MailMaven from SmallCubed is the email app many Mac users have been waiting for. It does all the things you expect of a full-featured email client but goes way beyond simple tools like Apple Mail, Microsoft Outlook, and Thunderbird (to say nothing of web-based email apps). With MailMaven, you once again have complete control over your email, with a deeply customizable interface and a long list of power-user features wrapped up in a friendly, easy-to-understand interface. (Plus, it’s powered by human intelligence—no AI here!)
Take Control publisher Joe Kissell, who previously wrote several books about Apple Mail but has felt increasingly frustrated by its deficiencies, has been working with the SmallCubed team for several years as they developed MailMaven—offering design input, feedback, and countless hours of testing to help turn it in to the email app of his dreams. This task-oriented book reflects both his affection for the app and his deep understanding of its inner workings.
MailMaven isn’t free, but thanks to the generous sponsorship of SmallCubed, this book is! It picks up where the app’s own documentation (which Joe also wrote) leaves off, helping you make the most of the app’s seemingly endless array of options. You’ll learn about things like:
- Finding your way around the app and learning its user interface
- Using extensive tagging tools (including keywords, review dates, projects, background colors, and more) to mark and later locate messages
- Syncing tags across multiple Macs
- Following complex message threads with the Conversation Map
- Creating and using smart mailboxes
- Incorporating rules into your workflow for both incoming and outgoing messages, plus on-demand keystroke rules
- Working with templates to provide boilerplate text, automatically updating variables, and more
- Customizing your signature in ways you never imagined
- How to migrate from Apple Mail
- Connecting MailMaven to your IMAP, iCloud, Gmail, Exchange/Outlook, Yahoo, and AOL accounts
- Importing and exporting messages and mailboxes
- Keeping junk mail out of your inbox
- Using delivery options to specify exactly when messages should be sent
- Customizing MailMaven in dozens of different ways
- Using advanced search tools to locate messages quickly
If you’ve been searching for a great alternative to your current Mac email app, MailMaven may be just what you need. This book helps you get up to speed quickly.
About Joe Kissell
Joe Kissell is the author of more than 75 books about technology. In 2017, he also became the publisher of Take Control Books, when alt concepts—the company he runs with his wife, Morgen Jahnke—acquired the Take Control imprint from TidBITS Publishing Inc.’s owners, Adam and Tonya Engst. Before he began writing full-time in 2003, Joe managed software development, a totally normal profession for someone with degrees in philosophy and linguistics.
In his rare non-work hours, Joe likes to walk, cook, read, and teach tai chi. He lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, with Morgen and their sons. You can follow him on Mastodon (@joekissell) or Bluesky (@joekissell.com), or visit his personal website, JoeKissell.com.
Kevin Killion (verified owner) –
It sounds good, as I am more than eager to escape Apple Mail. Here are some first impressions of MailMaven:
I don’t see it in the either App Store on either my Mac or my iPhone.
It looks very complicated. I suppose one can get used to anything, but that’s a first impression.
I’d welcome seeing a comparison of MM to the all-time God Standard, i.e., EUDORA. I’ve never been happy with email since the plug was pulled in Eudora. Glorious Eudora features I deeply miss: — So much faster than Apple Mail! And I could keep my huge mail history without problems. — In a message listing, one can option-click on ANY column in any message. E.g., John Smith sends a message “New business”. If I opt-click on his name I see all messages from him. If I opt-click on that message title I see all matching messages, including “Re” and other variation. — Mailbox windows with new messages open and stay open until explicitly closed, That makes it easy to not miss important new items
Can one TRY using MM as a replacement while providing an escape if I don’t like it back to my Apple Mail messages, mailboxes and settings without anything lost?
In “Migrating from Apple Mail” in the “Get to Know MailMaven” doc I learned .. — conversion to MM from Apple Mail does NOT transfer rules and signatures. — MM has “No support for POP accounts.”. OK, that put the kibosh on further exploration!!! As far as I can see, this crucial bit of info isn’t in the TC book. Any idea when the MM folks might address the absence of POP?
Kevin Killion kevin@shsmedia.com
Joe Kissell –
Hi Kevin,
I might also mention in passing that the stars given for reviews on our site are intended to represent how you feel about the book, not how you feel about the app the book is about :-). Just saying! If there are things about the book you’d like me to improve, please send me email and I’ll absolutely consider that.
Verinder Syal (verified owner) –
This is almost a labor of love. Thanks for the effort. I have gone through the book over a day and a half and probably understand 80% of it. For a long time, I have felt that Apple Mail was ok, but not “Apple Worthy.” I am switching to MailMaven because of your book. It explains all the elements very well. While I know I will come back to the book several times over the first couple of months, whatever I have understood has allowed me to make the decision to switch. Your effort is much appreciated. Sincerely, Verinder Syal
Owen Crowley (verified owner) –
This book is a helpful supplement to MailMaven’s online help. I recommend it.