Hey.com - Detailed Review
Productivity Tools
Hey.com - Product Overview
Hey.com Overview
Hey.com is an innovative email service developed by the creators of Basecamp, aiming to revolutionize how we manage our inboxes. Here’s a brief overview of its primary function, target audience, and key features:
Primary Function
Hey.com is an email client that focuses on simplifying and organizing your email experience. It uses an algorithm-driven system to sort and filter incoming emails, ensuring that only the most important ones reach your primary inbox. This helps in reducing email clutter and making it easier to prioritize your correspondence.
Target Audience
Hey.com is targeted at individuals and teams looking for a more streamlined and privacy-focused email solution. It is particularly appealing to those who value simplicity, efficiency, and strong privacy features. This includes small businesses, professionals, and anyone seeking to manage their emails more effectively.
Key Features
Email Organization
Hey.com allows you to merge separate emails into one thread, keeping conversations together on a single page. You can also “Set Aside” emails for easy access later, and use features like “Bubble Up” to schedule emails to reappear at a later time.
Privacy
One of the standout features is its ability to block email trackers, preventing companies from tracking when and where you open your emails. This enhances user privacy significantly.
Multi-Account Management
Users can link multiple HEY accounts, such as personal and work accounts, and view them together without needing to log in and out. This feature is particularly useful for managing different email identities in one place.
Collaboration Tools
HEY offers features like thread sharing, where you can include team members directly in email threads, and “Collections” which organize multiple threads into a single, easy-to-follow timeline. Private team comments are also available for internal discussions within email threads.
Scheduling and Automation
The service includes a “Send Later” feature to schedule email delivery at optimal times, and an “Away Autoresponder” to automatically reply to emails when you are unavailable.
Custom Domains
With HEY for Domains, users can use their own custom domain names for their email addresses, which is beneficial for reinforcing brand identity in business communications.
Improved Search and Filtering
HEY provides advanced search capabilities, allowing you to filter emails by sender, recipient, date, and labels. You can also find emails that include or exclude specific words.
Spam Management
The “HEY Spam Corps” feature allows users to mark emails as spam, which helps improve the system-wide spam filtering for all users.
Hey.com’s unique approach to email management, combined with its strong focus on privacy and collaboration, makes it an attractive option for those seeking a more efficient and secure email experience.
Hey.com - User Interface and Experience
User Interface and Experience of HEY.com
HEY.com, developed by Basecamp, is characterized by several innovative and user-friendly features aimed at simplifying and enhancing email management.
Interface Design
HEY.com boasts a fresh and playful design that, while initially bold and different, grows on users over time. The UI is clean and sharp, although some users might find certain aspects, like the partial dark mode, not fully to their liking.
Key Features
- The Screener: Acts as a first-contact filter, allowing users to decide who gets into their inbox. This feature ensures only approved senders’ emails reach the user, helping to keep the inbox clutter-free.
- Imbox: This is the main inbox where important emails are stored, separated from less urgent communications. The Imbox is designed to be clear and uncluttered, making it easy to distinguish between new and seen emails.
- The Feed and The Paper Trail: These features organize less urgent communications and transactions, respectively. The Feed handles newsletters and promotional emails, while The Paper Trail manages receipts and other transactional emails.
Ease of Use
HEY.com is designed to be intuitive, despite its radical departure from traditional email norms. Here are some key aspects that enhance ease of use:
- Simple Setup: Creating an account is straightforward, involving just three steps: name, email, and password.
- Customizable Swipe Actions: Users can customize swipe behaviors to mark emails as seen, unseen, or move them to specific folders like Set Aside or Reply Later.
- Quick Actions: Features like “Power Through New” allow users to quickly handle all unread messages with inline replies and quick actions.
- Accessibility Improvements: HEY has made several accessibility enhancements, including better screen reader navigation in the calendar and improved accessibility for creating and editing habits.
User Experience
The overall user experience is centered around making email more enjoyable and manageable:
- User Control: HEY emphasizes user control, allowing users to screen their emails, block tracking pixels, and manage their inbox with features like the Screener and Imbox.
- Organizational Tools: The service includes tools like “Set Aside” and “Reply Later” folders, which help keep the inbox organized. Users can easily move messages between these folders.
- Enhanced Composer: The email composer has been rebuilt to be faster, better offline, with smarter contact suggestions, and a more finger-friendly UI. It also supports drag and drop recipients and keyboard shortcuts for managing recipients.
- Additional Features: HEY includes features like location lookup in the calendar, an in-app video player, and the ability to print emails, which add to the overall usability and convenience.
Learning Curve
While HEY.com offers a fresh take on email, it does come with a learning curve. New users may need some time to adjust to the unique way of managing emails, but the interface is generally intuitive once familiarized.
In summary, HEY.com’s user interface is designed to be user-friendly, with a focus on simplicity, control, and organization. It offers a unique approach to email management that can make the experience more enjoyable and efficient for users willing to adapt to its innovative features.
Hey.com - Key Features and Functionality
Introduction
Hey.com, developed by the team behind Basecamp, introduces a fresh and innovative approach to email management, incorporating several productivity-enhancing features that leverage AI and other technologies. Here are the key features and how they work:Email Screening and Bundling
Hey.com uses sophisticated algorithms to filter and group incoming emails, directing important messages to the “Imbox” while segregating less critical emails like receipts and newsletters into other categories. This helps users focus on the most important emails, reducing inbox clutter.Send Later and Email Scheduling
Users can schedule emails to be sent at a specific time, which is particularly useful for communicating across different time zones. This feature allows you to compose emails at your convenience and have them delivered at the optimal time.AI-Driven Spam Filtering
Hey.com’s spam filters are continuously improved through user feedback, especially from those who join the “HEY Spam Corps.” This initiative allows users to mark emails as spam, which helps refine the system’s ability to identify and filter out spam emails.Email Tracking and Workflows
Hey.com offers email tracking tools that allow you to see when recipients open and read your emails. Additionally, the platform provides “Workflows” that help you define stages and visually track an email’s progress through multi-step processes, keeping all related notes and files in one place.Contact Notes and Private Comments
Users can add simple, searchable notes to any contact or email thread. These notes can include personal, private comments and files, ensuring all relevant information is kept within the context of the conversation.Search and Organization
The platform enhances search functionality by allowing you to refine search results by sender, recipient, date, and labels. You can also search emails in the Trash and find files without digging through entire threads. The “New For You” and “Previously Seen” sections keep new messages grouped at the top and older messages at the bottom, maintaining a neat and orderly inbox.Multi-Account Support and Cross-Platform Compatibility
Hey.com supports multiple accounts, allowing users to view personal and work emails together without needing to log in and out. The service also offers native apps for PC, Android, and iOS, ensuring a seamless experience across different devices.Automated Workflows and Reminders
Hey.com includes built-in workflows to automate repetitive tasks such as follow-up reminders and email scheduling. Features like “Bubble Up” allow you to resurface emails if you haven’t received a reply by a certain date, helping you stay on top of pending communications.Custom Domains and Team Collaboration
Users can utilize custom domains to strengthen their brand identity. The platform also offers features for team collaboration, including email aliases, thread sharing, and private comments accessible only to team members.Improved Autofiling and Labeling
Hey.com’s autofiling feature now applies labels based on addresses in the CC & BCC fields, not just the sender’s email address. This ensures that emails are categorized accurately, even in complex email threads.Send from External Addresses
Users can send emails from their @hey.com address as well as from external email addresses, making it convenient to manage multiple email accounts from a single interface.Undo Sending and Redeliver Emails
Hey.com allows you to undo sending an email within a few seconds if you catch a mistake or forget an attachment. You can also redeliver emails received in one account to another, helping keep personal and work emails separate.Enhanced Privacy and Security
The platform emphasizes strong data protection rules, end-to-end encryption, and virus/ransomware blocking to ensure elevated privacy and security for users.Conclusion
These features collectively make Hey.com a powerful tool for managing emails efficiently, leveraging AI and automation to streamline workflows and enhance productivity. Hey.com - Performance and Accuracy
Evaluating Hey.com
Evaluating the performance and accuracy of Hey.com, a productivity tool from Basecamp, reveals both impressive features and some significant limitations.
Performance
Hey.com is praised for its ability to streamline email management, making it more efficient and pleasant. Here are some key performance highlights:
- Email Filtering and Spam Blocking: Hey’s filtering system is highly effective, allowing users to categorize emails into different buckets such as important emails, newsletters, and transactional emails. The spam filter is particularly commendable, though some users have reported inconsistencies.
- User Interface and Workflow: The interface is sleek, simplistic, and user-friendly, with a mobile-first responsive layout. This makes it easy to manage emails across various platforms, including Linux.
- Time-Saving Features: Features like the ability to share email threads via links, set aside emails, and quickly process through emails have been well-received. These features help users spend less time on email processing and more time on relevant tasks.
Accuracy and Limitations
Despite its strengths, Hey.com faces several challenges and limitations:
- Spam Filtering Inconsistencies: Some users have reported that Hey’s spam filtering is not as reliable as other providers. Legitimate emails can end up in the junk folder, and obvious spam can slip through to the main inbox.
- Lack of Customization and Rules: Hey lacks the ability to create subject-based email filters, which can be a significant drawback for users who need to manage automated server-generated messages or form responses. Additionally, there is limited functionality for building rules, triggers, and automations.
- Integration Issues: Hey has limited integration options with third-party apps and services, which can be a problem for users who rely on these integrations for their workflow. For example, there is no calendar integration, forcing users to maintain separate services like Google Suite.
- Email Thread Management: The email thread management in Hey can be cumbersome, especially when dealing with long threads. The lack of thread collapsing makes it difficult to follow conversations.
- Image Embeds and Attachments: Hey’s approach to embedding images can cause issues when sending emails to users of other email services like Outlook, as these images are not treated as attachments.
Areas for Improvement
To enhance its performance and accuracy, Hey.com could focus on the following areas:
- Improving Spam Filtering: Enhancing the spam filtering algorithm to reduce false positives and ensure that legitimate emails are not misclassified.
- Adding Customization Options: Introducing more customization features, such as subject-based filters, to give users greater control over their email management.
- Expanding Integration Capabilities: Increasing the number of integrations with third-party apps and services to make Hey more versatile and compatible with various workflows.
- Enhancing Email Thread Management: Implementing features to better manage email threads, such as thread collapsing, to improve the user experience.
Overall, while Hey.com offers several innovative features that enhance email productivity, it still needs to address some critical limitations to become a more comprehensive and reliable email solution.
Hey.com - Pricing and Plans
Pricing Tiers
Hey.com has two main pricing editions:Hey Personal
- Price: $99 per year
- Features: This plan includes a @hey.com email address, 100 GB of storage, and access to all the unique features of Hey.com, such as the Imbox for screening important messages, a library for viewing attachments, focus mode for efficient email management, and strong privacy features that block pixel tracking technology and ensure your data is not sold.
Hey for Domains
- Price: $12 per month (or $144 per year)
- Features: This plan is designed for companies or individuals who want to use their own custom domain name. It includes email services with the same privacy and security features as the Hey Personal plan but allows the use of a custom domain instead of a @hey.com address.
Free Trial
Hey.com offers a free 30-day trial for both plans, allowing users to test the service without any obligation or the need to provide a credit card.Key Features Across Plans
- Privacy and Security: Both plans emphasize strong privacy and security, including the blocking of pixel tracking technology and the assurance that your data will not be sold.
- Email Management: Features like the Imbox, attachment library, and focus mode are available in both plans.
- Calendar: A new and innovative calendar feature is included in both plans, introduced in 2024.
- Data Export: Users can export their emails, calendars, and contacts in standard formats (MBOX and ICS files for emails and calendars, vCard for contacts) at any time.
Additional Details
- Email Address Ownership: If you pay for at least one year of the Hey Personal plan, your @hey.com email address is yours forever, even if you cancel the service. You can also set up forwarding to another email address.
- Billing and Cancellation: You can cancel at any time, and if you are a paying customer, you can export your data and set up email forwarding to another address.
Hey.com - Integration and Compatibility
Integrations
HEY.com interfaces with several third-party apps and services to simplify workflows and increase productivity. Here are some key integrations:
Desktop.com
HEY.com integrates with Desktop.com, which provides a comprehensive solution for online collaboration and organization. This integration includes features like global search, an integrated app store, bookmark management, password management, and a communication suite with chat, voice, and video call functionality.
Other Third-Party Apps
HEY Email supports various extensions and add-ons that allow users to customize their email experience. These integrations help in enhancing communication and collaboration, especially for businesses and teams.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
HEY.com ensures a unified experience across multiple platforms through its native apps:
Desktop Apps
HEY has native apps for macOS (12 or newer) and Microsoft Windows (10 or newer, with 32-bit not supported).
Mobile Apps
The service offers apps for iOS (17.2 or newer) and Android (10 or newer), although some Android devices, such as those from Huawei, are not officially supported.
Web Browsers
HEY is compatible with several desktop browsers, including Safari 17.2 , Firefox 125 , Chrome 120 , Edge 120 , and Opera 106 .
Additional Features
HEY.com’s integration and compatibility are further enhanced by its unique email management features:
Centralized Management
For businesses, HEY for Domains includes custom domains, centralized user management, and tools for collaborative email management.
Multi-Account Support
Users can link multiple HEY accounts and view them together without needing to log in and out of each account individually.
In summary, HEY.com integrates seamlessly with various productivity tools and offers comprehensive compatibility across different devices and platforms, making it a highly adaptable and efficient email solution.
Hey.com - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support Options
When using HEY.com, you have several customer support options and additional resources at your disposal to ensure a smooth and productive experience.Password Reset and Login Issues
If you encounter login issues, HEY provides a straightforward password reset process. You can go to the Forgot your password screen, enter your HEY email address, and HEY will send a password reset email to your backup email address. This email will contain a link to reset your password.2-Factor Authentication (2FA) Issues
For 2-Factor Authentication (2FA) issues, you can use recovery codes or reset your 2FA setup if you are logged in on another device. Detailed steps for these processes are available on the HEY help page.General Support
For any other issues or questions, you can reach out to HEY’s support team directly via email at support@hey.com. This is the primary channel for getting help with various aspects of the service, including technical issues, account management, and feature usage.FAQs and Documentation
HEY offers an extensive FAQ section that addresses many common questions and concerns. This includes information on using custom domains, importing emails from other services, setting up multiple accounts, and more. The FAQs are organized to help you quickly find answers to specific questions you might have.Feature Guides and Updates
The HEY website also provides detailed information on new features and updates. This includes guides on how to use new functionalities such as the HEY Calendar, Journal, and other productivity tools. These resources help you stay updated and make the most out of the service.Multi-Platform Support
HEY offers custom apps for Web, Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android, ensuring you can access your email and calendar across different devices. However, it’s important to note that HEY does not support IMAP or POP, so you cannot use third-party email apps to access your HEY account.Additional Resources
For users who need to manage multiple accounts or domains, HEY for Domains is available, offering features like Shared Threads and Collections that enhance collaboration. There are also resources for setting up external email addresses and managing contact groups.Community and Feedback
While there isn’t a dedicated community forum mentioned, the HEY for Families feature and other collaborative tools suggest a focus on user engagement and feedback. Users can also provide feedback directly to the support team, which helps in improving the service. By leveraging these support options and resources, you can ensure a seamless and productive experience with HEY.com. If you have any specific questions or issues, the support team and the comprehensive documentation are there to help. Hey.com - Pros and Cons
Advantages of Hey.com
Hey.com offers several features that enhance productivity and email management:
Email Management
- Screening Emails: You can screen emails just like you screen calls, giving you control over who can email you.
- Focus & Reply: This feature allows you to focus on emails marked “Reply Later” without distractions from new incoming emails.
- Collections: Combine multiple email threads into a single page, making project management and collaboration easier.
- Bubble Up: Schedule emails to float back up to your inbox at a specified time, similar to a snooze feature.
Calendar and Time Tracking
- HEY Calendar: A full-featured calendar with unique twists, including the ability to track time, log habits, and add tasks all in one place.
- Journal: A dedicated spot for daily notes, reminders, and reflections, integrated into the calendar.
Organization and Search
- New For You & Previously Seen: New emails are grouped at the top, and previously seen emails are at the bottom, keeping your inbox organized.
- Search Improvements: More relevant and actionable search results, with options to filter by attachment and see recent searches.
- Groups in Set Aside: Organize emails you’ve set aside into groups for better tracking.
Productivity Tools
- Power Through New: Quickly go through all your unread messages with inline replies and quick actions.
- Minimize Drafts: Minimize your email draft to the bottom of the screen while you reference other emails.
- Contact Groups: Easily send emails to groups like your team, book club, or family by typing the group’s name.
Accessibility and User Experience
- Accessibility Improvements: Enhanced screen reader navigation and other accessibility features in the calendar.
- Customization: Add background images to your day view, use color and background highlights in messages, and save clips from emails.
Disadvantages of Hey.com
While Hey.com offers many innovative features, there are some limitations and potential drawbacks:
Precision in Scheduling
- Scheduling emails and events is not very precise; for example, you can’t schedule an email to be sent at a specific minute, only at the top of the hour.
Strict Controls
- Some users might find the strict controls over who can email them too restrictive, although this is also a feature for many.
Cost
- Hey.com may be more expensive than some other email services, especially for additional features like HEY for Domains and HEY for Families.
Learning Curve
- The unique features and interface might require some time to get used to, especially for users accustomed to traditional email clients.
Overall, Hey.com is designed to streamline email and calendar management with a focus on productivity, but it may not be the best fit for everyone due to its specific features and pricing.
Hey.com - Comparison with Competitors
Unique Features of HEY.com
HEY.com, developed by 37signals, offers a fresh take on email and calendar management with several distinctive features:
- Email Screening: HEY allows you to screen emails similar to how you screen calls, giving you control over who can email you.
- Power Through New: This feature helps you quickly manage unread emails with inline replies and quick actions, keeping your inbox organized.
- Calendar Innovations: HEY Calendar includes features like location lookup, long press to add events, and the ability to end repeating events at a specific date or after a certain number of times.
- Journal and Notes: The calendar includes a Journal feature for daily notes and the ability to add private notes to any email thread.
- Accessibility Improvements: HEY has made significant improvements in accessibility, particularly in the calendar and habit tracking features.
Potential Alternatives
Notion
Notion is a well-known productivity tool that serves as a central hub for organizing and storing information. Here are some key differences and similarities:
- AI Integration: Notion’s AI capabilities help with generating text, autofilling databases, and answering specific questions about stored information. This is a strong point for Notion, especially for those needing comprehensive documentation management.
- Versatility: Like HEY, Notion is versatile and can be used for simple note-taking to complex database management. However, Notion’s focus is more on project management and documentation rather than email and calendar management.
Todoist
Todoist is another popular productivity tool, particularly for task management:
- AI Assistant: Todoist’s AI Assistant helps in breaking down tasks into smaller ones, making them more actionable, and providing tips for completion. This is different from HEY’s focus on email and calendar management.
- Task Management: While HEY does not have a built-in task management system like Todoist, it does offer features like the “Sometime this week” widget to keep track of tasks and events.
ChatGPT and Other AI Tools
Tools like ChatGPT offer a different kind of productivity enhancement:
- Virtual Assistant: ChatGPT acts as a virtual assistant, helping with tasks such as finding target keywords, writing HTML, and summarizing documents. This is more focused on general productivity and administrative tasks rather than email and calendar management.
Other Competitors
Other tools that might be considered in the broader productivity category, though not directly comparable to HEY’s email and calendar focus, include:
- Motion: Known for task management and AI integration, Motion offers features like customizable templates and workflows, but it is more geared towards task and project management rather than email.
- Otter and Fireflies.ai: These tools specialize in meeting transcriptions and are not direct competitors to HEY but can be part of a broader productivity toolkit.
In summary, while HEY.com excels in email and calendar management with unique features like email screening and a highly personalized calendar, alternatives like Notion and Todoist offer strong AI-driven capabilities in different areas such as project management and task organization. Choosing the right tool depends on your specific productivity needs.
Hey.com - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Hey.com
What are the pricing options for Hey.com?
Hey.com offers two main pricing editions. The “Hey Personal” plan costs $99 per year and includes a @hey.com email address and 100 GB of storage. The “Hey for Domains” plan is $12 per user per month and is designed for companies or individuals using their own custom domain name.Can I cancel my subscription at any time?
Yes, you can cancel your subscription at any time. If you’re still on the trial, you can export your email and contacts. If you’re a paying customer, you can export your email, contacts, and set up forwarding to another email address so you never lose any emails sent to your @hey.com address.What are some of the key features of Hey.com?
Hey.com includes several key features such as the “Imbox” to screen important messages, “Bubble Up” to schedule emails to float back up to your inbox, “HEY Journal” for daily notes, “Time Tracking” to record time spent on activities, and “Contact Groups” to easily send emails to groups. Additionally, it offers improved search functionality, the ability to download all attachments at once, and enhanced calendar features like location lookup and long press to add events.How does Hey.com handle privacy and security?
Hey.com prioritizes privacy and security by blocking all pixel tracking technology and ensuring that they never sell your data. This is a significant value proposition for users who are concerned about their online privacy.Can I use my own custom domain with Hey.com?
Yes, you can use your own custom domain with the “Hey for Domains” plan, which costs $12 per user per month. This plan is ideal for companies or individuals who want to maintain their professional or personal brand through their email addresses.What is the “Imbox” in Hey.com?
The “Imbox” is a feature in Hey.com that screens important messages, helping you focus on the emails that matter most. It acts as a filter to prioritize your emails, making it easier to manage your inbox.How does the “Bubble Up” feature work?
The “Bubble Up” feature is Hey’s take on snooze. If you don’t need to look at an email immediately, you can schedule a time for it to float back up to your Imbox. This helps you manage your emails more efficiently by delaying less urgent messages.Are there any accessibility improvements in Hey.com?
Yes, Hey.com has made several accessibility improvements, particularly in the calendar feature. These include improved screen reader navigation, easier jumping between weeks, and better accessibility for creating and editing habits, reviewing tracked time recordings, and marking tasks as completed.Can I download all attachments from an email at once?
Yes, Hey.com allows you to download all attachments from an email with just two clicks, making it easier to manage multiple attachments at once.How does the search function work in Hey.com?
The search function in Hey.com has been improved to make it more relevant and actionable. You can filter results by attachment, sender, recipient, date, and label. You can also refine your search to include or exclude certain words, and search within specific areas like the Imbox, The Feed, or Paper Trail.Is there a free trial available for Hey.com?
Yes, Hey.com offers a free trial. During the trial, you can experience the features and decide if the service meets your needs before committing to a paid plan. Hey.com - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of Hey.com
Hey.com, developed by 37signals, the creators of Basecamp, offers a unique and innovative approach to email management and productivity. Here’s a comprehensive look at who would benefit most from using Hey.com and an overall recommendation.Key Features and Benefits
Hey.com introduces several features that aim to make email management more efficient and user-friendly. Some notable features include:- Imbox Management: Hey.com separates new and previously seen emails, making it easier to manage your inbox. The “Power Through New” feature allows you to quickly handle all your unread messages.
- Email Screening: You can screen emails just like you screen calls, giving you control over who can email you.
- Calendar Integration: The HEY Calendar includes features like location lookup, long press to add events, and accessibility improvements. It also allows importing events via ICS files and offers various calendar widgets.
- Time Tracking: Users can track time spent on activities directly from their devices and view real-time durations.
- Privacy and Security: Hey.com prioritizes privacy, allowing users to add private notes to email threads and control who can email them.
Who Would Benefit Most
Hey.com is particularly beneficial for:- Busy Professionals: Those who need a more focused and efficient way to manage their emails will find Hey.com’s features, such as the Screener and Bubble Up, very useful.
- Individuals Valuing Privacy: Users who prioritize their online privacy will appreciate Hey.com’s privacy-focused features and the fact that it is privately owned.
- Teams and Small Businesses: While there is no free account, teams and small businesses can benefit from the organized email management and calendar integration, which can enhance their productivity.