HEY
From ~$99 per year
Gmail
Free / paid via Google Workspace
HEY is an opinionated, paid email service that rethinks the inbox with screening and built-in workflows. Gmail is the free, ubiquitous email tied to Google's ecosystem. HEY wins on fresh workflows and privacy ethos; Gmail wins on price, familiarity, and integration.
Pick HEY if you want a fresh, opinionated, privacy-minded email experience with screening and built-in workflows, and will pay for it.
Pick Gmail if you want free, familiar, powerful email with the deepest integration into the Google ecosystem.
HEY and Gmail represent two very different ideas of what email should be. HEY, from 37signals, is opinionated and paid: you screen new senders before they reach your inbox, separate receipts and newsletters into dedicated views, and lean on built-in workflows designed to make email calmer and more intentional. Gmail is the free, dominant email service, deeply tied to Google's ecosystem, with powerful search, generous storage, and integration with nearly everything.
On price, HEY starts around $99 a year, while Gmail is free for personal use (paid via Google Workspace for custom domains and business). The choice is mostly a fresh, opinionated, privacy-minded inbox (HEY) versus free, familiar, deeply integrated email (Gmail).
We compare inbox philosophy, screening, integrations, price, and ecosystem.
| Quick facts | HEY | Gmail |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From ~$99/year | Free (personal) |
| Sender screening | Best-in-class | Limited |
| Ecosystem integration | Limited | Best-in-class |
| Opinionated workflows | Best-in-class | Good |
| Best for | Fresh, intentional email | Free, integrated email |
Each row reflects the feature on each product's current public release.
| Feature | H HEY | G Gmail |
|---|---|---|
| Screen senders before inbox | Best-in-class | Limited |
| Built-in workflow views | Best-in-class | Good |
| Powerful search | Good | Best-in-class |
| Generous free storage | No | Yes |
| Deep ecosystem integration | Limited | Best-in-class |
| Privacy-minded design | Best-in-class | Good |
| Custom domain | Add-on (HEY for Domains) | Workspace |
| Free to use | No | Yes |
Pricing and features change often. Always verify the current details on each product's official site. Last reviewed 2026-06-26.
Things neither product's marketing page leads with.
HEY's screening and workflows make email calmer, but it costs money and breaks from familiar conventions and integrations.
Gmail is free and deeply integrated, but its inbox is conventional and tied to Google's data ecosystem.
For a rethink of email HEY appeals; for free, ubiquitous email Gmail wins.
The average person juggles a dozen subscriptions and forgets at least one. Subkept is a privacy-first subscription tracker: add HEY, Gmail, and everything else, then get renewal reminders, price-hike alerts, and a clear monthly total, with no bank connection, ever. Free for up to 5 subscriptions, no time limit.