%

Bugs and requests

Compose

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Spark Mail

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Emails disappearing from the inbox
  • Delayed email delivery and sync
  • Crashes and freezes when opening the app
  • Issues with Exchange calendar and account sync
  • Incorrect email grouping and threading

Requested features

5 requests
  • Improved spam filtering and email blocking
  • Option to disable email threading
  • Better calendar integration and management
  • Customizable email signatures and layouts
  • Expanded third-party app integrations

In-app purchases

None

Compose

No in-app purchases

13 purchases

Spark Mail

Subscriptions10
  • Spark Premium7 Days trial2 variants$7.991 Month
  • Spark Plus Monthly7 Days trial2 variants$10.001 Month
  • Spark Premium7 Days trial$11.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • Spark Pro Monthly7 Days trial$20.001 Month
  • Get Spark Premium7 Days trial$41.991 Year
  • Spark Premium1 Year trial2 variants$59.991 Year
  • Get Spark Premium7 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Spark Plus Annual7 Days trial$99.001 Year
  • Get Spark Premium7 Days trial$119.991 Year
  • Spark Pro Annual7 Days trial$199.001 Year
One-time3
  • Regular Powerbank$4.99
  • Big Powerbank$9.99
  • Huge Powerbank$19.99

Questions

Is Compose free?
Compose is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Spark Mail free?
Spark Mail is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Compose or Spark Mail?
Spark Mail is rated higher. Compose averages 3.9 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Spark Mail averages 4.6 from 83K ratings.
Do Compose or Spark Mail have ads?
Neither Compose nor Spark Mail shows ads.

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