Claude has a built-in Gmail connector that can search, read, draft, send, reply to, and forward email and manage labels. By default it asks for approval before each send. If that covers your needs, it needs no other account or setup. Fluxmail Cloud is in Claude's connector directory, and self-hosted Fluxmail runs on your own machine. Either one adds attachment downloads, more providers, and access from other agents and apps. Self-hosted Fluxmail can also schedule sends.
This comparison covers Fluxmail Cloud, which we host, and self-hosted Fluxmail, which you run. Cloud doesn’t keep a copy of your mail.
Updated
Choose Fluxmail when the workflow must read attachment contents, cross providers, serve clients beyond Claude, or schedule mail with self-hosted Fluxmail. Choose Claude Gmail when you only need Gmail inside Claude and want nothing else to set up.
| Feature | Fluxmail | Claude Gmail |
|---|---|---|
| Product scope | ||
| What it is | Email server for agents and apps Hosted in Fluxmail Cloud or self-hosted | Gmail connector inside Claude |
| Supported clients | Any compatible MCP or REST client | Claude and Claude Desktop |
| Email providers | Gmail, Outlook, Exchange, and IMAP | Gmail |
| Server maintenance | None in Cloud; you maintain a self-hosted server | No separate server to operate |
| Gmail actions | ||
| Search and read | Yes | Yes |
| Create Gmail drafts | Yes | Yes, with explicit approval |
| Send email | Yes, when mail.send is allowed | Yes, with approval Also replies and forwards |
| Labels and threads | Yes | Yes |
| Attachment metadata | Yes | Yes |
| Attachment content | Yes, through download_attachment | No The connector exposes metadata only |
| Access and deployment | ||
| Approval behavior | Set by the MCP client and server permissions | Approval before each send, reply, or forward by default Team and Enterprise owners can allow these actions without asking |
| Permission model | Profiles, custom policies, member and mailbox scope | Claude organization controls and Google OAuth |
| Data location | Cloud stores encrypted credentials, not mail Self-hosted keeps credentials and its database on your host | Handled through Anthropic and Google services |
| Pricing | Free self-hosted plan; Pro $15/month; Business $25/member/month Same Pro and Business prices in Cloud and self-hosted. Annual: Pro $120; Business $240/member | Free Available on every Claude plan; Pro is $20/month or $200/year |
Claude's Gmail connector can search and read email, create drafts, send, reply to, and forward messages, manage labels, and return attachment metadata. It asks for approval before each send by default.
Fluxmail adds attachment downloads, along with tools for read state, stars, archive, trash, and folders. These tools are available through MCP and REST. Self-hosted Fluxmail also schedules delivery and has a CLI.
Both products handle everyday email work such as finding messages, reading threads, drafting and sending replies, and managing labels. Claude's Gmail connector keeps those workflows inside Claude and works with Gmail.
Fluxmail makes the same workflows available through MCP and REST, with one interface for Gmail, Outlook, Exchange, and IMAP. The same agent or backend can work across providers without being tied to Claude or Gmail.
With Claude's built-in connector, the connection and email requests run through services operated by Anthropic and Google. Access is governed by Claude organization controls and Google OAuth.
With Fluxmail Cloud, requests run through Fluxmail and your email provider, and Cloud doesn't store messages or attachments. Self-hosted Fluxmail takes Fluxmail's servers out of the path: credentials and the database stay on a machine you choose. In both cases Claude, like any MCP client, may send the email it reads to its model provider, and that provider's data policies apply.
We reviewed the linked product docs on October 19, 2026.
Run Fluxmail on your own infrastructure and use it through MCP, REST API, or CLI.