Apple Mail MCP vs Email MCP
A side-by-side look at the Apple Mail MCP and Email MCP MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Apple Mail MCP for communication work as a local process; choose Email MCP for communication as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Apple Mail MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Communication domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
list_folders, list_emails, get_email.
Choose Email MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Communication domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: other.
- You have the keys it needs:
MCP_EMAIL_ADDRESS, MCP_EMAIL_PASSWORD, MCP_EMAIL_IMAP_HOST, MCP_EMAIL_SMTP_HOST, EMAIL_ACCOUNTS. - You want tools like
list_accounts, list_mailboxes, list_emails.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Communication | Communication |
| Quality signal | 63/100 · Good | 69/100 · Great |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | Not declared | other |
| Pricing | Not declared | Free |
| Required env vars | None listed | MCP_EMAIL_ADDRESSMCP_EMAIL_PASSWORDMCP_EMAIL_IMAP_HOSTMCP_EMAIL_SMTP_HOSTEMAIL_ACCOUNTS |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 2 | 133 |
| Directory activity | 1 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 5 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 13 | 52 |
| Full listing | View Apple Mail MCP | View Email MCP |
Tools & capabilities
Apple Mail MCP tools 13
list_foldersList all mail accounts and their folders/mailboxes. Returns a tree of account → [mailbox names]. Use this to discover exact mailbox names before calling list_emails or search_emails.list_emailsList emails in a specific mailbox with pagination. Returns message summaries including a message_ref that can be passed to get_email, reply_email, move_email, etc. Messages are returned newest-first (index 1 = most recent).get_emailRead the full content of a specific email including headers and body. The message_ref comes from list_emails or search_emails results.search_emailsSearch for emails matching criteria across one or all mailboxes. Returns message summaries with message_ref fields for use with other tools. At least one filter (from_filter, subject_filter, after_date, before_date) should be provided.compose_emailCompose a new email. If send is false (default), opens the compose window with a draft. If send is true, sends immediately without confirmation.reply_emailReply to an existing email. If send is false (default), opens the reply in a compose window. If send is true, sends immediately without confirmation.move_emailMove an email to a different mailbox. Use list_folders to see available mailbox names.archive_emailMove an email to the Archive mailbox of its account. Uses 'Archive' for iCloud, 'All Mail' for Gmail.flag_emailSet or clear the flag on an email.mark_readMark an email as read or unread.move_to_junkMove an email to the Junk/Spam mailbox of its account. Uses 'Junk' for iCloud, 'Spam' for Gmail.delete_emailMove an email to the Trash (Deleted Messages for iCloud, Trash for Gmail).- +1 more on the listing page
Email MCP tools 52
list_accountsList all configured email accountslist_mailboxesList folders with unread counts and special-use flagslist_emailsPaginated email listing with date, sender, subject, and flag filters; marks bulk mail; optional body previewget_emailRead full email content with attachment metadata and bulk-mail classification (HTML converted to readable text by default)get_emailsFetch full content of multiple emails in a single call (max 20); same bulk markersget_email_statusGet read/flag/label state of an email without fetching the bodysearch_emailsSearch by keyword across subject, sender, and body; same bulk markers and optional preview as `list_emailsdownload_attachmentDownload an email attachment by filename or MIME part id, base64-encoded or (if configured) saved to the server's attachment download directoryfind_email_folderDiscover the real folder(s) an email resides in (resolves virtual folders)extract_contactsExtract unique contacts from recent email headersget_threadReconstruct a conversation thread via References/In-Reply-To; same bulk markerslist_templatesList available email templates- +40 more on the listing page
Ready-to-paste client configs
Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.
Apple Mail MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"apple-mail-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@jdot6/apple-mail-mcp"
]
}
}
}
Email MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"codefuturist-email-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@codefuturist/email-mcp"
],
"env": {
"MCP_EMAIL_ADDRESS": "YOUR_MCP_EMAIL_ADDRESS_HERE",
"MCP_EMAIL_PASSWORD": "YOUR_MCP_EMAIL_PASSWORD_HERE",
"MCP_EMAIL_IMAP_HOST": "YOUR_MCP_EMAIL_IMAP_HOST_HERE",
"MCP_EMAIL_SMTP_HOST": "YOUR_MCP_EMAIL_SMTP_HOST_HERE",
"EMAIL_ACCOUNTS": "YOUR_EMAIL_ACCOUNTS_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Apple Mail MCP is categorized under Communication and uses a local stdio subprocess. Email MCP belongs to Communication and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Apple Mail MCP for communication work and Email MCP for communication.
Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client.
Apple Mail MCP has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Email MCP is listed as free. Auth: other. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.
Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add apple-mail-mcp and codefuturist-email-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Apple Mail MCP has a quality signal of 63/100 (Good) with 1 views, 0 installs and 2 GitHub stars. Email MCP has 69/100 (Great) with 5 views, 0 installs and 133 GitHub stars.