Photo from Unsplash
Originally Posted On: https://blog.boxysuite.com/boxysuite-vs-superhuman/
Among many email providers today, Gmail has remained the most versatile, powerful, and thus, the most popular. However, like other email services, its website isn’t ideal for work and productivity. The other browser tabs cause distraction, content loads slow, and users can’t take full advantage of the service’s features.
Thankfully, there are now dedicated apps that improve the experience of using Gmail on desktops, particularly Boxysuite and Superhuman. Both clients have differences in function and design, making one better than the other. Regardless, this article will compare the two apps and explain why Boxysuite is the superior choice; please read on.
Features BoxysuiteSuperhuman $49/year$360/yearNotificationsMultiple Google AccountsGoogle Apps IntegrationTask ManagerQuick LauncherEmail Tracking DetectionInbox FiltersKeyboard ShortcutsReader ModeDefault Email ClientInstant Account SwitchingNative Desktop Apps for Gmail, Calendar, Contacts, & Keep Try Boxysuite for Free!
Boxysuite vs Superhuman: Features
Multiple Accounts & Email Services Support
On average, a person owns at least two email addresses, so a desktop Gmail app should support multiple accounts. Thankfully, Boxysuite accepts any number of logged-in Google accounts—it also supports other email services and addresses with custom domains (e.g., @acmeinc.com, @boxysuite.com). Additionally, it makes it easier to switch between accounts using hotkeys, Quick Launcher, and Menu Bar shortcuts, eliminating the need for multiple tabs/windows.
Superhuman also supports multiple Gmail accounts; however, too many steps are required to sign in to an account, which confuses new users and wastes time. Besides that, while it’s possible to switch between addresses with hotkeys, there’s no easy way to access accounts manually. Superhuman also only supports Gmail and Outlook, so users will have to install another client for other email providers and custom domain addresses.
Inbox Filters & Views
When it comes to the inbox, Superhuman has a very different approach than what Gmail offers. Instead of the classic but easy-to-understand three-pane mode (Menu > Folders > Inbox), it only shows the inbox for the most part. While this contributes to the app’s simplicity, it takes away the ability to switch between inbox folders quickly. Not only that, but Superhuman also doesn’t support custom label creation, a Gmail function that allows the moving of emails to new folders. Lastly, its AI-powered email sorting capabilities are hit or miss and, most of the time, inaccurate.
On the other hand, Boxysuite retains the already excellent inbox implementation of Gmail. As such, emails show up in the correct position (at the center), and the menus and folders are on the side but just a few clicks away. Boxysuite also fully supports the filters (day, week, month, and so on) and allows custom label creation for a personalized inbox. Lastly, Gmail’s accurate email sorting is left untouched, so important, promotional, and other email types will go to the respective folders.
Google Apps Integration
Boxysuite integrates with Google Calendar, Keep, and Contacts. Similar to its Gmail client, the individual app of each Google tool functions the same as its website counterpart but performs better. Each app can also open in a separate dedicated window and is accessible in the Mac dock and Launchpad. Unfortunately, Superhuman doesn’t support other Google apps, so people who rely on the company’s ecosystem will have to use browsers again.
Quick Contacts Saving
Not every email a person receives is from a saved or known contact. Often, there will be messages from new acquaintances, such as people, businesses, or organizations. All this to say that a desktop Gmail app should be able to handle new contacts well.
Luckily, Boxysuite retains Gmail’s quick contact saving feature. Simply click the “add to contacts” button in the profile preview, and the user will now be added to the phonebook. Also, Boxysuite’s Google Contacts app brings all saved contacts to the desktop, ready for organizing and editing. On the other hand, the mentioned feature is absent on Superhuman, and it doesn’t support
Google Contacts and the Apple Contacts program. Aside from that, while Superhuman offers social media insights for new contacts, the insights (name, company, job/role, etc.) are often incorrect.
Keyboard and Menu Bar Shortcuts
Superhuman offers hotkeys, but it can be challenging to remember the key combinations, even with practice. Such hotkeys also require more keypresses, which are inefficient compared to standard keyboard shortcuts. Moreover, Superhuman only provides basic and few Menu Bar actions, like email compose.
Regarding Boxysuite, all of the mentioned annoyances and limitations are replaced with convenient shortcuts. As such, Boxysuite uses native macOS key combinations, which most people are already familiar with; these hotkeys allow quick account switching, email/event composition, and more. Also, it has more Menu Bar shortcuts and even places individual icons of Google Calendar, Keep, and Contacts in the status bar for easy access.
Quick Launcher
Quick Launcher is an excellent feature of Boxysuite that makes important actions a few keystrokes or clicks away. In detail, it’s like Spotlight on macOS, only that it shows emails and inbox views (e.g., Sent, Snoozed, Starred) as results and allows quick account switching. It’s very intuitive and doesn’t require any configuration to work.
Moreover, Superhuman offers what it calls “Superhuman Command,” which works as a popup search feature. It can do several things, but users still have to insert lines of code manually to add commands, and accessing commands requires hotkeys memorization. Overall, it’s a capable functionality, but most users can’t take advantage of it due to the complex access method and setup process.
Task Managers Integration
Superhuman doesn’t work with task managers (to-do lists, kanban boards, schedulers), so users won’t be able to attach emails to task and event entries. In this case, Boxysuite has the upper hand thanks to its excellent task managers integration feature. As such, users can send emails, notes, and schedules to Things, 2DO, OmniFocus, Todoist, and other tools. Boxysuite also has a Google Calendar app, and it can communicate with its Gmail client for a seamless experience.
Email Tracking Detection
Aside from helping people manage emails better, Boxysuite also wants to protect everyone’s privacy. In order to get one step closer to this goal, it offers an exclusive Email Tracking Detection feature. What it does is detect emails that use tracking software and inform the user by showing a recognizable CCTV icon in the tampered message.
In great contrast, Superhuman is criticized by experts and privacy-conscious individuals for its read status feature. In action, the app embeds a tracking pixel in an email to track a contact or the recipient. What’s worse is that even if the recipient also uses Superhuman, it’s not possible to identify tracked emails sent by another Superhuman user.
Default Email Client Option
Boxysuite can be easily set as the default email client in macOS. By toggling a few options in the System Preferences, Boxysuite will then open when clicking “mailto” links or sharing something through email. It can launch the compose window quickly, and it integrates with Google Contacts so that users can write messages directly from the phonebook. Additionally, unlike Superhuman, it supports other email services and addresses with custom domains, so there’s no need to install another client.
Unfortunately, Superhuman isn’t quite an ideal app to replace the Apple Mail program. Its “email compose” method looks/functions differently, so it needs to do other processes before launching the text input area, which takes time. Also, it has a bug that many users still experience today, which is the sudden deletion of saved drafts. Lastly, Superhuman requires constant re-authorization to Google, a tiring and time-wasting task.
Reader More
Reader Mode is a feature of Boxysuite that improves the email reading experience. It hides extra icons/buttons in the message body and collapses the top and main menu. Additionally, it centers the content and allows a full-screen view for more focused and distraction-free reading.
On the other hand, Superhuman simplifies the message view by default; however, there are no options to show more details and use other functions quickly. It’s also impossible to view an email in full-screen, so it’s not the best for consuming newsletters. Moreover, Superhuman only shows up to 100 emails per view, like the Gmail website, and there is no color coding for multiple accounts, which can confuse users.
Gmail Signature, Out-of-Office AutoReply, and Multiple Inboxes Support
Superhuman’s simplicity increased its speed, but it also led to the removal of many great features of the Gmail website. For instance, it doesn’t support Gmail’s “signature” feature, which is essential for many people, especially professionals. Aside from that, the useful “Out-of-Office AutoReply” and “Multiple
Inboxes” modes are also taken away. Thankfully, Boxysuite understands that Gmail users need the features of the service. Accordingly, it retains the mentioned features that are missing in Superhuman and all functions that Gmail’s web app offers.
Why is Boxysuite the Best Alternative to Superhuman?
Boxysuite is the best among countless Superhuman email alternatives. It offers all the features of Superhuman in a better implementation that actually helps Gmail users. As such, it has a minimal interface, but all Gmail features are accessible within reach. It also retains the excellent functions of the service and makes its own features easy to set up and use.
In regards to features, it has many exclusive ones that are not available on Superhuman and other clients. Email Tracking Detection, Reader Mode, task managers integration, and Quick Launcher are a few examples of Boxysuite’s excellent features.
Boxysuite implements the authentic and familiar Gmail look, so users will feel at home and get comfortable using it in no time. Unlike Chrome and Superhuman, it doesn’t hog the memory (RAM) and runs smoothly. Moreover, Boxysuite is developed and maintained by an established and trusted company. Accordingly, there’s no need to worry about sudden app update cut-offs and privacy concerns like Superhuman’s email tracking controversy.
4 Reasons to Consider Boxysuite as Superhuman Alternative
Familiar Gmail Look and Features
Unlike Superhuman, Boxysuite preserved the interface of the Gmail website. As a result, the experience is very familiar, and even new users can pick up Boxysuite and start working right away. Additionally, this means that all the powerful features of the email service have remained accessible, including the smart compose suggestions, Google AI-powered search, and side panel for add-ons.
It’s Stable and CPU, Memory, and Battery-friendly
Boxysuite is very stable and runs smoothly. It’s the first and only macOS Gmail app, so it doesn’t hog the memory (RAM) and CPU’s processing power. Apart from that, it only stores a small-sized app file and doesn’t drain the battery, even when used for an extended period of time.
Offers Great Exclusive Features
Aside from Gmail’s functions, Boxysuite also offers its own set of features. In detail, it has Quick Launcher, Reader Mode, and task managers integration for enhanced productivity. Also, it protects user privacy with the accurate Email Tracking Detection function. When flying or going to a remote location, Boxysuite’s offline mode enables downloading emails and attachments from the last 30 to 90 days.
Implements Great Accessibility
Boxysuite balances accessibility and interface design very well. It presents the information and makes features within reach without cluttering up the display. While it might sound unimportant, it’s something worth pointing out, especially when considering Superhuman. Superhuman aims to be as simple as possible. However, due to that principle, it becomes confusing and unpleasant to use for most people. Also, as accessibility is about many things, the steep Superhuman email pricing ($30 monthly or $360 annually) makes it inaccessible for many Gmail users.
Sign Up How to Switch to Privacy Protected Boxysuite?
Superhuman privacy is criticized by many experts and countless security-conscious individuals due to the app’s read status feature. If unaware, this controversial feature works by embedding a tiny invisible pixel in every outgoing email to track contacts. Besides knowing whether the recipient has read the email or not, it also identifies the location where the recipient had opened the message. The read receipt feature can be associated with marketers, and many people are alright with it. However, the geolocation tracking practice is a serious privacy violation, especially since it’s not necessary for sending or receiving emails.
There are various Gmail clients that avoid such shady practices, but Boxysuite offers the best balance of features and privacy protection. It’s easy to switch from Superhuman to Boxysuite, and the process is as follows:
Step #1
Connect to a Wi-Fi and sync changes in Superhuman
Step #2
Go to Boxysuite’s website, click the “Try for Free” button, and fill out all details
Step #3
Download, install and launch the Boxysuite app
Step #4
Sign in to a Google account and add other accounts later or right after
Step #5
Access and use Gmail, Google Calendar, Contacts, and Keep right away
Google apps rely on the cloud and require constant syncing, so there’s no need to manually backup or transfer data. One will just need to sync quickly with the internet connection enabled, and it will be safe to log out of Superhuman. After that, everything will show up immediately on Boxysuite—users can then get back to work in no time. Lastly, Boxysuite doesn’t track messages and locations and instead protects its users with the Email Tracking Detection feature.
Conclusion
Superhuman brings a unique take to the traditional email approach. However, despite its efforts, it’s still not ideal for general work, multitasking, and doing tasks that require Gmail’s features which it had removed. Accordingly, Boxysuite remains the superior option among many clients in terms of design-function balance and especially privacy.
It preserves the authentic Gmail experience, offers useful features, supports multiple Google accounts and other email services, and is system resources-friendly. Most importantly, Boxysuite handles Gmail very well, keeping all the powerful features while optimizing performance.
Boxysuite is the first and only native macOS Gmail app, and it offers a clean/productive environment for emails, notes, and calendars. Clearly, Boxysuite is the best desktop Gmail client, so learn more or try it for free now!
