BLACKBIRDBlackbird vs Spark
Sorted by rules. Not read by a model.
Spark sorts mail with a smart inbox and has leaned into AI features for writing and summaries. Blackbird sorts with plain rules that run on your Mac, and nothing you receive is sent to a model.
| Blackbird | Spark | |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Once. $29.99 Founding Edition, $49.99 after launch. | Free tier, with paid subscription plans for more features. |
| AI | None. Sorting and the line under each subject come from rules on your Mac. | AI features (Spark +AI) for writing, rephrasing and summaries. |
| Inbox order | Seven sections by what each letter wants, with Wants you first. | Smart Inbox groups mail into categories such as people, notifications and newsletters. |
| Replies you’re owed | Waiting on them surfaces a thread after three days without an answer. | Reminders you set on an email. |
| Platforms | Mac (macOS 13 or later). iPhone in the works. | Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android and Windows. |
Why people switch
Your mail stays yours. Blackbird never sends what you receive to an AI service to be read, summarised or rewritten.
It says what each letter wants. One plain line under the subject: “asks 2 questions”, “wants a signature”, “claims to be PayPal · sent from a gmail.com address”.
Fakes are caught. A display name claiming a company its address isn’t is filed under Not who they say, first.
Nothing to renew. Pay once and the app is yours.
The Founding Edition is $29.99, once. $49.99 after launch.
Reserve for $29.99Sources
- Spark AI Email & Calendar on the App Store
- MacRumors: Spark Mail gets “My Writing Style” AI email assistant (Feb 2024)
Spark is a trademark of its owner. Blackbird is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.