Marco vs Spark
The key difference
Spark is a feature-rich email client built around collaboration and AI-powered inbox management. It routes your emails through Readdle's servers to power features like Smart Inbox, shared drafts, and team comments.
Marco takes the opposite approach. Your email data is encrypted and never scanned, never piped through AI, and never visible to anyone but you. Marco is built for people who want a fast, private, and reliable email experience without the overhead.
| Feature | Marco | Spark |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | ✓ Encrypted, never scanned | ✗ Routes via Readdle servers |
| Offline access | ✓ Full offline support | ~ Limited offline reading |
| Speed | ✓ Native, instant search | ~ Can lag with large inboxes |
| AI features | ✗ Intentionally excluded | ✓ AI inbox, summaries, writing |
| Multi-account | ✓ Unlimited accounts | ✓ Unlimited accounts |
| Team collaboration | ✗ Not available | ✓ Full team features |
| Encryption | ✓ End-to-end encrypted | ~ Encrypted in transit |
| Pricing | ✓ $8/mo | ~ Free tier / $7.99/mo |
| Platforms | ~ macOS, iOS, Web | ✓ macOS, iOS, Android, Web |
Privacy
Offline access
Speed
AI features
Multi-account
Team collaboration
Encryption
Pricing
Platforms
Who should choose Marco?
Marco is for people who want their email client to do one thing extremely well: email. If you value privacy, offline access, and speed over AI features and team collaboration, Marco is the better choice.
Who should choose Spark?
If you work on a team that needs shared inboxes, collaborative drafting, and AI-powered inbox management, Spark is purpose-built for that workflow.
The verdict
Spark is a solid product for teams. But if you're an individual who cares about privacy, wants true offline access, and prefers a clean, fast email experience without AI overhead, Marco is the clear winner.
Marco doesn't try to be clever with your email. It just makes email work the way it should.
Frequently asked questions
Is Marco better than Spark for privacy?
Yes. Marco encrypts your email data and never scans it, pipes it through AI, or makes it visible to anyone but you. Spark routes emails through Readdle's servers for features like Smart Inbox, which raises privacy concerns for many users.
Does Marco work offline like Spark?
Marco was built offline-first from day one. You can read, search, compose, and organize emails without any internet connection. Spark offers some offline reading but requires a connection for most features.
How much does Marco cost compared to Spark?
Marco costs $8/month with a 7-day free trial. Spark offers a free tier with limited features and a Premium plan at $7.99/month per user.
Can I switch from Spark to Marco easily?
Yes. Just add your email accounts to Marco and it syncs everything locally. No migration needed because your emails live on your provider's servers, not in Spark.