A Mimestream alternative that keeps the real Gmail

Mimestream is a well-made native Mac client that talks to Gmail over the API and presents its own, reimagined interface. It's fast and Mac-like. But two things send people looking for an alternative: it's a subscription, and because it's a rebuilt client, it isn't the Gmail you actually use, some Gmail features and the familiar layout aren't there.

Smails takes the opposite approach. It loads Gmail's own web interface in a tiny native shell, so you get the real thing, every label, filter, search operator, and setting, with all your accounts a click apart. And you pay once.

The real Gmail, not a reinterpretation

With Smails it is Gmail: the same interface, the same features, the same keyboard shortcuts, nothing to relearn and nothing missing. Mimestream's native UI is great if you want a different take on email; Smails is for people who like Gmail and just want it in a fast Mac window with every account together.

Pay once, not every year

Mimestream is a yearly subscription. Smails is $9.99, one time, free with one account and a single payment to add as many as you like. No renewal, free updates.

Both are native and light

This isn't an Electron-vs-native story, both are native and lightweight. The real difference is real Gmail + pay once (Smails) versus a rebuilt client + subscription (Mimestream).

Smails vs Mimestream