# zora

> zora is a calm, minimal email client for macOS, made by one independent developer (Piotr Wittchen). It works with Gmail (signed in with Google) and any IMAP/SMTP account, such as iCloud Mail, Fastmail or Yahoo. Mail is cached on the Mac and sent only to the user's mail provider: there is no zora server in between, no analytics and no telemetry. Optional AI features (thread summaries, suggested replies, writing help) are off by default and work only with the user's own OpenAI or Anthropic API key (bring your own key); the user turns them on in Settings if they want them. It is sold as a one-time lifetime license (€99, taxes included where applicable) with a free 14-day trial. Requires macOS 14 or later.

Key facts:

- Platform: macOS only (macOS 14 Sonoma or later). No Windows, Linux, iOS, Android or web version.
- Accounts: several Gmail and IMAP/SMTP accounts in one window. Server settings are filled in for common providers. Outlook and Microsoft 365 are not supported yet. Nothing needs importing: zora connects to the existing account.
- Gmail: threads, labels (including nested labels), drafts, spam and trash behave as they do in Gmail.
- Reading: conversations open in a side-peek panel next to the message list. Mail is cached locally, opens instantly and stays readable offline.
- Keyboard: command palette on ⌘K, J/K to move, E to archive, R to reply, ⌘F to search with filters for sender, excluded words, dates and attachment size.
- Composer: rich text, attachments, and recipient suggestions from the people the user writes to most.
- AI (optional, bring your own key): thread summaries, suggested replies and help polishing or writing a message, in the language of the conversation. Off by default; the user turns it on in Settings and adds their own OpenAI and/or Anthropic API key, then picks the provider and model. Keys are stored in the macOS Keychain.
- MCP server (optional): Claude Code and other MCP clients can search and read mail, mark, star, label, archive or trash conversations, and save drafts (never send). Off by default; the user turns it on in Settings → AI and copies a `claude mcp add` command. It listens only on 127.0.0.1 while zora runs and requires a secret token kept in the Keychain.
- Appearance: native macOS look, light and dark mode, and nine color themes (zora, Everforest, Flexoki, Gruvbox, Kanagawa, Nord, Rosé Pine, Solarized, Zenwritten).
- Notifications: standard macOS notifications and an unread badge on the Dock icon.
- Languages: English and Polish, chosen in Settings → General.
- Privacy: passwords and sign-in tokens are stored in the macOS Keychain. Remote images are blocked until the user allows them. AI features are off by default; when the user turns them on, the conversation they have open and any text they ask for help with are sent directly from the Mac to the AI provider they chose, never through a zora server.
- Pricing: one-time payment, no subscription. Every feature is included in the free 14-day trial.
- Switching from Notion Mail: Notion Mail worked on top of Gmail, so signing in to zora with the same Google account shows the same mail and labels with nothing to import.
- Switching from Superhuman: the same keyboard-first flow (⌘K command palette, J/K, E, R) for a one-time payment instead of a subscription. zora has no built-in AI plan (AI features are optional and use the user's own API key), no read receipts, and no snooze or send later.
- Switching from Mimestream: zora also handles Gmail labels and threads natively, adds IMAP accounts (iCloud, Fastmail, Yahoo) in the same window, and is a one-time payment instead of a subscription.
- Switching from Apple Mail: zora shows Gmail labels as labels rather than folders, adds a ⌘K command palette, single-key shortcuts and nine color themes. Unlike Apple Mail it is Mac only (no iPhone or iPad), does not support Exchange, and is paid.

## Pages

- [Home](/): what zora is, its principles, features, themes, optional AI features, privacy summary, pricing and FAQ
- [Privacy policy](/privacy/): how zora handles mail data, including data received from Google APIs
- [Notion Mail alternative](/notion-mail-alternative/): switching to zora from Notion Mail
- [Superhuman alternative](/superhuman-alternative/): switching to zora from Superhuman
- [Mimestream alternative](/mimestream-alternative/): switching to zora from Mimestream
- [Apple Mail alternative](/apple-mail-alternative/): switching to zora from Apple Mail
- [Full text](/llms-full.txt): the full text of every page above in one Markdown file

## Contact

- [Email](mailto:hello@zoramail.app): questions, feedback and bug reports
- [Author's website](https://wittchen.io)