Apple Mail is free and built into macOS, and on Macs with Apple Intelligence it summarises mail on-device. LocalInbox uses the same on-device model and adds a To Reply mailbox, Ask your mailbox with cited sources, phishing warnings that explain why, text search inside image and PDF attachments, categories you describe in your own words, and Send Later and snooze that work while the app is closed. It costs a one-time $19 to $49.
At a glance
| Feature | LocalInbox | Apple Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Price | One-time licence: $19 early access, then $49 | Free with macOS |
| Where AI runs | Apple's on-device model, on your Mac | Apple Intelligence, on-device on supported Macs |
| Surfacing what matters | To Reply mailbox of mail waiting on you | Priority messages at the top of the inbox |
| Categories | Primary, Updates, Promotions and your own, described in words | Apple's fixed categories |
| Accounts | Gmail, iCloud, Yahoo, AOL, Fastmail, Zoho, GMX, Proton Bridge, any IMAP | iCloud, Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, Exchange, any IMAP |
| Platforms | Mac | Mac, iPhone, iPad |
When LocalInbox is the better choice
- You want mail that needs you collected in one place, and newsletters out of the way.
- You want to ask your mailbox a question and see where the answer came from.
- You want phishing explained, and text in attachments searchable.
- You want Undo Send, Send Later, snooze and reminders that work while the app is closed.
When Apple Mail is the better choice
- You need Exchange or Outlook today: LocalInbox's Microsoft sign-in isn't available yet.
- You want the same app on iPhone and iPad.
- You get little mail and don't want to pay for a mail app.
Sources
Facts about Apple Mail were checked in October 2026 and can change; check its website for current prices and features. Facts about LocalInbox come from its own documentation.
Questions
Is LocalInbox more private than Apple Mail?
Both keep your mail between your Mac and your mail provider, and both run AI on-device. LocalInbox also blocks remote images until you allow them and strips tracking pixels and link tracking parameters.
Can I use LocalInbox and Apple Mail together?
Yes. Both connect to your mail server over IMAP, so read state, folders and sent mail stay in step. You can make either one your default mail app.