SaneBox vs Boomerang: Which I Prefer

Last Updated on March 14, 2024 by Ewen Finser

If you are trying to figure out if Boomerang or SaneBox is the right option for you, you are in the right place.

In the last few years the market for inbox optimization, filtering, organization, and cleaning has grown significantly.

Email IS the central DNA for almost everything we do now. And this means many of us need to Marie Kondo our inbox!

If you are like me, my inbox is absolutely flooded with “important” emails that don’t actually have a home OR a prioritization associated with them.

This is why I wanted to put Boomerang vs SaneBox to the test. And this is comparison is how I went about validating my final choice.

But first…

What are SaneBox and Boomerang?

SaneBox and Boomerang are both email management services designed to help users better manage their incoming emails and increase their productivity.

SaneBox, launched in 2010, uses AI-driven technology to filter your emails into appropriate folders, helping you prioritize important emails and sort the rest to deal with later.

Boomerang, on the other hand, is an email scheduling service that lets you schedule emails to send at a future date. It also offers features like email reminders and read receipts, helping you stay on top of your communication.

Main Differences Between SaneBox and Boomerang

These are the key differences that I see between Boomerang and SaneBox for the average user:

• Email Management Approach: SaneBox focuses on automatically sorting incoming emails into various folders based on importance, while Boomerang more about tooling, such as scheduling emails to be sent later and temporarily removing emails from your inbox and bringing them back at a specified time.
• Core Features: SaneBox offers additional features such as SaneLater, SaneNoReplies, and SaneBlackHole for filtering less important emails, whereas Boomerang’s core features include email scheduling, recurring email messages, and read receipts.
• Compatibility: SaneBox works across multiple email platforms by filtering emails server-side, while Boomerang is primarily a plugin for Gmail and Outlook.
• User Interface: SaneBox operates mostly in the background with minimal interface interaction, while Boomerang adds buttons and scheduling options directly into the email client’s interface.

The Core Features of SaneBox

SaneBox offers a range of features designed to help users manage their inbox effectively. Here’s a look at some of its key features.

1. SaneLater

SaneLater is the most popular feature of SaneBox. This feature moves all unimportant emails into a separate folder, allowing you to focus on the emails that matter most.

2. SaneBlackHole

SaneBlackHole is a feature that lets you banish unwanted emails by moving them into this folder. Once an email is in this folder, you’ll never hear from that sender again.

3. SaneReminders

SaneReminders alert you to send a follow-up email when you’ve not had a reply for a specified number of days. This ensures that you never forget to follow up on important emails.

4. Snooze Folders

SaneBox’s Snooze Folders allow you to hit snooze on an email, and it will reappear in your inbox after the set time. This way, you can focus on your immediate tasks without worrying about forgetting to reply to an email.

5. SaneDigest

SaneDigest is a feature that gives you a daily digest of how SaneBox has performed. This can help you train it better to suit your email management needs.

The Core Features of Boomerang

Boomerang, like SaneBox, offers several features to help manage your inbox. Here are some of its standout features.

1. Send Later

The Send Later feature allows you to schedule emails to be sent at a future date and time. This feature is particularly useful if you work with people in different time zones.

2. Boomerang Reminders

Boomerang Reminders are designed to help you follow up on important emails. You can set a reminder to be sent if your recipient hasn’t replied or opened your email by a set time.

3. Inbox Pause

Inbox Pause is a feature that stops new emails from coming into your inbox until you’re ready for them. This can help you focus on important tasks without being distracted.

4. Respondable

Respondable is an AI assistant that helps you write better, more effective emails. It analyzes your word choices and gives you real-time feedback to improve your email communication.

Comparing SaneBox and Boomerang

While both SaneBox and Boomerang offer useful features, their focus and functionality are different.

SaneBox primarily focuses on managing incoming emails, using AI to filter emails into appropriate folders. It also learns from your actions over time, improving its sorting accuracy as you use it.

Boomerang, on the other hand, is more about managing outgoing emails. It allows you to schedule emails, set reminders for follow-ups, and even pause your inbox.

In terms of pricing, both services offer a range of plans. SaneBox offers four plans, ranging from $7 a month to $36 a month. Boomerang, meanwhile, has plans starting at $4.99 per month, going up to $49.99 per month.

Other Alternatives to SaneBox and Boomerang

There’s a growing field of competitors worth considering as well, many of which I – and our editorial team – have tested and written about previously. Here’s some additional comparisons to consideR:

• SaneBox vs ActiveInbox
• SaneBox vs Superhuman
• SaneBox vs Clean Email
• SaneBox vs Mailstrom
• SaneBox vs Mailbutler

Whether SaneBox or Boomerang is right for you depends on your specific needs and preferences.

Looking to Restore Inbox Sanity? If your main issue is dealing with an overwhelming number of incoming emails, SaneBox is definitely the more suitable option, with its AI-driven sorting and filtering capabilities.

Looking for a Smart Email Toolset? If, however, you often find yourself needing to schedule emails for later or set reminders for follow-ups, Boomerang’s features might be more aligned with your needs.