Comparison | Updated 5 November 2026 | By Ramy Elbeitam, recruitment operations manager
Applicant Packager vs Gmail filters for job applications
Short answer: Gmail filters label, archive or forward incoming application emails, but they cannot download the CV files, read inside PDF or Word CVs, or file attachments by applicant. Use a filter to label new applications, and a tool such as Applicant Packager to download and sort the CVs.
Gmail filters are quick to set up and free, and for keeping applications out of your main inbox they are hard to beat. What they do not do is get the CVs out of Gmail.
What each one does
| Task | Gmail filters | Applicant Packager |
|---|---|---|
| Label or archive new application emails | Yes | No, it never changes mail |
| Apply to emails you already have | Yes, when you create the filter | Yes, scans any date range |
| Download CV attachments | No | Yes, one folder per applicant on your PC |
| Match on words inside the CV | Partly: Gmail search covers some attachment text | Yes, including scanned CVs through Windows OCR |
| Spot repeat applications from the same person | No | Yes |
| Cost | Free | Free |
| Runs where | Gmail in any browser | Windows 10 and 11, connects with a Gmail app password |
Use them together
Create a filter that labels anything with your job code or "application" in the subject, then point Applicant Packager at Gmail and search the same terms when you are ready to review. Gmail needs an app password for this; see how to create a Gmail app password.
Download Applicant Packager free
Questions about Gmail filters and applications
Can Gmail automatically download attachments?
No. Filters can label, archive, star, forward or delete mail, but not save attachments. Google Apps Script can copy attachments to Google Drive.
Can I download all attachments with a certain Gmail label?
Not from Gmail itself. Use Google Takeout for the label, an Apps Script, or Applicant Packager with a search for the same terms.
Is it safe to connect Gmail to Applicant Packager?
It uses an app password over IMAP, reads mail without changing it and keeps the files on your computer. You can revoke the app password at any time in your Google account.
More guides
- Ways to bulk-download CVs from email, compared
- Applicant Packager vs Outlook rules
- Applicant Packager vs Gmail filters
- Applicant Packager vs an applicant tracking system
- How to download all CVs from your email at once
- How to save attachments from many emails in Outlook
- How to download all CV attachments from Gmail at once