Delegate your day.
Superhuman alternatives
Superhuman Mail is a fast, shortcut-first inbox. If its plans or its approach to sending do not fit you, these are the options worth a look.
You just approve.
The short version
- Superhuman Mail suits people whose day lives in the inbox and who want speed from shortcuts, Split Inbox and follow-up reminders.
- People usually look elsewhere over price, the lack of a free Mail plan, or wanting an assistant that stops for approval.
- Otto, Shortwave and Spark each answer a different reason for leaving. Your email provider and budget settle which.
- Last reviewed 9 October 2026. Plans change, so check each plan page before paying.
Who Superhuman Mail suits
Superhuman Mail is built around speed in the inbox. Its Mail page lists keyboard shortcuts, Split Inbox for VIPs and team mail, follow-up reminders when nobody replies, Send Later, snooze, snippets, read statuses and shared views you can comment on. It says it is built for teams that use Gmail or Outlook.
If your day already lives in your mailbox and you want it to be as quick as it can be, that is a coherent product and a good fit.
Why people look elsewhere
These are reasons people commonly give for looking around. They are not faults we are claiming.
- Plan shape and price. As of October 2026 the Superhuman plans page lists Mail on its Business and Enterprise plans. Its Free plan covers other products in the suite, not Mail. What you see depends on your region, so check the page.
- No free way to try the inbox. If you want to live in an app for a few weeks before paying, a free plan makes that easier.
- How sending works. Superhuman describes AI that drafts and, in its words, "if you want", sends on your behalf. Some people prefer an assistant that always stops for a review card.
Alternatives worth a look
- Otto. Gmail and Outlook in one app, with calendar, tasks and an assistant that drafts, finds, books and files. Anything that sends, books or changes waits for your approval. Free covers one connected account. Plus is $6.99 a month and Pro is $19.99 a month, with a lower rate on yearly billing. It runs on the web and on iPhone.
- Shortwave. An AI mail client built around Gmail, with bundles, split inbox, AI filters, delivery schedules and a free plan. Its own docs say Microsoft 365 and Exchange accounts are not supported at this time, and Outlook.com works only by forwarding to Gmail. Apps for Mac, Windows, iOS and Android.
- Spark. A mail client with a Free plan that lists unlimited accounts, a Smart Inbox and a calendar. AI features such as Spark +AI and the AI Assistant sit on its paid plans. Apps for Mac, Windows, iOS and Android.
What they cost
Otto Free costs nothing. These are the lowest paid plans, in USD on monthly billing, from each vendor's own pricing page.
| Product | Lowest paid plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Otto | Plus | from $6.99/month | Pro $19.99/month; $55.99/year for Plus |
| Shortwave | Business | from $30/month | per seat |
| Spark | Plus | from $10/month | per seat, $8.25/month billed yearly |
Superhuman Mail's price depends on your region, so we list none; the plans page shows yours. Yearly billing is cheaper where a vendor offers it, and plan limits differ, so read the plan before you compare on price alone.
Where Otto fits, and where it does not
Otto fits if you use Gmail, Outlook or both, want mail, calendar and tasks in one place, and want an assistant that prepares the work and waits for you. Automatic replies exist, but only inside limits you set and can pause.
Otto does not fit if you want a native Mac or Windows desktop app, because Otto runs in the browser and on iPhone. It does not fit if you need CRM views inside the inbox: Superhuman lists HubSpot, Salesforce and Pipedrive on its Business plan, and Otto has no such integration. And if shortcut-first speed is the whole point, Superhuman is built around it. Otto has keyboard triage, but it is one feature among several.
Side by side: Otto vs Superhuman. If cost is the main question, read the free Superhuman alternative.
What to test before you switch
Run one ordinary week in the new app and watch for four things. First, whether the keyboard flow you rely on has an equivalent, since muscle memory is the real switching cost. Second, whether your follow-up reminders and snippets carry over or need rebuilding. Third, which of your accounts the app supports. Fourth, what you would pay once any trial ends, and what is on the plan you would actually buy. Switching in two stages, one account first, keeps a bad week from costing you a real one.
How we checked this
Last reviewed 9 October 2026. Sources: Superhuman's Mail page and plans page, Shortwave's provider guide and pricing page, and Spark's pricing page. Otto is our product, so weigh the Otto notes accordingly. Nothing here is paid placement and there are no affiliate links. We read each product's own pages on 9 October 2026 and did not run a head-to-head test. Plans, limits and features change, so confirm on the linked pages before you pay.
Questions, answered
Is there a free alternative to Superhuman?
Yes. Otto Free covers one connected Gmail or Outlook account with core mail, calendar, tasks and an AI allowance. Spark has a Free plan with unlimited accounts, and Shortwave documents a free plan. Their limits differ, so check each plan page.
Does Superhuman work with Outlook?
Its Mail page says Superhuman Mail is built for teams that use Gmail or Outlook. Check the plans page for what your plan includes.
Which Superhuman alternative works with both Gmail and Outlook?
Otto connects Gmail and Outlook accounts. Spark connects Outlook, Exchange, iCloud, Yahoo and IMAP accounts among others. Shortwave's docs say Microsoft 365 and Exchange are not supported at this time.
Try your next step in Otto
Core mail, calendar and tasks are free. AI has an allowance.
Open Otto