For a while now, we’ve witnessing a shift in the app landscape. Luxury software as a category is here, transforming how we think about everyday tools. Email, once a utilitarian tool for communication, is now a canvas for status and sophistication.
Superhuman – with over $100 million raised across 8 rounds – leads the charge here, but it’s not alone. A cadre of premium apps in other categories – like Roam, Linear, etc are redefining the market. They’re not just tools; they’re statements. And they come with a price tag that reflects their elevated position. The need for the target audience not just about having more features. It’s about an app that claims to saves you time like no other, and is exclusive.
Superhuman’s ascent isn’t just about email; it’s a beacon for the premiumization of apps. We’re witnessing a shift where users are willing to pay more for a tailored, premium experience. Superhuman’s success is a testament to this trend.
💎Luxury apps are the favorite of the time-poor, cash-rich, attention-deficit multitaskers who need to get to Inbox Zero or they will drown in info overload and can’t “get shit done” anymore.
— Andric (@astralwave) May 3, 2020
In this analysis of the Superhuman app (which I landed on after desperately looking for alternatives to Inbox by Gmail years ago), I explore why it’s considered one of the best email productivity apps in the market, despite its steep price of $30 per month. Superhuman wants to stand out for its speed, efficiency, and premium features. But it also comes with a learning curve and a price tag that probably isn’t justifiable for most email users – especially when most other alternatives are literally free.
I also compare Superhuman Email with other top email apps, evaluate its long-term benefits, and look behind the scenes to understand what makes Superhuman a unique player in the market of premium email services.
Superhuman Email Review: The TL;DR
- Superhuman’s speed and efficiency are central to its appeal.
- Priced at $30 per month, Superhuman is a premium option best suited for heavy email users who value their time.
- It is available across major platforms, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, with features like snippets and keyboard shortcuts.
- While Superhuman leads in premium features, alternative email apps like Spark Mail and Shortwave offer competitive productivity tools at lower costs.
- The high cost and learning curve are its primary drawbacks, but its focus on AI and productivity are well executed and indicative of future trends in email apps.
Breaking Down the Superhuman Email Experience
Education and Onboarding: Getting the Most Out of Superhuman
Jumping into Superhuman, the onboarding process was interesting. It’s not just about downloading an app; it’s an initiation into a productivity cult. You’re not left to fend for yourself; there’s a structured path to mastery:
- A personalized setup session with a Superhuman concierge
- Tailored walkthroughs to align with your workflow
- Continuous learning resources (via emails from the team) to keep you sharp
The learning curve is steeper than your average email client, but the payoff is a streamlined email experience that feels almost telepathic.
Speed and Efficiency: The Core of Superhuman’s Appeal
Superhuman had me zipping through emails in quick time. But let’s not sugarcoat it; there’s still a learning phase – I took a while to truly understand all its shortcuts. You’re not only learning your way around an app; you’re learning a philosophy of email management – that of the email triage.
Once I got used to it, I zipped through inboxes that once felt like black holes. Every click, every command, every search—did deliver. There’s something about it that made me want to finish my emails as if they were tasks on a todo list. This is made possible by:
- Instantaneous UX: transitions, load times etc
- Keyboard shortcuts for power users
- Predictive typing with AI assistance
Superhuman is designed to make you want to finish your email – I’ve observed this both when I’ve been on it and off it. The little things, like:
- Your calendar popping up when your email chain mentions a time (or even implies it with words like today, tomorrow etc),
- the Undo Send that’s on by default, and
- The Social Network insights on people in your thread, instantly available
All of these add up to a positive experience that’s hard to let go of.
Keyboard Shortcuts
At the heart of Superhuman’s magic is its set of keyboard shortcuts. Nearly every action – from composing a new message to archiving a thread – can be executed without touching your mouse. It’s a bit of a learning curve at first, but once you master the shortcuts, you’ll be flying through your inbox at warp speed. The command center is the “Superhuman Command” (accessible via Cmd+K on MacOS), which lets you execute any action or navigate to any part of the app.
To be fair, Superhuman didn’t invent keyboard shortcuts – you could use them on Gmail too, and nearly every other email app. But Superhuman is the first (or best) email app to make it a core part of its UX.
Other UX Standouts
Superhuman is packed with thoughtful touches that make managing email feel less like a chore. Snippets let you insert common phrases or entire message templates with a couple keystrokes. Read statuses show you when recipients have opened your messages – a feature I regularly rely on for my sales emails.
Superhuman’s AI features, like auto-summaries and instant replies, leverage the power of GPT to help you plow through your inbox even faster. One of my favorite features is the “Remind Me” function, which lets you snooze messages out of your inbox until you’re ready to deal with them. Just hit a shortcut, tell Superhuman when you want the message to return (in plain English!), and poof – it’s gone until you need it.
I’ve tried equivalent features on other apps like Spark email and they just don’t work as well – they are clunky, they don’t take plain English, and overall just ruin the experience.
Platform Availability: Where Can You Use Superhuman?
Available on the big four – Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android – Superhuman has got the key platforms covered. You’re in the club whether you’re tapping out emails on your iPhone or drafting them on your desktop.
It also supports Gmail/Google Workspace, and Outlook – which should cover the majority of work email users.
Having said that, this aspect is where I’ve also seen parts of Superhuman that I disliked: the team doesn’t ship fast. The Android app came out after years of waiting, and when it did, it didn’t feel anywhere as polished or refined as the other versions. The Superhuman team will tell you it takes time to build the excellent email app they claim to be, but I had a hard timing believing that when I used Superhuman on Android for a long time since its release.
Many features seem to be surprisingly missing too: you can’t clear the trash yet (the team suggests I go to my Gmail and clear it from there – why?!), and they still haven’t built in functionality to mark emails as read when I mark them as done. Plenty of other feature requests to the team are also still yet to be fulfilled after more than a year.
The Cost of Premium: Is Superhuman Worth the Price Tag?
Let’s cut to the chase: is Superhuman worth it? At a steep $30 per month, you’re right to ask. That’s more than many of my streaming subscriptions combined.
I’ve been there, weighing the pros & cons, features, and pricing. And I’ve realised that for many users, Superhuman isn’t just an email app; it’s a statement of how you value your time. For those who live in their inbox, time saved is money earned. It’s a premium service, no doubt, but for the email-dependent professional, it positions itself as an investment that pays dividends in reclaimed time.
For the power user, the one who lives in their inbox, it’s a game-changer. Once you’ve experienced email the Superhuman way, it’s hard to go back. But if you’re a casual email user or can’t stomach the steep price tag though, you’re better off sticking with a free option like Gmail or Outlook.
For me personally, it’s been the design alone that kept me coming back despite wanting to leave -it was hard to let go of its Operator Mono Book typeface and overall minimalistic theme.
Also Read: How to Filter Emails in Gmail, Yahoo Mail, and Outlook
The Verdict: Should You Invest in Superhuman?
Long-Term Benefits: Is Superhuman Worth it?
After months of slicing through my inbox with Superhuman, I’ve noticed a pattern. My response times are quicker, my inbox is cleaner, and I’m spending less time on email overall. The productivity gains are real.
With Superhuman, it’s about more than just checking off emails. It’s about achieving a state of ‘inbox zero’ with a sense of accomplishment.
Speed is the name of the game with apps like Superhuman. It’s not just about how fast the app itself is; it’s about how quickly I can process my emails. I’m just compelled to do email more often and with more urgency. With keyboard shortcuts and AI-powered features, I’m doing in minutes what used to take hours.
On the other hand – for an app focused on speed, its team’s slow shipping has put me off on more than one occasion. And I do find myself eyeing Superhuman alternatives like Shortwave simply because I want to vote with my wallet.
Sign up for a free month on Superhuman to decide for your yourself.
The question isn’t just whether Superhuman enhances productivity—it’s by how much. And for me, the answer is clear: significantly.
Superhuman Alternatives Worth Considering: Finding Your Email App
When it comes to email apps, Superhuman sits unapologetically at the premium end, but what does that mean for your wallet? It’s not just about the price tag; it’s about the value.
We’ve established that the concept of these email apps makes sense. But does your choice have to be Superhuman? What if you’re cruising on a budget? Let’s talk alternatives. Your perfect email app is out there, and it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.
- Spark has free plans available, but in my opinion falls short on experience. The UX isn’t anywhere close.
- Hey Email: Innovative with its ‘Imbox’ and sender vetting. Mid-tier pricing.
- Polymail: A step up for the pros, but still less than Superhuman.
- Shortwave: Perhaps the strongest alternative contender – my dealbreaker here being some UI decisions such as having the action bar on top instead of the bottom (making it harder on phones for my thumbs to tap).
The Bottomline
In the email productivity arena, Superhuman is a top-tier contender, albeit with a price tag that will raise eyebrows. How much is Superhuman worth? At $30 per month, it’s certainly not for the casual email user.
But for those who live in their inbox, the speed and efficiency gains could be well worth the investment. While it requires a learning curve, the payoff in productivity could be substantial.
If you’re someone who spends hours each day on email and values quick, streamlined communication, Superhuman might just be the supercharged email app you need. For others, more affordable alternatives like Shortwave or Hey Email might offer a better balance of features and cost. Ultimately, the decision to go superhuman with your email should hinge on how much you value speed and efficiency.
