Recently we had an opportunity to speak with Bilyana Elenkova, the Marketing Expert at Aqua Mail Inc. about Aqua Mail

Please share with us the backstory of what motivated you to create this app.

Aqua Mail launched as an email client for Android devices, globally recognized as one of the best, fastest, and most reliable mobile applications. It was created in 2011 and acquired by MobiSystems Inc. in 2016, becoming a standalone subsidiary - Aqua Mail Inc. The mobile application is used by over 1.5 million active monthly users worldwide, with over 9 million downloads for Android to date.

At the end of 2022, the first version for iOS users was released on the App Store, allowing full access to multiple email accounts through Aqua Mail on iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices with M1 and M2 chips. In just 3 months, Aqua Mail for iOS has already won the award for the Best New Mobile App from the Best Mobile App Awards.

How is your app different than the rest of the market? Which unique need does it fill?

Aqua Mail is a standout email client because of its versatility and customization options. It makes it easy to integrate multiple email accounts from various providers into a single app, giving you a seamless email experience. The app is always evolving to meet the needs of its loyal users, with a focus on quality, performance, security, and transparency.

One of the best things about Aqua Mail is its privacy and security features. It doesn't collect or store passwords, emails, or any sensitive data, so you can use it with peace of mind. The app provides easy onboarding and automatic setup for popular email services like Gmail, Yahoo, and Hotmail, and it supports any other types of email accounts as well (including Exchange, IMAP or POP3-enabled mailboxes).

The user interface is intuitive and practical, and Aqua Mail is highly customizable with over 300 features and settings. You can back up and restore all your settings via popular cloud services. Aqua Mail's Smart Folder lets you view all your messages across different accounts and sort them by type, time, or date.

There are many advanced features in Aqua Mail, including but not limited to Contacts and Calendar sync for Exchange and Office 365, a rich text editor, the ability to save emails as PDFs, home screen widgets, signature support (including HTML signatures), and end-to-end encryption.

Aqua Mail for iOS is catching up quickly in terms of features and settings, and it offers the same fast, secure, and intuitive email experience as the Android version. With Aqua Mail, you can combine all your email accounts in one place and manage them with ease, and without disturbing ads.

What is the coolest or most innovative feature of your app?

Aqua Mail is not a cloud-based application. This means that it does not use servers to "store" user data. It does not require or store passwords or other personal data, and it does not "read" the contents of messages, unlike most free email clients. This makes it one of the few secure and reliable email applications that users have trusted for over a decade. In addition to providing top-notch support and continuously developing new features, Aqua Mail offers a truly unparalleled user experience.

At Aqua Mail, we put our users' needs and desires first. By closely listening to their feedback, we work hard to provide the features and functionality they want and need most. Recently, one of the most highly requested features is the ability to manage filters (rules) for Outlook accounts on the go. We are proud to say that we are the only email client that offers this feature, which helps users streamline their email traffic and manage their accounts more efficiently.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of the creation of this app?

At Aqua Mail, we value and prioritize our users' feedback as it fuels our team's engine. Their critiques and praises guide us towards improving our app and providing the email communication experience they deserve. Our users understand that in the world of free apps, they and their emails become the product to be sold. That's why we strive to offer a secure and reliable email application that meets their needs and exceeds their expectations.

We also offer a free version of the app, which still upholds the same principles, even when it comes to ads that use anonymous user information. By upgrading to the Pro version, users can enjoy an ad-free experience and have full access to all advanced features.

What surprised you most in your journey to create this app?

The excellent work of Aqua Mail largely depends on all the innovations that are integrated by Microsoft, Google, and others. We are required to be extremely quick in adapting to the new environment and anticipate what is necessary to continue the seamless functioning of our product.

As an email client, unexpected issues often arise from external sources, and we must be prepared to swiftly address them.

Recently, we faced a login problem caused by Microsoft, and it was gratifying to see other developers turning to us for advice on how to solve it. This recognition and trust in our expertise are a testament to our dedication and hard work.

How did you decide which platforms to release your app on and do you plan on releasing your app to other platforms?

While there may still be room for improvement in terms of features and settings for the iOS and macOS versions of Aqua Mail, our small team of enthusiasts has prioritized what we believe to be the most important aspect of the app - providing a truly secure email experience for managing multiple accounts at once. As for future platform releases, we are always exploring options and evaluating where Aqua Mail could make the most impact.

Which other mobile apps or technology have inspired you?

As a team, we have been inspired by various mobile apps and technologies over the years. One company that stands out to us is MobiSystems, which has over 20 years of experience in the mobile market. We have been particularly impressed with their products such as OfficeSuite and PDF Extra, which have become leaders in the Business category. We definitely keep an eye on what they are doing and draw inspiration from their success.

What features do you hope to roll out to your app in the future?

We are constantly working to improve our app and make it even more useful for our users. One feature that we are currently working on is the ability to unsubscribe from mailing lists with just one click. Additionally, we have a long list of other features that our users have requested, and we are working hard to implement them as well. We believe that by listening to our users and continuing to innovate, we can provide the best email experience possible.

Do you have any recommendations or advice for others wanting to create a mobile app?

Our recommendation for anyone wanting to create a mobile app is to always keep up with the latest changes in technology, as the mobile market is constantly evolving. However, it's also important to focus on the problem you are solving and make sure your product is something you would personally use. Always think about your target audience and what their needs are, and be open to feedback and suggestions from your users to continuously improve your app.