# Spark Mail vs Mail App for Gmail

The clearest difference is monetization model: Spark Mail at free with in-app purchases against Mail App for Gmail's subscription. Spark Mail also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 5 weeks) and review sentiment (61% vs 39%). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Spark Mail sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and Mail App for Gmail sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Spark Mail against 4.6 for Mail App for Gmail. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Spark Mail has 83K ratings behind it against 9.5K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 61% of Spark Mail's written reviews are positive against 39% of Mail App for Gmail's.

Spark Mail ships an update weekly, Mail App for Gmail every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Spark Mail | Mail App for Gmail |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (83K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spark-mail-ai-email-assistant/id997102246/reviews)** | [4.6 (9.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mail-app-for-gmail/id1462419097/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **83K** | 9.5K |
| Positive reviews | **61.1% of reviews** | 39.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | **#104** | #181 |
| Size | 393 MB | 31 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Readdle Technologies Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/285035419) | [Bloop LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1460809170) |

## What reviewers say

### Spark Mail

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spark-mail-ai-email-assistant/id997102246)

**Currently charting:** #104 Top Grossing · Productivity (US App Store)

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:** Family Sharing, Apple Wallet, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Spark Premium | $7.99 | per month |
| Spark Plus Monthly | $10.00 | per month |
| Spark Premium | $11.99 | per month |
| Spark Pro Monthly | $20.00 | per month |
| Get Spark Premium | $41.99 | per year |
| Spark Premium | $59.99 | per year |
| Get Spark Premium | $59.99 | per year |
| Spark Plus Annual | $99.00 | per year |
| Get Spark Premium | $119.99 | per year |
| Spark Pro Annual | $199.00 | per year |
| Regular Powerbank | $4.99 | one-time |
| Big Powerbank | $9.99 | one-time |
| Huge Powerbank | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent email management features
- 👍 Clean and intuitive user interface
- 📂 Effective email organization and categorization
- ⏱️ Efficient workflow with snooze, scheduling, and templates
- 💻 Seamless cross-device experience

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional sync and stability issues
- 🔒 Concerns over privacy and data usage
- 💰 Aggressive push for paid subscription
- 📥 Unreliable notification delivery
- 🔍 Inconsistent search functionality

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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


### Mail App for Gmail

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mail-app-for-gmail/id1462419097)

**Currently charting:** #181 Top Grossing · Productivity (US App Store)

This app offers a streamlined experience for managing your Gmail inbox, focusing on quick triage and instant message sending/receiving. It boasts a fast, reliable performance, especially on VPNs, and a beautiful, animated interface.

**Highlights:** Fast email management tools, Multiple actions for inbox tasks, Reliable VPN performance, Instant sync via HTTPS, Beautiful custom animation engine, Real-time inbox monitoring

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Pro | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $79.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and easy to use
- 👍 Clear and intuitive interface
- 💡 Helpful for managing multiple accounts
- 🚀 Efficient email management

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional freezing and crashing issues
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🔒 Concerns about data privacy and security
- 🙄 Annoying pop-ups and ads

**Reported bugs**

- Login issues and account authentication problems
- Syncing and email loading delays
- Inability to send emails in some cases

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Improved notification system
- Better integration with other email services
- Bulk email management tools


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Spark Mail free?

Spark Mail is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Mail App for Gmail free?

Mail App for Gmail is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Spark Mail or Mail App for Gmail?

Spark Mail is rated higher. Spark Mail averages 4.6 out of 5 from 83K ratings, while Mail App for Gmail averages 4.6 from 9.5K ratings.

### Do Spark Mail or Mail App for Gmail have ads?

Neither Spark Mail nor Mail App for Gmail shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Spark Mail or Mail App for Gmail?

Spark Mail ships an update weekly, and Mail App for Gmail every 5 weeks. Most recently, Spark Mail was updated on October 29, 2026 and Mail App for Gmail on October 29, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Spark Mail or Mail App for Gmail?

Spark Mail currently peaks at #104 in the App Store charts, and Mail App for Gmail at #181. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*