Software Alternatives & Startups

Rainloop VS HEY

Compare Rainloop VS HEY and see what are their differences

Rainloop

RainLoop is a web based email client.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
HEY

Email at its best, new from Basecamp.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Paid Free trial $99 / Annually

Which is more popular?

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.

social mentions
1 vs 24
Email popularity
21% vs 79%
alternatives listed
126 vs 240+

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Rainloop
HEY
Website rainloop.net hey.com
Pricing
Open source
Paid Free trial $99 / Annually Official pricing
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Rainloop 5 features
HEY 4 features
  • 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

  • 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.
  • 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

  • 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

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Rainloop
HEY

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

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.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Rainloop 3 videos + Add
HEY 5 videos + Add

How to install RainLoop Webmail

More videos

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

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

More videos

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

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Rainloop
HEY
21% 21%
79% 79%
24% 24%
76% 76%
18% 18%
82% 82%
100% 100%
0% 0%

User comments

Share your experience with using Rainloop and HEY. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Rainloop no reviews yet
HEY no reviews yet

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Rainloop 1 mention
HEY 24 mentions
  • Meet PostPilot
    Have a local mail server be part of your development environment, along with a frontend like SquirrelMail or RainLoop. - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • 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... - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • The death of cloud centralization: Last decade’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... - Source: dev.to / about 1 year 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... - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago

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Alternatives to Rainloop and HEY

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