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Productivity · head to head

Mimestream vs Raycast

Mimestream logo

Mimestream

Productivity

Native Mac email client built specifically for Gmail and Google Workspace accounts, and nothing else

From
$4.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Raycast logo

Raycast

Technology

Blazingly fast, totally extendable launcher

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Raycast has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Mimestream it only works with Gmail and Google Workspace, so it is entirely useless for anyone with an iCloud, Outlook, Yahoo or other IMAP account.; Raycast the free plan includes 50 Raycast AI messages, 5 notes and 3 months of clipboard history
  • They diverge on capability: Mimestream covers Native Gmail labels, Raycast covers Application launcher.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Mimestream and Raycast actually diverge.

Attributes where Mimestream and Raycast differ
AttributeMimestreamRaycast
Starting price$4.99/monthFree
Pricing modelPer user per monthfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsMacMacos
CategoryProductivityTechnology
FoundedUnknown2020

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Mimestream

  • Native Gmail labels
  • Gmail filters
  • Fast local search
  • Conversation threading
  • Multiple account support
  • Native macOS integration

Only in Raycast

  • Application launcher
  • File search
  • Clipboard history
  • Snippets
  • Window management
  • Calculator
  • System commands
  • Extension ecosystem

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Mimestream

  • A Mac user whose email is entirely Gmail or Google Workspace and wants a faster native alternative to the Gmail web appnot Raycast
  • Someone who finds Apple Mail handling of Gmail labels and search unreliable or confusingnot Raycast
  • A Google Workspace user managing multiple accounts who wants them combined in one native menu bar appnot Raycast
  • A user who wants Gmail-specific filters and search operators without opening a browser tabnot Raycast

Raycast

  • App launchingnot Mimestream
  • Quick calculationsnot Mimestream
  • File navigationnot Mimestream
  • Snippet expansionnot Mimestream
  • Workflow automationnot Mimestream

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Mimestream

  • It only works with Gmail and Google Workspace, so it is entirely useless for anyone with an iCloud, Outlook, Yahoo or other IMAP account.
  • It is a subscription with no permanent free tier or lifetime purchase option, so the cost is ongoing for as long as it is used.
  • It is Mac only, so it does nothing for a Windows machine or for mobile email, which still relies on the standard Gmail app or another client.
  • Because it depends entirely on Gmail API access, any change Google makes to that API could affect Mimestream functionality outside the developer control.
  • A user who wants one email client for multiple different providers has to run Mimestream alongside a second app for non-Gmail accounts, rather than consolidating everything in one place.

Raycast

  • The free plan includes 50 Raycast AI messages, 5 notes and 3 months of clipboard history
  • Advanced AI models are sold only as an add-on to the paid Pro plan at a further $8 per month on top of the $10 subscription
  • Free team workspaces cap sharing at 30 snippets, 30 quicklinks and 5 commands across all extensions
  • Teams Pro is $15 per user per month, billed per seat rather than per workspace

Pricing, plan by plan

Mimestream

$4.99/month
  • Mimestream$4.99/month
    • 49.99 USD per year if billed annually
    • Free trial before purchase
    • Covers multiple Gmail or Google Workspace accounts

Raycast

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Core features: Clipboard History, Quicklinks, Calculator, Snippets, Window Management
    • Thousands of community extensions
    • 3-month clipboard history
  • Pro$10/month
    • Raycast AI with advanced models
    • Unlimited clipboard history
    • Unlimited notes
  • Pro Annual$8/month
    • Same as Pro plan
    • Annual billing saves 20% compared to monthly
  • Teams FreeFree
    • No cost per user
    • Shared extensions, snippets, and quicklinks

Which should you pick?

Choose Mimestream if

  • You need native gmail labels.
  • You work on Mac.
  • You also want gmail filters.
Mimestream review

Choose Raycast if

  • You need application launcher.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Macos.
  • You also want file search.
Raycast review

Questions people ask

Is Mimestream or Raycast better?
Neither clearly leads. Mimestream starts at $4.99/month and Raycast at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Mimestream or Raycast?
Raycast has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $4.99/month for Mimestream and Free for Raycast.
Does Mimestream or Raycast run on more platforms?
Mimestream runs on Mac. Raycast runs on Macos.
Can I use Raycast for free?
Yes. Raycast has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Mimestream starts at $4.99/month.
What is Mimestream best used for?
Mimestream is most often used for a mac user whose email is entirely gmail or google workspace and wants a faster native alternative to the gmail web app, someone who finds apple mail handling of gmail labels and search unreliable or confusing, a google workspace user managing multiple accounts who wants them combined in one native menu bar app, a user who wants gmail-specific filters and search operators without opening a browser tab. Of those, a mac user whose email is entirely gmail or google workspace and wants a faster native alternative to the gmail web app and someone who finds apple mail handling of gmail labels and search unreliable or confusing are not what Raycast is typically brought in for.
What can Mimestream do that Raycast cannot?
Mimestream covers Native Gmail labels, Gmail filters, Fast local search, Conversation threading. Raycast covers Application launcher, File search, Clipboard history, Snippets.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Mimestream: Does Mimestream work with Outlook or iCloud Mail?

No. It connects only to Gmail and Google Workspace accounts and cannot be used with any other provider.

Raycast: Does Raycast offer a free plan?

Yes. Raycast has a free plan with core features including clipboard history, quicklinks, calculator, snippets, window management, and access to thousands of community extensions.

Source
Mimestream: Is Mimestream free?

No. It is a subscription at 4.99 US dollars a month or 49.99 dollars a year, with a free trial but no permanent free tier.

Raycast: How much does Raycast Pro cost?

Raycast Pro costs $10 per month or $8 per month when billed annually, saving 20% with yearly subscription.

Source
Mimestream: Is it available on iPhone or iPad?

No. Mimestream is a Mac-only native app with no iOS version.

Raycast: Does Raycast offer team plans?

Yes. Teams Free tier is available at no cost per user with shared extensions and snippets. Teams Pro costs $15 per user per month with unlimited team members.

Source
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