Mail Pilot started out in 2012 as a web app. Then it became available natively on iOS in 2013, and on Mac early last year. Its founders call it “the email client reimagined from the ground up.” What sets Mail Pilot apart is the focus on tasks. Emails are nearly always action-based, and Mail Pilot found a way to grow around that in a new, intuitive way.
Today, Mindsense released Mail Pilot 2, available for iPhone and iPad. It has an enhanced way to navigate the app, better gestures, and iCloud Sync, Mail Pilot is more than a worthy contender against Apple Mail. The interface is a joy to use, and I find myself flicking my emails to delete, archive, or move into lists just because I can. The one gesture I find a little cumbersome is swiping down on the navbar to access my other mailboxes. More than once have I accidentally opened Notification Centre instead. But 2.0 is the much-desired sequel to an app that felt like a pre-release; it’s more polished and mature. Even the delightful new themes are stunning.
My theme of choice. (There’s also red, white, green, and orange)
Similar to other apps you can set reminders for emails, categorize them into lists (though not unique, it’s a much more refined experience than other email apps), archive and save for later. What I like is that even with multiple accounts added everything will appear together. But it also treats your emails as tasks, where marking as “complete” will archive them.
While the app is a pretty great update, the price is a pretty major drawback. At $9.99 (discounted to $7.99 as an introductory sale), it’s certainly a more expensive option. But for those wanting complete control over everything to do with their emails, I highly recommend it.