Alternatives to Kiwi for Gmail
A desktop app for Mac and Windows that runs Gmail and Google Workspace outside the browser. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Kiwi for Gmail
A desktop app for Mac and Windows that runs Gmail and Google Workspace outside the browser.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Kiwi for Gmail.
Mimestream
A native macOS email client built specifically for Gmail using the Gmail API.
Mimestream is a native Mac client built on the Gmail API with full label and filter support, but it runs only on macOS 12 or newer, not Windows.
Shortwave
An email client for Gmail accounts with an AI agent that sorts, writes, searches and schedules.
Shortwave is a Gmail client with an AI agent for sorting, drafting and search on Windows, macOS and mobile, and it processes mail through a hosted AI service.
Superhuman Mail
A keyboard-driven email client for Gmail and Outlook accounts with AI triage and scheduling.
Superhuman Mail is a paid, keyboard-driven web client for Gmail and Outlook accounts with AI triage, instead of Kiwi's dedicated desktop windows for Google Workspace.
Spark Mail
Smart email client that auto-sorts inboxes and drafts AI-powered replies.
Spark Mail works with multiple providers on desktop and mobile, adding automatic inbox categorization and AI replies, with AI and team features on a paid plan.
Mailspring
A desktop mail client with a unified inbox, snooze and send later, whose paid tier adds read receipts.
Mailspring is an open-source GPL-3.0 client for several providers on Windows, macOS and Linux with snooze and send later free, and read receipts on a paid tier.
eM Client
A polished commercial mail, calendar and contacts client for Windows and Mac, with a free tier capped at two accounts.
eM Client supports Gmail and other providers with calendar, tasks and PGP encryption, offers a one-time purchase, and has a free tier capped at two accounts.
Thunderbird
Mozilla’s desktop mail client, with calendar, contacts and a unified inbox, funded by donations rather than ads.
Thunderbird is a free open-source client for Gmail and any other account with calendar and contacts, on Windows, macOS and Linux, without Google Workspace app shortcuts.
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft's email, calendar and contacts app for desktop, mobile and the web.
Microsoft Outlook handles Gmail alongside other accounts with calendar and contacts on desktop, mobile and web, but it drops the quick Google Docs and Drive access.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Kiwi for Gmail as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Checker Plus for Gmail
Reads, deletes and manages Gmail from a browser popup.
Kiwi for Gmail runs Gmail in dedicated Mac and Windows desktop windows instead of a browser popup, and it is paid after the trial.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Gmail
Google's email service, used on the web and through Android and iOS apps.
Simplify Gmail
A browser extension that gives Gmail a cleaner, less cluttered interface.
Boomerang for Gmail
A browser extension adding send-later, email reminders and meeting scheduling to Gmail.
Mailtrack
Adds read receipts to Gmail with double check marks.
