Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Rainloop VS HEY

Compare Rainloop VS HEY and see what are their differences

Rainloop logo Rainloop

RainLoop is a web based email client.

HEY logo HEY

Email at its best, new from Basecamp.
  • Rainloop Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-19
  • HEY Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-06

Rainloop features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Rainloop has a clean and intuitive interface that is easy to navigate, providing a good user experience even for those who are not tech-savvy.
  • Lightweight
    Being a web-based email client, Rainloop is lightweight and does not require heavy server resources, which ensures faster loading times and performance.
  • No Database Required
    Rainloop operates without requiring a database, simplifying the installation process and reducing potential points of failure.
  • Support for Multiple Email Providers
    It supports various email protocols such as IMAP and SMTP, and works seamlessly with major email services like Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook.
  • Modern Features
    Features like two-factor authentication (2FA), PGP encryption support, and integration with third-party services add to security and functionality.

Possible disadvantages of Rainloop

  • Limited Customization
    While Rainloop offers a range of functionalities, its customization options are somewhat limited compared to other email clients.
  • Lacks Advanced Features
    For advanced users, Rainloop might lack certain features like advanced filtering, tagging, or extensive plugin support.
  • Dependency on External Libraries
    Rainloop relies on some external libraries, which could pose security risks or lead to compatibility issues if those libraries are not maintained.
  • Paid Version for Advanced Features
    Some advanced functionalities and features are only available in the paid pro version, such as ActiveSync support and administrative settings.
  • Limited Community Support
    The community around Rainloop is smaller compared to more widely used email clients, which might limit the availability of community-driven support and plugins.

HEY features and specs

  • Privacy-focused
    HEY places a strong emphasis on user privacy. It blocks spy pixels and prevents senders from knowing when, where, and if emails are opened.
  • Clean Interface
    The user interface of HEY is minimalist and designed to reduce clutter, helping users focus on important emails.
  • Innovative Features
    HEY offers unique features like the Screener, which allows users to vet new senders, and The Feed, which collects all newsletters for easy reading.
  • Unified Platform
    Everything in HEY happens within a single, unified platform, eliminating the need for multiple email clients or add-ons.

Possible disadvantages of HEY

  • Cost
    HEY is a paid service with a yearly subscription fee, which could be a deterrent for users accustomed to free email services.
  • Limited Integration
    Compared to other email services, HEY has limited third-party integrations which might be a downside for users who rely on external apps.
  • Learning Curve
    The unique approach and innovative features may require some time to get used to, especially for users who are accustomed to traditional email systems.
  • Lack of Local Email Client Support
    HEY does not support traditional email protocols like IMAP or SMTP, meaning users cannot use it with their favorite local email clients.

Analysis of Rainloop

Overall verdict

  • Rainloop is a solid choice for users looking for a no-fuss, efficient, and customizable webmail client. Its performance, ease of use, and support for multiple email services make it a popular option.

Why this product is good

  • Rainloop is a lightweight and user-friendly email client that offers seamless integration with various email services such as Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, and others. It provides a clean and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to navigate. The client supports multiple accounts and has a high level of customization. Additionally, Rainloop is open-source, which means it benefits from community-driven improvements and security reviews.

Recommended for

  • Individuals looking for a lightweight webmail client
  • Users who manage multiple email accounts
  • Open-source enthusiasts
  • Those who require a straightforward and fast interface

Analysis of HEY

Overall verdict

  • Overall, HEY is generally regarded as a positive option for those seeking a fresh take on email management with strong privacy features. However, it may not be ideal for everyone, as it requires a subscription fee and may lack some of the advanced features offered by more established email services.

Why this product is good

  • HEY is considered good due to its emphasis on privacy, simplicity, and unique approaches to email management. The platform offers features such as the Screener, which helps filter emails from new senders; Focus & Reply, which simplifies the inbox by delaying some emails; and attachment management systems that improve overall user experience. Furthermore, HEY takes a strong stance against ad tracking and prioritizes user privacy.

Recommended for

  • Individuals who prioritize privacy and are concerned about ad tracking.
  • Users who prefer a minimalistic and streamlined email interface.
  • Those who are willing to pay a subscription fee for enhanced privacy and unique features.
  • People looking for a new way to manage their emails and are open to adapting to a different email organization system.

Rainloop videos

How to install RainLoop Webmail

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to install Rainloop Webmail 1.12.0 on Ubuntu 18.04
  • Tutorial - How to install RainLoop E-Mail Client in Ubuntu

HEY videos

Hey Review: Why this $99 per year email is Superhuman's Most Exciting Challenger | Keep Productive

More videos:

  • Review - All You Need to Know About Hey.com
  • Review - HEY Email Review (and Full Tour)!
  • Review - HEY.com changed the way I emailโ€ฆ
  • Review - Why are Hey Dudes suddenly everywhere?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Rainloop and HEY)
Email
22 22%
78% 78
Email Management
25 25%
75% 75
Email Clients
21 21%
79% 79
Enterprise Communication
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Rainloop and HEY

Rainloop Reviews

Top 15 Self-hosted open-source free web-based email clients
RainLoop integrates seamlessly with Google, Facebook, Twitter and Dropbox. It features a messages' folder management, media-rich email rendering, advanced attachment management, keyboard shortcuts, multiple email accounts manager, and more.
Source: medevel.com
15 Best iRedMail Alternatives 2021
Rainloop is a modern email server with an easy installation process and support for SMTP and IMAP protocols like STARTTLS and SSL. It delivers a seamless performance and OTA upgrades without the need for a database.
5 open source webmail clients for browser-based email
Next up is Rainloop. Rainloop is a very modern entry into the webmail arena, and its interface is definitely closer to what you might expect if you're used to Gmail or another commercial email client. It comes with most features you've come to expect, including email address autocompletion, drag-and-drop and keyboard interfaces, filtering support, and many others, and it can...
Source: opensource.com

HEY Reviews

ProtonMail Compares Apple to Mafia, Says App Was Forced Into In-App Purchases in 2018
Apple apparently told ProtonMail "out of the blue" that it was required to add an in-app purchase option to stay in the โ€ŒApp Storeโ€Œ. Similar to the situations with HEY and Wordpress earlier this year, ProtonMail had a mention of paid plans in the app, which prompted Apple to ask for the same subscription options to be offered via in-app purchase.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, HEY seems to be a lot more popular than Rainloop. While we know about 24 links to HEY, we've tracked only 1 mention of Rainloop. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Rainloop mentions (1)

  • Meet PostPilot
    Have a local mail server be part of your development environment, along with a frontend like SquirrelMail or RainLoop. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago

HEY mentions (24)

  • How Solid Queue Became the Rails 8 default, and More on Open Source Maintainership
    Seven gems to manage background jobs. The team looked at what they were running and said "this can't be right." That became the brief for Solid Queue. Rosa got picked for the project, built it in production at Hey first, iterated on it for months, and shipped it into Rails 8. She keeps calling it luck. I don't think it's luck. - Source: dev.to / 28 days ago
  • The death of cloud centralization: Last decadeโ€™s internet had a gravity problem
    Basecamp: After using clouds from both Amazon and Google extensively over the past 15 years, we finally had enough of the outrageous bills and the ever-increasing complexity. So in 2023, we pulled Basecamp, HEY, and five other heritage apps out of AWS and onto our own hardware โ€” without adding any new staff. - Source: dev.to / 11 months ago
  • From React to Hotwire - Part II - [EN]
    Attending the latest edition of Rails World and watching the talk by DHH made me realize that generating views on the backend with Rails was no longer synonymous with slow, ugly interfaces that do not care about UX. With Hotwire, through Turbo and Stimulus, it was possible to create applications as complex as Gmail, Hey, or Slack, Campfire. And this became even more surreal with Turbo 8. - Source: dev.to / about 2 years ago
  • HEY.com Review: A Game-Changer or A Gimmick?
    In June 2020, Basecamp decided to take on the giants of email service providers with the launch of HEY.com, aiming to revolutionize the way we interact with our inboxes. Touted as the email service for those who love email but hate its clutter, HEY.com has certainly generated buzz. But does it live up to the hype? Let's delve into its features, usability, and overall value proposition. - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
  • Don't upload your PWA to the app stores
    HEY is a big company, with financial resources and a large social media following. If even they feel bullied by Apple, just imagine what it's like for smaller app developers. And HEY is not even a PWA โ€“ it's a native app. - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Rainloop and HEY, you can also consider the following products

Mailpile - Mailpile is a modern, fast web-mail client with user-friendly encryption and privacy features.

Mailo - Mailo is an email client where you can send and receive emails to and from anyone with an email address.

Horde - Horde Groupware is a free, enterprise ready, browser based collaboration suite.

Soverin - Soverin is the honest email service that doesnโ€™t sell your data.

Roundcube - Web-based IMAP email client

Cypht - All your E-mail, from all your accounts, in one place. Cypht is like a news reader, but for E-mail.