Switching from Spark to Kanmail
Spark (by Readdle) is a capable cross-platform client. People tend to move off it for two reasons: its paid tiers are subscription-only (there’s no buy-once option), and for privacy — Spark stores credentials and runs some processing on its own servers rather than keeping everything on your device. If you’d rather own your client and keep your mail local, here’s how to switch to Kanmail.
What changes when you switch
| Spark | Kanmail | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free tier + subscription (Plus/Pro); no one-time purchase | One-time purchase, no subscription |
| Data model | Some server-side processing; credentials on Spark’s servers | Direct to provider; mail and tokens stay on your device |
| Platforms | macOS, iOS, Android, Windows | macOS, Windows, Linux (desktop) |
| Layout | Smart Inbox (list) | Kanban board, drag email between columns |
Honest trade-off: Spark has mobile apps; Kanmail is desktop-only. If mobile is essential to you, factor that in. What you gain is local-first privacy, a one-time price, and the board workflow.
Your email is safe → nothing to export
Your mail lives on your provider’s servers (Gmail, Outlook, IMAP), not inside Spark. Switching clients moves nothing and risks nothing — you’re connecting a new app to the same mailboxes.
Steps
- Download Kanmail from kanmail.io and install (free to try, no time limit).
- Add each account you had in Spark:
- Gmail → Sign in with Google
- Outlook / Microsoft 365 → Sign in with Microsoft
- iCloud, Fastmail, other IMAP → app-password setup
- Your mail loads from each provider. All accounts appear on one board, each with its own colour accent.
- Set up columns to match how you triaged in Spark — To Do, Waiting, Later, Done. (Boards & Columns →)
- Once everything’s connected and you’re settled, cancel any Spark subscription and remove your accounts from Spark.
After you switch
- For peace of mind, you may want to change your account passwords / revoke Spark’s access after leaving, since Spark held credentials server-side.
- Set up keyboard shortcuts and per-sender colours.
Questions? Email hello@oxygem.com.