Liamia compared with free Apple Mail MCP servers, Mailbutler and Spark
Pick a free open-source Apple Mail MCP server if you are happy in a terminal and want to read the code, and pick a Mailbutler or Spark style tool if you want an email product with cloud AI built in. Pick Liamia if you want a signed Mac app that connects your own AI app or a local model to Apple Mail, asks before every send, and keeps mail on your Mac in local mode.
7 days free, every feature, no card. macOS 14 or later. Updated .
How it works
How to choose in three questions
Who writes the AI?
Your own Claude, Codex or Cursor, or a model on your Mac: an MCP server or Liamia. The vendor's own AI: Mailbutler or Spark.
Terminal or app?
Happy with uvx, npx or a JSON file: a free server. Want a setup screen and one-click Connect: Liamia.
How much should leave the Mac?
Want the AI to run on your Mac: Liamia with Ollama. Fine with a cloud AI: any of them.
Checked November 7, 2026
Liamia and free Apple Mail MCP servers
Good free servers exist. The three most-starred on GitHub today are patrickfreyer/apple-mail-mcp (Python, MIT, 248 stars), sweetrb/apple-mail-mcp (Node, MIT, 107 stars) and imdinu/apple-mail-mcp (Python, GPL-3.0, 73 stars).
| Liamia | Free open-source servers | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A Mac menu bar app with an MCP helper inside, plus its own Ask, Sweep and Today windows. | An MCP server your AI app starts. No windows of its own. |
| Install | Drag to Applications, then click Connect for Claude Desktop, Claude Code or Codex. | One command (uvx or npx) or a Claude Desktop bundle (.mcpb) for some of them. |
| Sending | Every send opens a dialog with the exact recipient, subject and text. No setting skips it. | Depends on the server. Some can send, one is read-only. Check whether it asks you first. |
| Without an AI app | Built-in assistant on a local Ollama model, with voice. | Needs an MCP app such as Claude Desktop. |
| Accounts | IMAP accounts in Apple Mail. Exchange and POP not supported yet. | Varies. At least one other server lists Exchange support. |
| Source code | Closed source. Developer ID signed and notarized by Apple. | Open source, so you can read every line. |
| Cost | 7 days free, then a license (see pricing). | Free. |
Where the free servers win: they cost nothing, you can read the code, and some search full message bodies very fast. Stars and features come from each project's GitHub page on November 7, 2026; projects change, so check before you choose.
A different kind of tool
Liamia and Mailbutler or Spark style tools
Mailbutler adds features inside Apple Mail and other mail apps; Spark is a separate email app. Both build their own AI assistant into the product.
| Liamia | Mailbutler or Spark style tools | |
|---|---|---|
| Which AI | Yours: Claude, Codex, Cursor, or a local model on your Mac. | The vendor's built-in AI. |
| Where the AI runs | On your Mac with Ollama, or at the AI company you connect. | Generally the vendor's cloud. Read their privacy page. |
| Your mail app | Apple Mail, unchanged. | An add-on inside your mail app, or a new mail app. |
| Account | No Liamia account and no mail password. | Usually a vendor account. |
| Platforms | Mac only. | Often Mac, Windows, phone and web. |
Where they win: phones and other platforms, team features, and a polished AI with no setup. Check each vendor's current plans and privacy terms on their own site.
What it will never do
You stay in charge of your mail
Never sends without your click. Every email waits in a Liamia dialog that shows the exact recipient, subject and text. Only your click on Send sends it. No setting, tool or license skips it.
Never asks for your mail password. Liamia reads the files Apple Mail already keeps on your Mac, through Full Disk Access that you switch on. It holds no password and no sign-in token for your mail.
Never uploads your email to Liamia. Our server only checks your license and offers updates. With the local AI, your mail stays on your Mac. An assistant you connect, like Claude, gets only the messages it reads.
Questions
Short answers
Is there a free Apple Mail MCP server?
Yes. patrickfreyer/apple-mail-mcp, sweetrb/apple-mail-mcp and imdinu/apple-mail-mcp are free and open source on GitHub, and install with uvx, npx or a Claude Desktop bundle. They are a good fit if you are comfortable with a terminal.
Why would I pay for Liamia?
For a signed Mac app with one-click Connect, a send dialog that nothing can skip, a built-in local AI with voice, and its own Sweep, Today and Cleanup windows. Try every feature free for 7 days first.
Is Liamia open source?
No. It is closed source, and every release is Developer ID signed and notarized by Apple.
Is Liamia a Mailbutler alternative?
In part. Both work with Apple Mail, but Mailbutler brings its own AI, while Liamia connects the AI you choose, including a model that runs on your Mac. Liamia is Mac only.
Does Liamia replace Apple Mail?
No. It works with Apple Mail. Your accounts stay in Mail, and Liamia drafts, files and sends through Mail.
More guides
Other ways to use Liamia
- Apple Mail MCP serverConnect Claude, Codex or Cursor to Mail.app.
- Claude and Apple MailSet up Claude Desktop or Claude Code in a minute.
- Local AI for Apple MailRun the assistant on your Mac with Ollama.
- Talk to your emailAsk out loud, hands-free, and talk over the answer.
- Liamia homeThe film, screenshots and pricing.
Try it on your own inbox
Every feature, free for 7 days. No card, no sign-up, nothing sends without your click.