Superhuman
Premium email client at a premium price.
why this verdict
Downgrade — pay for the workflow, not the AI
Gmail and Shortwave cover the headline feature free, so the $30/mo is now paying for the workflow around it.
- A named launch, not a vibe named, unlinked
- Gemini in Gmail + free AI drafting. OpenAI, June 25, 2024 — no announcement link recorded yet.
- How much of the job it covers headline only editorial call
- The headline feature, but not the workflow, data or integrations around it.
- Is there a free way to do it? yes
- 3 of 3 listed replacements have a usable free tier: Gmail, Shortwave and Notion Mail.
- What the call is worth $360/yr
- $30/mo at the entry paid tier — $360 a year per seat.
- Threatened by
- OpenAI
- Since
- June 25, 2024
- List price
- $30/mo
- Per year
- $360
The backstory
Superhuman is a fast, keyboard-driven email client whose AI drafting, triage and follow-up reminders helped justify a $30-a-month price. Gmail now does much of that natively with Gemini, at no extra cost, which undercuts the premium AI pitch. It's wounded because the standout AI features are being matched by the free inbox most of its users already have, though Superhuman's speed, keyboard shortcuts and design polish still appeal to power users who value the experience itself.
Escape hatches
switching could free up $360/yrFree email with Gemini drafting
workspace.google.com open_in_newAI email client on Gmail, free tier
shortwave.com open_in_newAI-native email client
notion.com open_in_new3 of 3 replacements have a usable free tier.