Your inbox is a mess. You've got emails scattered across three accounts, you're missing important messages, and you spend way too much time just trying to stay organized.
You've heard Superhuman can fix this. And it can—the keyboard shortcuts are great, it's lightning fast, and it actually makes email feel manageable.
The problem? It costs $30 per month. That's $360 a year just for email.
We get it. You want the productivity boost without the premium price tag. So we tested 8+ email clients that give you the same speed and features for way less money. Some cost $3/month. Others are completely free.
Here's what actually works.
Superhuman Alternative Options – Quick Overview
Why Do People Choose Superhuman?
Superhuman is a premium email client founded in 2015 by Rahul Vohra. Professionals who rely on email as their primary mode of communication choose Superhuman for its speed, to boost efficiency, and ease of use. Here’s what people love about it:
- Speed: Genuinely fast - loads instantly, no lag, no waiting
- Keyboard shortcuts: Navigate your entire inbox without touching a mouse
- Inbox tools: Filters, snoozing, and reminders to stay organized
- Track emails: See who opens your messages and when
- Smart scheduling: AI suggests the best time to send emails
- Templates: Pre-written emails for common situations
- Calendar sync: Schedule meetings directly from your mail
Is Superhuman Worth It?
Before we get into whether Superhuman is worth it or not, let's look at what it costs.
There's no free version, just a 30-day trial. After that:
- Starter: $30/month per user - basic features, keyboard shortcuts, email tracking
- Business: $40/month per user - adds AI writing, sales tools, coaching
- Enterprise: Custom pricing (usually $50+ per user) - team features, security controls
That's $360-$600+ per person per year.
For some people, yes, it's worth it. If you live in Gmail all day and speed matters more than cost, Superhuman delivers. But it's one of the most expensive email clients on the market, and costs add up fast for teams.
Here's what you don't get for that price:
- Limited email providers: If you want to manage multiple accounts from other providers, you’re out of luck. Superhuman only supports Gmail and Outlook.
- No centralized view: You have to switch between accounts manually, which isn’t ideal for those managing several emails.
- Missing advanced security: While it offers strong basics, Superhuman doesn’t provide end-to-end encryption for your email threads or the advanced privacy controls that some expect from a great email client.
- Limited integrations: The app is highly focused on core email management and select integrations, but if your workflow relies on connecting other tools, you may find Superhuman restrictive.
- Learning curve: Many of Superhuman’s shortcuts require time to learn.
- No team inbox: While there are collaboration features for sales and business, there’s no true team inbox for shared management of group email for teams.
- Offline limitations: Some report limited offline functionality, especially when compared to desktop-first email apps.
In short, Superhuman excels for power users who rely on Gmail, Google, or Outlook and crave speed. Still, it may leave everyday users, teams, and those requiring broader support or flexibility wanting more.
The Top Superhuman Alternatives
We've compiled a list of eight email clients that have a sleek interface and useful features and can work with almost any email service. These superhuman email alternatives can be a great substitute and help you save time on email management:
1. Canary Mail - The Security-First Superhuman Alternative
Canary Mail is designed for users seeking a feature-rich, secure, and AI-powered email client. The app features an intuitive interface and offers a wide range of tools that make email management easier than ever before.
With Canary Mail, you can easily access all your email accounts from one place and quickly search through your mail. The app also offers robust organization tools, allowing you to create folders and labels to keep your inbox tidy.
Canary Mail is a game changer in the email security landscape, offering an extra layer of protection for your email communications and making it more challenging for attackers to gain unauthorized access to your messages. It's an in-built spam filter that ensures your inbox remains free of unwanted messages.
Canary Mail vs Superhuman: What's the Difference?
When it comes to Canary Mail vs Superhuman, the former distinguishes itself from the latter in several key areas by providing:
- Unified inbox: Manage unlimited email accounts vs Superhuman's account switching
- Superior security: End-to-end encryption vs Superhuman's basic protection
- Better value: $3/month vs Superhuman's $30/month
- Advanced AI: Writing assistant, summaries, and smart replies included
- Real team features: Shared inboxes vs Superhuman's limited collaboration
- Works everywhere: iOS, Android, Windows, Mac vs Superhuman's limited platform support
Why Canary Mail Works as Your Superhuman Alternative
Setup takes 5 minutes, and you get that same "everything just works" feeling. The unified inbox is clean, syncing across devices is instantaneous, and the PGP encryption provides security features that cost extra elsewhere.
Speed is close to Superhuman-level, and you get AI writing assistance, read receipts, and team collaboration features for $3/month. The interface isn't quite as minimal, but most people find they don't miss Superhuman's premium price tag.
Bottom line: Canary delivers the core Superhuman experience without the $30/month cost. It's the closest thing to a direct replacement we've found.
Canary Mail Pricing
Canary Mail offers a free plan with all the basic features. However, it’s the Growth or Pro+ plan with additional features that won’t break the bank, either. At a very affordable cost, starting at just $3 per month, you can unlock AI Copilot, inbox cleaner, calendar & scheduling, and more.
2. BlueMail - The Superhuman Alternative for Easy Multiple Accounts Management
BlueMail is an effective email management tool for those who manage multiple email accounts. With BlueMail, users can connect unlimited email accounts in one place, making it easier to stay organized and improve productivity. Additionally, BlueMail allows users to collaborate with teams, making it an ideal tool for businesses and organizations.
BlueMail vs Superhuman: What's the Difference?
BlueMail distinguishes itself from Superhuman in several key areas, such as:
- Better provider flexibility: Supports multiple email addresses via IMAP, POP, and Exchange vs Superhuman's Gmail and Outlook only
- Easier email management: Holistic view with smart sorting vs no true inbox splits
- Calendar integration: Built-in calendar and task boards vs Superhuman's limited scheduling features
- Team collaboration: Shared mailboxes and group tools for the whole team vs Superhuman's individual-only focus
BlueMail Pricing
BlueMail's basic features are free to use, but its premium plan with advanced functionalities starts at just $8 per user per month.
Why BlueMail Works as Your Superhuman Alternative
BlueMail is smooth to work with. The group mail feature simplifies team communication, and instant push notifications keep users consistently updated. Advanced integrations and priority support are only available to business subscribers, which may be frustrating for smaller teams or solo users.
Bottom line: If you don't heavily depend on integrations, BlueMail offers a reliable and user-friendly experience without the premium pricing of Superhuman.
3. Airmail - The iOS-specific Superhuman Alternative
Airmail is a versatile email client primarily used on iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices. It offers a range of integrations and customizations that help users streamline their email workflow and tailor their inbox to their preferences. With Airmail, you can design your inbox the way you want it, making it a great alternative to other email clients.
Airmail vs Superhuman: What's the Difference?
Airmail distinguishes itself from Superhuman in several key areas, offering features like:
- Customizable interface: Themes, swipe gestures, and layout options vs Superhuman’s fixed design
- Inbox management: Unified view with smart filters vs no combined inbox for multiple email addresses
- More integrations: Connects with Todoist, Evernote, and Fantastical vs limited tools for productivity
- More features: Send later, snooze, pins, and Smart Folders vs Superhuman’s split inboxes and basic scheduling
Airmail Pricing
Airmail offers both free and affordable Pro plans starting at $9.99/month.
Why AirMail Works as Your Superhuman Alternative
Airmail's integration across Apple devices feels genuinely seamless, and the flexible customization makes it easy to tailor to different workflows. Apple Watch compatibility makes replying on the go effortless. However, it's an Apple-only platform, which means a higher upfront cost for business use.
Bottom line: If you're all-in on Apple devices and want customizable workflows, Airmail delivers strong value, but it’s definitely not a fit if you need multi-platform support.
4. eM Client - The Superhuman Alternative to Manage Multiple Inboxes in A Central Location
If you're looking for a reliable alternative to Superhuman, eM Client is a worthy consideration. It is designed for individuals who want a central inbox to monitor all incoming emails from different accounts. Get started with just a few clicks, thanks to its automatic setup with your email accounts. And its productivity features make it one of the best Superhuman alternatives for collaborative settings.
eM Client vs Superhuman: What's the Difference?
eM Client distinguishes itself from Superhuman in several key areas by offering:
- Cross-platform support: Works on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android vs Superhuman’s limited operating systems
- Flexible pricing plans: One-time purchase option vs Superhuman’s monthly cost
- More features: PGP encryption, snooze, send later, templates, and translation vs fewer built-in tools
- All-in-one workspace: Email, calendar, tasks, chat, and Zoom/MS Teams integration vs email-only focus
eM Client Pricing
eM Client offers a free model for individual users and non-commercial use. Pro plan subscriptions start at $19.95 per user per year, and a lifetime purchase option is available for $29.95 per user.
Why eM Client Works as Your Superhuman Alternative
The customizable sidebar and keyboard shortcuts genuinely make managing emails faster and simpler. Automatic setup with Gmail, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Outlook was effortless, and the multilingual support was particularly impressive. The free version limits you to just two connected services, but the paid version is definitely more affordable than Superhuman.
Bottom line: eM Client offers great usability and customization, especially at its lifetime price, but might feel restrictive if you rely on multiple email services and prefer to stick with the free version.
5. Mailspring - The Superhuman Alternative For Built-in Tracking and Productivity Features
Mailspring is a versatile choice for boosting productivity and maximizing the effectiveness of email communications, with built-in tracking and powerful organization features. It offers a unified inbox and smart filters, making it easy to stay on top of your messages and send more effective emails. With tools like read receipts, link tracking, send later, and snooze, Mailspring helps streamline your workflow and ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
Mailspring vs Superhuman: What's the Difference?
Mailspring distinguishes itself from Superhuman in several key areas by offering:
- Easier inbox management: Centralized inbox with smart filtering vs Superhuman’s account switching
- Advanced features: Email scheduling, snooze, tracking, and templates vs limited tools behind a hefty price tag
- Language support: 60+ language options vs Superhuman’s English-only interface
Mailspring Pricing
In addition to a free plan, Mailspring offers its premium features for just $8 per month, billed monthly.
Why Mailspring Works as Your Superhuman Alternative
Setting up Mailspring is a breeze on all devices: Mac, Windows, and Linux. You'll quickly notice how powerful the advanced search feature is, as it makes finding emails incredibly simple. Multi-language support is also a clear plus. Although a free version is available, most valuable features, such as contact insights and follow-up reminders, require a paid upgrade.
Bottom line: Mailspring is excellent if you're looking for cross-platform compatibility and strong organization, but you'll likely want the premium subscription to get the most out of it.
6. Mailbird - The Superhuman Alternative For Customizable Look and Feel
Mailbird is a popular email client known for its highly customizable interface. It lets you personalize everything, from themes and layouts to notifications and shortcuts, so your workspace feels truly your own. Conveniently synchronize, access, and manage all your emails in one location, and use its great features to make the email management process a one-of-a-kind experience.
Mailbird vs Superhuman: What's the Difference?
Mailbird distinguishes itself from Superhuman in several key areas, such as:
- Affordable pricing: One-time purchase or low subscription vs Superhuman’s pricier subscription
- Desktop-first support: Full coverage for Windows and Mac vs limited web and mobile focus
- Advanced features: Built-in tracking, snooze, send later, and search filters vs premium-only access
- More integrations: Native support for Slack, Asana, Google Calendar, and ChatGPT vs limited integration options
Mailbird Pricing
The second most affordable email client on this list, after Canary Mail, with a premium subscription starting at just $4.03/user/month.
Why Mailbird Works as Your Superhuman Alternative
Mailbird makes managing multiple email providers from one spot effortless, and the extensive customization through various themes calls for appreciation. The built-in integrations with social media and productivity apps also noticeably streamlined our daily tasks. Unlimited email management and advanced integrations require an upgrade to a paid subscription.
Bottom line: A solid choice if you value personalization and integration, but expect to upgrade if you need unlimited accounts and deeper app connectivity.
7. Spark - The Superhuman Alternative For Easy Email Organization
Spark is a tool that can help you streamline managing inbox and hit inbox zero. With Spark, you can organize your emails based on priority, set reminders, and even collaborate with others on email threads. If you're tired of feeling overwhelmed by your inbox, Spark might be the solution you've been looking for.
Spark vs Superhuman: What's the Difference?
Spark distinguishes itself from Superhuman in several key areas:
- Inbox management: Smart Inbox with auto-categorization and unified view vs no inbox splits
- Team collaboration: Shared drafts, comments, and assignments vs limited collaboration tools
- User experience: Visual interface with smart bundles and widgets vs keyboard-centric layout
Spark Pricing
Spark is free with premium plans, offering advanced functionalities starting at just $4.99 per month.
Why Spark Works as Your Superhuman Alternative
Smart inbox and keyboard shortcuts will save you a bunch of time in achieving quick inbox zero. The Teams feature makes sharing and collaborating on emails seamless, and the included storage in the free version is a nice bonus. The free version only allows two collaborators, and you won't get many choices with templates unless you upgrade.
Bottom line: Spark delivers strong productivity tools and teamwork options even in its free version, but get the paid plan if you've got a larger team.
8. Spike - The Superhuman Alternative For Conversational Communication
Get a hat-style experience in your inbox with Spike, the email client that replaces cluttered threads with clean, real-time conversations. Get a unified view for all major email providers, including Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, and Yahoo, and enjoy tools like a built-in calendar, task management, and collaborative notes.
Spike vs Superhuman: What's the Difference?
Spike distinguishes itself from Superhuman in several key areas with features like:
- Conversational design: Real-time chat, voice messages, and group chats vs traditional email threads
- Unified workspace: Calendar, notes, calls, and tasks in one feed vs email-only focus
- Advanced AI: Summarization, smart replies, and translation vs limited AI assistance
- Beyond email: Built-in video calls, voice messaging, and doc collaboration vs basic communication tools
Spike Pricing
Despite offering a rich feature set, Spike not only provides a free version but also offers premium plans at a highly affordable rate of just $5 per month.
Our Experience Using Spike
Spike’s chat-like interface is fun, to say the least. The built-in calendar, notes, and task tools help keep workflow organized, and the AI summarization and drafting tools were surprisingly effective. However, it's not for traditionalists who prefer classic folders, and the privacy controls are not as advanced as those of some other options.
Bottom line: Want a fun email management experience? Go for Spike, but don't expect the advanced privacy features that Canary Mail can provide.
8. Missive - The Superhuman Alternative for Teams
Missive stands out as the most team-centered email client on this list. It transforms your inbox into a dynamic hub for collaboration, tasks, chat, and automation and is particularly well-suited for teams who rely on shared communication channels.
Missive vs Superhuman: What's the Difference?
Missive distinguishes itself from Superhuman in a few key ways, such as:
- More email provider options: Supports any email provider including Gmail, Outlook, IMAP, POP, etc compared to Superhuman's Gmail and Outlook only
- Flexible rules and automations: Create workflows that are custom to your business and connect third-party apps using webhooks and integrations
- Tasks included: Built-in, lightweight, task management system for to-do lists that are often made up or tied to emails.
- Team collaboration: Built for teams first with internal statuses, shared inboxes, real-time drafting, internal commenting and more.
Missive Pricing
Missive has a free plan with a 15-day history limit. Paid plans that include rules and integrations start at $24/user/month billed annually.
Why Missive Works as Your Superhuman Alternative
Missive has all the raw processing power of Superhuman for busy inboxes, but they're geared towards those businesses where email is a team sport. You get a lot of the Superhuman favorites like customizable shortcuts and natural language snoozing, but you get way more in terms of team functionality.
Bottom line: If you love shortcuts and intuitive, but you're a business that relies heavily on your team being able to collaborate and coordinate within your inboxes (i.e. agencies, firms, support and sales teams), Missive is the best Superhuman alternative for teams.
The Right Superhuman Alternative For You
Choosing the best Superhuman alternative comes down to what matters most in your daily workflow. Here are a few key factors to keep in mind:
1. Compatibility & Platform Support: Will your email tool work across different OS? Do you need mobile apps, seamless syncing, or support for specific providers, such as Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or IMAP?
2. Security & Privacy: Are built-in encryption and privacy controls important for your work or industry? Do you handle sensitive data, or is HIPAA/GDPR compliance a must?
3. Productivity Features: What do you rely on most: AI assistant and AI-powered writing tools, unified inbox, read receipts, scheduling, smart filters, collaboration features, or app integrations? Think about what genuinely makes your workflow smoother and more efficient.
4. Pricing & Value: Is the tool free, or does it have affordable premium options? Are all the features you need locked behind a high subscription, or can you get real value without breaking the bank? Will it scale well for individuals, small teams, or your entire company?
5. User Experience & Support: Do you prefer a simple, clean interface or advanced customization options? Is responsive customer support important to you? Would you prefer a traditional email style or a more conversational, chat-like approach?
Although there are plenty of options in this article, Canary Mail emerges as the most balanced, reliable, and secure option among all the top Superhuman alternatives, given its:
- user-friendly design
- advanced privacy features (including PGP encryption and SecureSend)
- powerful productivity tools
- affordable price that’s hard to beat.
With a unified view, team collaboration options, AI Copilot, and a genuine focus on security, it consistently delivers a seamless experience, regardless of your platform or email provider. Try Canary Mail for free and see for yourself.
Superhuman Alternatives FAQs
What's better than Superhuman?
Canary Mail is the closest replacement—you get centralized inbox, better security, and AI features for $3/month instead of $30. For specific needs: BlueMail handles various accounts better, Airmail integrates deeper with Apple devices, and eM Client offers the best value for Windows users.
Is getting Superhuman worth it?
Only if you live in Gmail all day, speed matters more than cost, and you don't need advanced security or multiple email providers. For most people, spending $360/year on email isn't justified when alternatives offer 90% of the features for 10% of the cost.
What are the cons of Superhuman?
Superhuman is limited to Gmail and Outlook only, no consolidated inbox, no end-to-end encryption, expensive at $30/month, steep learning curve for shortcuts, basic team collaboration, and limited offline functionality.
How to Switch from Superhuman to Canary Mail?
- Download Canary Mail and create your free account
- Connect your Gmail/Outlook accounts (takes 2-3 minutes)
- Import your existing emails and folders
- Set up keyboard shortcuts and filters
- Cancel your Superhuman subscription
- Train yourself on Canary's shortcuts (most are similar to Superhuman's)
The switch takes about 15 minutes, and you'll save $324/year.