AI email assistants , by Missive Inc. , since 2015
Missive
Shared team inbox combining email, chat, and AI drafting in one collaborative app
- WEB
- DESKTOP
- MOBILE
- API
What Missive does
Missive merges email, SMS, and social messages into shared team inboxes with internal chat, task assignment, and rules-based automation. Its AI assistant (using Anthropic, OpenAI, or Gemini, either via Missive credits or a bring-your-own-key setup) drafts, translates, and summarizes messages, built for small support/sales teams that need one shared tool instead of separate email clients.
What you get: Shared team inboxes, Internal chat on email threads, AI drafting (multi-provider, BYO key), Rules & automations engine, Task assignment, SMS & social channel merging, API access.
Typical jobs: shared inbox for support team with ai; email client with team chat built in; gmail alternative for agencies; automate email workflows with rules.
Worth knowing: AI drafting is not free-flowing, it consumes Missive credits or requires connecting your own LLM API key, adding a variable extra cost.
What users complain about: Users say 'searching for particular tax forms or document types across all our client emails could be better,' and that the mobile experience 'isn't quite as seamless' as desktop. (Capterra reviews)
Pricing and plan limits
Verified August 2026| Plan | Monthly | Annual (per mo) | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $14 | $11.20 | Up to 5 users; up to 10 personal + 5 shared accounts/user |
| Productive | $24 | $19.20 | Up to 50 users; up to 1,000 rules/automations |
| Business | $36 | $28.80 | Unlimited users |
Where it wins
- True shared-inbox / team collaboration (internal chat, task assignment) beyond just AI drafting
- Flexible AI: bring your own OpenAI/Anthropic/Gemini key instead of paying only for Missive credits
- Automations/rules engine (up to 1,000 rules on Productive+) for real workflow automation
- SOC 2 Type II certified on every tier, useful for support/agency teams
- 30-day free trial, no credit card required
Where it falls short
- AI drafting needs either Missive credits or your own paid API key, an extra cost on top of the subscription
- Per-seat pricing 'skyrockets' for larger teams per user reviews
- Search/indexing across large volumes of email can lag
- Mobile app is noticeably less capable than the desktop client
- Requires switching your whole team to a new client rather than layering onto Gmail/Outlook
How we scored it
Full methodology| Criterion | Weight | Score | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capability | 30% | 7.5 | 2.25 |
| Value for money | 25% | 7.0 | 1.75 |
| Ease of use | 15% | 7.0 | 1.05 |
| Maturity | 15% | 8.5 | 1.27 |
| Support & docs | 10% | 7.5 | 0.75 |
| Momentum | 5% | 7.0 | 0.35 |
| Weighted total | 100% | 7.4 | 7.40 |
Alternatives to Missive
Chosen by editors, not sponsors-
MailmeteorFreemiumHas a free tier
-
SaneBoxPaidCheaper entry plan at $7/mo
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Spark MailFreemiumHas a free tier
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MailMaestroFreemiumHas a free tier
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