ProtonMail
End-to-end encrypted email service from the Proton team.
Alternatives · 2026
Alternatives to Superhuman
Premium keyboard-driven email client built for speed.
5 hand-curated alternatives from MintedSaaS's directory. See the Superhuman listing →
Superhuman is a premium keyboard-driven email client designed for power users who handle email volume at scale. Built on a freemium-to-paid model, it sits at the high end of the email-client market—positioned above Gmail and Outlook, below enterprise MDM solutions. The product trades a clean interface and speed optimizations for a $30/month price tag and a curated onboarding process. It appeals to sales professionals, executives, and anyone billing by the hour who measurably saves time on email handling.
Most Superhuman users are comparison-shopping because they've hit friction with standard email apps: slow search, keyboard workflow gaps, or features that don't scale with inbox volume. They're willing to pay for speed, or they're evaluating whether Superhuman's price justifies its claimed time savings. Others land here because they want keyboard shortcuts without learning Vim, or they're testing whether a paid client truly outpaces the free tools they already know. If you're in that camp, the five products below offer different angles on email efficiency—some free, some encrypted, some team-focused, one built explicitly as a Gmail-killer by a founder frustrated with the product itself.
What we offer that competes
Tutanota
Open-source encrypted email and calendar service.
Hey
Opinionated email service from the makers of Basecamp.
Spark
Smart email client with team inbox and shared drafts.
What to look for
- Whether the email client supports your email provider without forcing a new email address or account
- Whether keyboard shortcuts for common actions are documented and customizable without a sales call onboarding
- Whether the client can handle team or shared inboxes, or if it's single-user only for one account per person
- Whether end-to-end encryption is offered and whether it works across all connected devices and apps
- Whether you can export emails and data to standard formats (MBOX, EML) if you decide to switch later
- Whether native mobile apps exist for iOS and Android, or if mobile access is browser-only
FAQ
Which email client is fastest for keyboard-only navigation?
Superhuman is built around keyboard shortcuts and claim fast email processing. Spark and Hey offer keyboard support but aren't as laser-focused on it. ProtonMail and Tutanota prioritize encryption over speed and don't emphasize keystroke efficiency. For pure keyboard speed, Superhuman remains the most intentional.
Are there free alternatives to Superhuman?
Hey, ProtonMail, Tutanota, and Spark all have free tiers; Missive's free plan covers basic team email. Superhuman doesn't offer a free tier—only a paid trial. The catch: free email clients trade fewer features (filters, automation, templates) than Superhuman includes out of the box.
What's the best email client for team collaboration?
Missive and Hey both prioritize shared inboxes and team workflows. Superhuman is single-user only. ProtonMail and Tutanota are designed for individual privacy, not team work. Spark sits in the middle—it supports shared mailboxes but isn't as purpose-built for teams as Missive.
Which email clients offer end-to-end encryption?
Tutanota encrypts everything by default. ProtonMail encrypts email and calendar events, with optional PGP support. Superhuman, Hey, Spark, and Missive do not offer E2E encryption—they rely on Gmail or other IMAP/SMTP backends which don't encrypt at rest on your client.
Can I use these email clients across phones, tablets, and desktops?
Spark, ProtonMail, and Tutanota offer native apps on iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows. Superhuman is browser-based and works on any device with a web browser. Hey and Missive both support mobile apps and web clients. Desktop support varies—check each product's platform list before committing.
What makes Hey different from Superhuman?
Hey is built by Basecamp and focuses on email wellness: screening incoming mail, bundling newsletters, and reducing noise. It's $99/year. Superhuman focuses on speed and keyboard efficiency for high-volume senders. Hey is opinionated about *receiving* email; Superhuman is built for *processing* it fast.
Do these alternatives work with Gmail, Outlook, and other email providers?
Superhuman, Spark, and Missive work with any IMAP/SMTP email account. Hey and ProtonMail are proprietary email systems—you get a @hey.com or @protonmail.com address. Tutanota is also proprietary. If you want to keep your existing email address, Superhuman, Spark, and Missive are your options.
Which email client integrates best with CRM and project tools?
Superhuman has limited integrations outside email. Spark integrates with Salesforce, Pipedrive, and common tools via Zapier. Missive connects to Slack, project management platforms, and CRMs natively. ProtonMail, Tutanota, and Hey are email-first and don't prioritize external integrations.