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Nine Email

Nine Email is an Android email client by NextIntelligence that delivers Exchange ActiveSync with on-device storage, enabling secure push sync for Exchange, Office 365, Outlook.com, and IMAP accounts — with S/MIME and IRM security support.

Our take

Nine Email exists to solve one specific problem: Exchange ActiveSync on Android done properly. Where most Android email clients (including the official Outlook app) use their own sync protocols and intermediary servers, Nine connects directly from the Android device to the Exchange server via ActiveSync with on-device storage. For enterprise Android users and MDM-managed device fleets, this architecture matters.

The honest scope: Nine is not a general-purpose email client. It does not have AI drafting, a polished consumer interface, or integrations with Todoist or Evernote. It does Exchange, calendar, contacts, and tasks synchronization to enterprise standards, and it does them well.

What stands out

True Exchange ActiveSync. Nine implements the full EAS specification including push email, calendar and contacts sync, Global Address List lookup, Tasks, Notes, S/MIME, and IRM. Few Android apps implement EAS this completely.

On-device storage with no relay. Nine does not route email through its own cloud infrastructure. Data travels directly between the Android device and the Exchange server. This satisfies enterprise security requirements that third-party cloud relays cannot.

MDM compatibility. Nine can be deployed and managed via enterprise MDM solutions. For IT administrators managing a fleet of Android devices, this is a prerequisite feature.

Where it falls short

The interface is dated. Nine competes on depth, not design. For users who care about email aesthetics or want modern Android UX conventions, the official Outlook app for Android or Spark are more visually refined, even though they sacrifice some Exchange depth.

Who should pick Nine Email

Pick Nine Email if you are an enterprise Android user on Exchange or Microsoft 365 who needs full EAS compliance, S/MIME, and on-device storage with no cloud relay. It is the right tool for IT administrators deploying Android devices at corporate Exchange sites. Skip it for Gmail accounts, personal email, or if UX design is a selection criterion.

References

Pros

  • The best Exchange ActiveSync implementation on Android — designed specifically for Exchange, not IMAP-first
  • On-device data storage with no cloud relay: enterprise security teams can verify no data leaves the device to Nine's servers
  • S/MIME, IRM, and client certificate support covers enterprise email security requirements
  • One-time purchase avoids subscription fatigue for corporate users
  • MDM compatibility makes it deployable at scale via enterprise device management

Cons

  • Android only — no iOS or desktop client
  • Interface feels dated compared to modern Android email clients like Spark or Edison
  • One-time purchase model means major version updates may require repurchase
  • Less relevant for users on Google Workspace (Gmail) or personal email — the Exchange depth is the main differentiator
  • No AI features, no productivity integrations, no task manager connections

Features

  • Exchange ActiveSync with Direct Push for real-time email, calendar, and contacts sync
  • IMAP and POP3 support alongside Exchange accounts in a unified inbox
  • On-device data storage — no mail routing through Nine's servers
  • S/MIME email signing and encryption
  • IRM (Information Rights Management) support for enterprise-classified messages
  • Client certificate authentication for enterprise security policies
  • Calendar sync with Exchange and Google Calendar in a combined view
  • Contacts sync with Exchange GAL (Global Address List) look-up
  • Tasks and Notes synchronization via Exchange
  • Per-account signature and identity management
  • Attachment management with Microsoft Office document preview
  • MDM-compatible for enterprise device management deployment