The SaneBox Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about SaneBox in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
SaneBox
The Insider’s Guide
AI email filtering that works inside the email app you already use
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among email apps, read from SaneBox’s own pages.
Made by SaneBox, Inc. · checked Oct 4, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from SaneBox’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on SaneBox’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 4, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.2
GPA, above 9 of the 51 other email apps we grade
SaneBox is a filtering service that connects to an existing email account instead of replacing the email app. It learns which messages matter and moves the rest out of the inbox into folders such as SaneLater, and adds a daily digest, snooze folders, follow-up reminders and blocking of unwanted senders. It works with Gmail, Microsoft 365, iCloud, Yahoo, Fastmail and other IMAP or Exchange accounts, and plans differ by how many accounts and features they cover.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about SaneBox, taken from its own pages and our grades.
The phone apps are companions, not mail clients.
- 1
Best for filtering the email app you already use
SaneBox is a filter that sits behind your current email app and moves mail it judges less important into a SaneLater folder.
- 2
Paid plans start at $4.92 a month when paid by the year
As its pricing page puts it: $6.99 per month, or $58.99 per year (App Store in-app prices).
- 3
You can try it first
7-day free trial of any plan, no credit card required
- 4
It runs on 3 platforms
Web, iOS and Android.
- 5
SaneLater filtering
Analyzes how you handle email to judge what matters, then moves unimportant messages out of the inbox into a separate SaneLater folder.
- 6
SaneBlackHole
Send a sender to the BlackHole and their future messages are kept out of your inbox for good.
- 7
Daily Digest
A daily summary of the unimportant, unopened email that was filtered. Digests can also be processed in the iOS and Android companion apps.
- 8
A 2.2 GPA, above 9 of 51
That is against the other email apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
To replace SaneBox you would be making connections to other products, each kept working as those products change. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
SaneBox at a glance
- Pricing
- Free trial, from $6.99 per month, or $58.99 per year (App Store in-app prices)
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- 7-day free trial of any plan, no credit card required
- Runs on
- Web, iOS, Android
- Made by
- SaneBox, Inc., since 2010
- Category
- Email Apps
- Our grade
- 2.2 GPA, fair
- Store rating
- 4.6 on the App Store, 649 ratings
The report card
Best for filtering the email app you already use
SaneBox is a filter that sits behind your current email app and moves mail it judges less important into a SaneLater folder. There's no free plan, only a 7-day trial. Snack at $6.99 a month covers 1 account and 2 features, Lunch at $11.99 covers 2 accounts and 6 features, and every feature needs Dinner at $35.99 a month. The phone apps are companions, not mail clients.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | D | Snack is $6.99 a month for 1 account and any 2 features, Lunch $11.99 for 2 accounts and 6, and the whole thing only arrives with Dinner at $35.99 a month or $299.99 a year, which is far above this category's $8 middle and its $25 dearest tenth. A steep climb for filtering. |
| Free plan and trial | C | No free plan. You get a 7-day free trial of any plan with no credit card required, then it's a paid subscription or nothing. We think a week is short for a filter that has to learn your habits. |
| Features | C | The filtering job is done completely: learning what matters and moving the rest to SaneLater, a Daily Digest of what went, SaneBlackHole for senders you are done with, snooze folders and do-not-disturb. But it is a filter behind your mail app, not a mail app, and cheaper plans ration it to 2 or 6 features. |
| Ease of use | B | 4.6 from about 650 App Store ratings, too few ratings for our top mark. There's no new app to learn either: its folders appear in whichever email client and device you already use. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | A web account plus iPhone and Android companion apps, and it connects to Gmail, Microsoft 365, iCloud, Yahoo, Fastmail and other IMAP or Exchange accounts, so its folders turn up everywhere. Those phone apps aren't mail clients, and nothing beyond mail accounts is listed. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who SaneBox is for
- Fits if you want to keep your current email app and move low-priority mail out of the inbox
- Works for schools, non-profits and government agencies, who get 25% off any plan
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you want a free plan, as there's only a 7-day trial
- Pricey if you want every feature, since only Dinner has them all at $35.99 a month
- Not for you if you want a new email app, because SaneBox only filters the one you have
- Tight if you have more than 1 account on Snack or 2 on Lunch, which also ration you to 2 or 6 features
- Watch out: these are App Store prices, and SaneBox's own pricing page can show different figures
Good to know
Good for
- People who want to keep their current email app and add smarter filtering
- Inboxes crowded with newsletters and notifications
- Anyone who wants a reminder when a sent email gets no reply
Worth knowing
- There is no free plan; a paid subscription is needed once the free trial ends.
- Snack covers 1 email account and 2 features, and Lunch covers 2 accounts and 6 features. Only Dinner includes everything.
- It is not an email client: the iOS and Android apps are companions for digests, snoozing and blocking senders.
- Prices here are the US App Store's in-app prices. SaneBox's own pricing page can show different figures and also sells a two-year term.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$4.92
A month to start, paid by the year
SaneBox is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $6.99 per month, or $58.99 per year (App Store in-app prices).
We think a week is short for a filter that has to learn your habits.
Snack
$6.99
per month, or $58.99 per year (App Store in-app prices)
1 email account and any 2 SaneBox features of your choice.
Lunch
$11.99
per month, or $98.99 per year (App Store in-app prices)
2 email accounts and any 6 features, which can be toggled on and off from the account.
Dinner
$35.99
per month, or $299.99 per year (App Store in-app prices)
4 email accounts and access to every SaneBox feature.
Trying it first
7-day free trial of any plan, no credit card required
Read from apps.apple.com on Oct 4, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Annual discount
About 30% less with yearly billing
On the App Store listing, Snack is $58.99 a year against $6.99 a month, Lunch $98.99 against $11.99 and Dinner $299.99 against $35.99, roughly 30% less than paying monthly.
Stated on apps.apple.comEducation
25% off for educational institutions
SaneBox states that educational, non-profit and government agencies can get a 25% discount on any plan.
Stated on sanebox.comNonprofit
25% off for non-profits and government
The same 25% discount on any plan is offered to non-profit organizations and government agencies.
Stated on sanebox.com
What the app costs elsewhere
Each country’s App Store price for “Monthly Lunch”, against $11.99 in the United States, in dollars at the day’s rate. The four cheapest and the four dearest of 11.
| Country | Price there | In dollars | Against the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey | ₺65,99 | $1.34 | 89% less |
| Philippines | ₱ 289.00 | $4.60 | 62% less |
| Indonesia | Rp 95ribu | $5.31 | 56% less |
| India | ₹ 549 | $5.68 | 53% less |
| Australia | $19.49 | $13.61 | 13% more |
| Germany | 13,49 € | $15.12 | 26% more |
| Mexico | $279.00 | $15.33 | 28% more |
| United Kingdom | £11.99 | $15.85 | 32% more |
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
3
Places it runs: Web, iOS and Android
AI email filtering that works inside the email app you already use. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: AI features, inbox filtering, workflow automation.
Those phone apps aren't mail clients, and nothing beyond mail accounts is listed.
- SaneLater filtering
- Analyzes how you handle email to judge what matters, then moves unimportant messages out of the inbox into a separate SaneLater folder.
- SaneBlackHole
- Send a sender to the BlackHole and their future messages are kept out of your inbox for good.
- Daily Digest
- A daily summary of the unimportant, unopened email that was filtered. Digests can also be processed in the iOS and Android companion apps.
- Snooze and follow-up reminders
- Snooze folders bring a message back to the inbox later, and SaneReminders flags sent emails that have not received a reply.
- SaneDoNotDisturb
- Holds incoming email during quiet time set aside for focused work and delivers it afterwards.
- Works with your current email
- Connects to Gmail, Microsoft 365, iCloud, Yahoo, Fastmail, IMAP and Exchange accounts, so its folders show up in whichever email client or device you use.
Where it runs
- Web
- iOS
- Android
What it works with
- Gmail
- Microsoft 365
- Apple iCloud
- Yahoo Mail
- Fastmail
- AOL Mail
- Microsoft Exchange
SaneBox is made by SaneBox, Inc., and has been around since 2010.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
9/51
Other email apps it is graded above
SaneBox's GPA of 2.2 is higher than 9 of the 51 other email apps we grade, and level with 9.
It stands best on ease of use (B, above 32 of 51) and worst on value for money (D, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $4.92 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $4.99 for the category: 21 of the 45 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.7 out of 4. 6 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 52 email apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. SaneBox’s own letter is outlined.
- DValue for moneyAbove 0 of 51
- CFree plan and trialAbove 4 of 51
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 51
- BEase of useAbove 32 of 51
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 15 of 51
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 50 email apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. SaneBox is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace SaneBox you would be making connections to other products, each kept working as those products change. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 33 of the 51 other email apps grade higher. It costs $58.99 a year.
What you could not
- Connections to other products, each kept working as those products change.
- Filters that read every message as it arrives.
- A real app for iOS and Android. Something home-made would be a web page.
- AI features, unless you pay a model provider for each request yourself.
What this rests on. SaneBox’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Shortwave, Spark Mail, HEY and Superhuman Mail
The 4 tools SaneBox is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.6GPA
Shortwave
Free plan · from $18/mo
AI email client for Gmail with an assistant, filters and split inbox.
- Shortwave has a free plan. SaneBox does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Shortwave lists macOS and Windows apps.
- SaneBox also covers inbox filtering and workflow automation.
- 3.0GPA
Spark Mail
Free plan · from $8.25/mo
Email client with a unified smart inbox, AI tools and team features.
- Spark Mail has a free plan. SaneBox does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only SaneBox lists a web app.
- Only Spark Mail lists macOS and Windows apps.
- 2.4GPA
HEY
Free trial · from $99/yr
Email service and calendar with sender screening, from 37signals.
- Only HEY lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- SaneBox also covers inbox filtering and workflow automation.
- HEY also covers templates, calendar and email client.
- 2.2GPA
Superhuman Mail
From $25/mo
Keyboard-driven email client for Gmail and Outlook with built-in AI.
- Only Superhuman Mail lists macOS and Windows apps.
- Only Superhuman Mail lists a browser extension.
- SaneBox also covers inbox filtering and workflow automation.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
15
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is SaneBox free?
No, SaneBox is a paid product, but you can try it first. 7-day free trial of any plan, no credit card required.
How much does SaneBox cost?
SaneBox lists 3 plans. Snack: $6.99 per month, or $58.99 per year (App Store in-app prices).
What platforms does SaneBox work on?
SaneBox is available on Web, iOS and Android.
Does SaneBox offer any discounts?
SaneBox publicly lists the following: About 30% less with yearly billing; 25% off for educational institutions; 25% off for non-profits and government.
How is SaneBox rated?
SaneBox's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.6 out of 5 from 649 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 5, 2026.
Does SaneBox have a Windows app?
No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 4, 2026. SaneBox is listed for Web, iOS and Android.
Does SaneBox have a macOS app?
No macOS app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 4, 2026. SaneBox is listed for Web, iOS and Android.
Is SaneBox open source?
SaneBox is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 4, 2026.
What does SaneBox integrate with?
SaneBox's listing names Gmail, Microsoft 365, Apple iCloud, Yahoo Mail, Fastmail, AOL Mail and Microsoft Exchange.
Does SaneBox have a student discount?
25% off for educational institutions. SaneBox states that educational, non-profit and government agencies can get a 25% discount on any plan.
Who makes SaneBox?
SaneBox is made by SaneBox, Inc. It dates from 2010.
What are the alternatives to SaneBox?
The closest alternatives to SaneBox in our directory are Shortwave, Spark Mail, HEY and Superhuman Mail.
How does SaneBox compare with other email apps?
SaneBox's GPA of 2.2 is higher than 9 of the 51 other email apps we grade, and level with 9.
Is SaneBox good value for money?
ToolGPA grades SaneBox D for value for money. Its paid plans start at $4.92 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $4.99 for the category: 21 of the 45 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of SaneBox?
To replace SaneBox you would be making connections to other products, each kept working as those products change.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from SaneBox’s own pages on Oct 4, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from SaneBox's own pages on 4 October 2026, and its App Store rating. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-06-30.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by SaneBox, Inc. Prices change, so check sanebox.com before you buy.
- sanebox.com
- apps.apple.com/us/app/sanebox-ai-email-cleaner/id1497929071
- sanebox.com/help/201-which-subscription-plans-can-i-choose-from
- sanebox.com/help/202
- sanebox.com/help/207-what-do-i-get-with-the-lunch-subscription
- sanebox.com/help/212-what-do-i-get-with-the-dinner-subscription
- sanebox.com/help/145-why-sanebox-is-not-free
- sanebox.com/help/411-sanebox-companion-app-for-ios
- blog.sanebox.com/2026/09/09/sanebox-is-now-on-android/
- sanebox.com/faq
- sanebox.com/about
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- SaneBox, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/sanebox
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "SaneBox: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 4, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/sanebox
Know someone choosing between email apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/sanebox/guide
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See our other guides
The best-graded email apps after SaneBox, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Email Apps Insider's GuideEvery one of the 52 email apps we grade, compared
- Microsoft Outlook Insider's GuideMicrosoft's email and calendar app for desktop, mobile and web3.6 GPA
- BlueMail Insider's GuideCross-platform email client with a unified inbox and built-in AI3.2 GPA
- Thunderbird Insider's GuideFree, open-source email app for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what SaneBox’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. SaneBox is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by SaneBox, Inc. Prices and plans change: check sanebox.com before you buy.