Pigeon vs Mimestream.
Both are native Mac appss that keep your mail on your own machine. Pigeon adds Microsoft 365, Claude, and the deeper search.
Mimestream is a fast, well-made Gmail client and a fair like-for-like rival. Pigeon costs a little more but supports Microsoft 365 as well, understands what you are searching for, and works with Claude.
Side by side
| Pigeon | Mimestream | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $69 a year or $8 a month. Free for 14 days first | $49.99 a year or $4.99 a month, 14-day trial |
| Runs on | Mac (macOS 26 or later) | Mac. iPhone app in progress |
| Mailboxes it connects | Gmail and Microsoft 365, together in one inbox | Gmail and Google Workspace. Microsoft 365 is on their roadmap |
| Where your mail lives | On your Mac. Mail comes straight from Google or Microsoft, with no Pigeon server in between | On your Mac. It talks directly to Google's APIs |
| Search | Keywords and meaning together, with filters for sender, date and attachments. Answers as you type, newest first | Not detailed on their site |
| Search offline | Yes. The whole index is on your Mac | For mail already cached |
| Works with Claude | Yes. Ask Claude to find mail or draft a reply, and the draft opens in Pigeon for you to send | No AI features found |
| Blocks tracking pixels | Yes, and remote images are off until you choose to load them for a message | Not stated on their site |
We make Pigeon, so read this with that in mind. Details about Mimestream were checked in September 2026; they change, so check Mimestream's own site before you decide.
Where Pigeon pulls ahead
Gmail and Microsoft 365 together
Mimestream supports Google accounts only, with Microsoft 365 on its roadmap. Pigeon merges both into one inbox today.
Search that understands
Keywords, filters, and meaning, over every mailbox at once. Pigeon reads what a message is about as well as the words in it. On our own test set of paraphrased queries it found the right message in the top ten 80% of the time, against 45% for keyword matching alone.
Works with Claude
Claude can search your mail and open a draft in Pigeon for you to send. Mimestream has no AI features that we could find.
A reader that respects the message
Newsletters and receipts keep their own design, and tracking pixels are blocked so senders cannot see when you opened them.
Fair is fair
What Mimestream does well
- It is cheaper, at $49.99 a year.
- Close integration with Gmail's own labels and threads.
- An iPhone app is on the way.
Stay with Mimestream if
- You only use Gmail and are happy.
- You want the lowest price for a native app.
- You do not use Claude.
Questions
What is the difference between Pigeon and Mimestream?
Both are native Mac apps that store mail locally. Pigeon adds Microsoft 365, meaning-aware search and Claude, at $69 a year against $49.99.
Does Pigeon support Google Workspace?
Yes. Any Google account, including Workspace, works, alongside Microsoft 365.
Try Pigeon next to Mimestream
$69 a year, every feature, and your money back within 30 days.