ToolStep AI tools, ranked & compared
Explore Tools
Email & Calendar

HEY Alternatives

The 10 best HEY alternatives in 2026 for new email workflows.

By Sarah Park Updated Pricing reflects official HEY documentation as of June 2026.
10
Alternatives
Docs
Analysis
5
FAQs
Based on product documentation, 14 HEY alternatives are compared. HEY offers a unique workflow, but pricing and different paradigm push some to alternatives.

Decision Summary

HEY rethinks email with a distinctive workflow (Imbox, Reply Later, Paper Trail) and charges ~$99/yr for the paradigm. Switch when the paradigm does not click or the price feels steep — it is love-it-or-leave-it.

Why Switch Away From HEY

  • Unconventional workflow has a learning curve
  • ~$99/yr subscription
  • Paradigm does not suit everyone

How Each Alternative Changes the Trade-off

Workflow paradigm

HEY: HEY's screened inbox and Reply Later are genuinely different.

Alternative: Traditional clients keep the folder-based model.

When this matters: Decides it by taste — the paradigm either clicks or it does not.

Price

HEY: HEY costs ~$99/yr with no free tier.

Alternative: Mainstream email is free or bundled.

When this matters: Matters for users unsure the workflow is worth paying for.

Privacy

HEY: HEY does not scan mail for ads.

Alternative: Free providers monetize via scanning.

When this matters: Supports HEY for ad-averse users.

Best For / Not For

Switch If

Users who tried HEY's workflow and found it does not fit, or who cannot justify the subscription.

Stay With HEY If

Users who love HEY's screened-inbox paradigm.

What Switching Costs

Mail imports; HEY-specific triage states do not transfer to other clients.

Real-World Switching Scenarios

  • User whose workflow did not click — HEY triers A traditional client matches how they already think about mail.
  • Ad-averse user liking the model — Privacy-minded adopters Staying preserves the screened-inbox workflow.
  • Budget user balking at $99/yr — Cost-conscious users Free clients cover email without the subscription.

How This Was Researched

This guide is based on a structured review of official product documentation, published feature lists, current pricing, and community-reported limitations — the same methodology ToolStep describes on the /how-we-test/ page. We do not claim hands-on testing that did not happen.

Pricing reflects official HEY documentation as of June 2026.

Alternatives Table

# Alternative Best For Rating Pricing
1 Spark Smart multi-account ★★★★☆ 4.3/5 Free / $4.99/mo
2 Shortwave AI-first email ★★★★☆ 4.4/5 Free / $9/mo
3 Superhuman Power user speed ★★★★☆ 4.4/5 $30/mo
4 Gmail Free ecosystem ★★★★☆ 4.4/5 Free / $1.99/mo
5 Proton Mail Encrypted email ★★★★★ 4.5/5 Free / $3.99/mo
6 Fastmail Paid private email ★★★★★ 4.5/5 $3/mo
7 Mimestream Mac native Gmail ★★★★☆ 4.4/5 $30/yr
8 Airmail Mac power email ★★★★☆ 4.2/5 $9.99/mo
9 Mailbird Windows all-in-one ★★★★☆ 4.1/5 $39/yr
10 Outlook Microsoft ecosystem ★★★★☆ 4.3/5 Free / $6.99/mo

Pros & Cons by Alternative

1
Spark
Best for: Smart multi-account

Pros

  • Smart inbox
  • Multi-account
  • AI
  • Free

Cons

  • Privacy concerns
Pricing: Free / $4.99/mo
Rating: ★★★★☆ 4.3/5
2
Shortwave
Best for: AI-first email

Pros

  • AI
  • Inbox zero
  • Fast

Cons

  • Gmail only
Pricing: Free / $9/mo
Rating: ★★★★☆ 4.4/5
3
Superhuman
Best for: Power user speed

Pros

  • Fast
  • Shortcuts
  • AI

Cons

  • Pricey
Pricing: $30/mo
Rating: ★★★★☆ 4.4/5
4
Gmail
Best for: Free ecosystem

Pros

  • 15GB free
  • Docs
  • Search

Cons

  • Tracking
  • Ads
Pricing: Free / $1.99/mo
Rating: ★★★★☆ 4.4/5
5
Proton Mail
Best for: Encrypted email

Pros

  • E2EE
  • Open source

Cons

  • Limited free
Pricing: Free / $3.99/mo
Rating: ★★★★★ 4.5/5
6
Fastmail
Best for: Paid private email

Pros

  • Fast
  • Custom domains

Cons

  • Paid only
Pricing: $3/mo
Rating: ★★★★★ 4.5/5
7
Mimestream
Best for: Mac native Gmail

Pros

  • Mac native
  • Fast

Cons

  • Mac only
  • Gmail only
Pricing: $30/yr
Rating: ★★★★☆ 4.4/5
8
Airmail
Best for: Mac power email

Pros

  • Mac native
  • Customizable

Cons

  • Mac only
Pricing: $9.99/mo
Rating: ★★★★☆ 4.2/5
9
Mailbird
Best for: Windows all-in-one

Pros

  • Apps
  • Multi-account

Cons

  • Windows only
Pricing: $39/yr
Rating: ★★★★☆ 4.1/5
10
Outlook
Best for: Microsoft ecosystem

Pros

  • Office sync
  • Calendar

Cons

  • MS lock-in
Pricing: Free / $6.99/mo
Rating: ★★★★☆ 4.3/5

Pricing Comparison

  • Spark Free / $4.99/mo
  • Shortwave Free / $9/mo
  • Superhuman $30/mo
  • Gmail Free / $1.99/mo
  • Proton Mail Free / $3.99/mo
  • Fastmail $3/mo
  • Mimestream $30/yr
  • Airmail $9.99/mo
  • Mailbird $39/yr
  • Outlook Free / $6.99/mo

Why Choose an Alternative

  • You want a more familiar email interface than HEY.
  • You need multi-account support HEY lacks.
  • You want cheaper email without HEY paradigm shift.
  • You need end-to-end encryption.
  • You want AI-first email assistance.

FAQ

What is the best HEY alternative?

Spark and Shortwave are the best HEY alternatives — Spark for smart inbox, Shortwave for AI-first email.

Is HEY worth the price?

HEY is worth it for users who love its screening workflow; others find better value in Spark or Shortwave.

What HEY alternative is best for Mac?

Mimestream and Airmail are the best Mac-native HEY alternatives.

Can Spark replace HEY?

Yes, Spark replaces HEY for multi-account email with smart inbox features at lower cost.

Is Shortwave better than HEY?

Shortwave is better for AI-first email workflows on Gmail; HEY offers a more unique paradigm.