Fmail2 for Fastmail
After using Gmail for twenty years, I recently decided to move to
a more privacy focused provider I could use with my own domain. I've
finally reached the tipping point with surrendering my data to big tech
in exchange for free services.
I chose Fastmail as my new provider. Fastmail works with just about any email client available. I don't need or want AI capabilities, nor do I have any complicated workflows for email. I use my account purely for personal communications and as a repository for subscriptions. It doesn't make sense for me to use a paid or subscription app for those basic needs, so I opted for a free Fastmail client, Fmail2. This tiny app (8MB) replicates the excellent Fastmail web client and adds a number of features.
- Multiple window support
- Default email client
- Running in the background
- Auto hide
- Tabs
- Dock item with badge
- Swipe support
- Secure
- Notifications
- Status bar menu
- Keyboard shortcuts
There were several reasons I chose Fastmail from among other options.
- Import of mail, calendar, notes, contacts and filters from Gmail
- Label support (folders are also an option)
- Robust SPAM filters
- 50GB of storage - 20 years of Gmail only used 8GB, so I think I'll be fine with 50GB on Fastmail
- Unlimited alias addresses
- Unlimited masked email addresses
- Ongoing import of Gmail
- Discount for family plan
Fmail2 is a 100% Swift app and runs natively on apple silicon. The developer is Arie van Boxel, who is also behind the excellent Startup Manager app.