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Siftbox · Guides

SaneBox Alternative: Two Layers, Two Philosophies

SaneBox and Siftbox belong to the same family: a layer that works on the inbox you already use, without forcing a new mail client. This guide draws on SaneBox product and help pages (August 2026). Pricing and features may change: verify the official site at sanebox.com/pricing before you decide.

Comparison table

Sources verified in August 2026. Offers may change: check each publisher’s site.

  • Yes: criterion clearly covered per official sources.
  • Partial: limited feature, paid plan, or different experience.
  • No: criterion absent or explicitly out of scope.
  • N/A: criterion does not apply to this tool type.
Criterion Siftbox SaneBox
Readable classification reason per message Yes Partial
Explicit rule per sender Yes Partial
You keep your usual mail client Yes Yes
Gmail, Outlook, and generic IMAP (OVH, host, etc.) Yes Yes
iCloud or Yahoo support (indicative) No Yes
Europe-oriented hosting (indicative) Yes Partial
Trial without credit card (indicative) Yes Yes
AI-drafted replies Yes via MCP No
External AI assistant connectable (MCP) (Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor) Yes No
  • SaneBox: folder-based training; little per-message "why" in their UX.
  • Siftbox: drafting via external assistant (MCP), no built-in inbox draft. SaneBox: no integrated AI drafting (sources August 2026).
  • Siftbox: not iCloud or Yahoo until the product validates them.
  • Gmail, Outlook, and generic IMAP: both layers support native IMAP (OVH, Infomaniak, private host, etc.).
  • See the 4-tool comparison: /guides/comparatif-outils-triage-email

SaneBox at a glance (source: sanebox.com)

SaneBox, Inc. (United States) analyzes incoming messages and sorts them into dedicated server-side folders (SaneLater, SaneNews, SaneBlackHole, and others). Nothing to install: you keep Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail, Thunderbird, or any IMAP-compatible client. Training works by moving a message to the right SaneBox folder. Free 14-day trial, no credit card required.

SaneBox strengths

  • Works with most providers (Gmail, Microsoft 365, iCloud, Yahoo, Fastmail, IMAP, Exchange).
  • No new mail client: SaneBox promotes "Nothing to download".
  • Features beyond sorting: reminders (@SaneReminders), snooze, Daily Digest, BlackHole unsubscribe.
  • Privacy claims: analysis focuses on sender, subject, and date; no full body or attachment storage (per their security page).
  • 14-day trial without a card; Snack / Lunch / Dinner tiers (1 to 4 inboxes depending on plan).

Limits or things to watch

  • Little readable "why" per message: you mainly see the SaneBox folder, not a systematic explanation sentence.
  • US publisher and infrastructure: weigh this against your GDPR or data sovereignty requirements.
  • Pricing in dollars and tiers by inbox count and features: see sanebox.com/pricing (Snack from about $7/month or $59/year for 1 inbox, indicative August 2026).
  • Training by moving messages: powerful, but less immediate than a one-click correction with a displayed reason.

Gmail, Outlook, or generic IMAP?

Siftbox and SaneBox both cover Gmail, Outlook / Microsoft 365, and native IMAP (OVH, Orange, SFR, private host, etc.): you keep your usual mail client. That is not what separates them. Siftbox stands out on per-message reasons, sender rules, Europe, and drafting via MCP. Siftbox does not yet validate iCloud or Yahoo.

What you gain with Siftbox

  • Four actionable categories: Urgent, Important, To read, To ignore.
  • A short reason shown for each classification, correctable in one click.
  • Sender rule: you can ensure a client or colleague is never under-classified (an explicit rule you create, not automatic VIP detection).
  • Read-only: nothing is deleted or sent on your behalf.
  • Drafting via MCP: connect Claude, ChatGPT, or Cursor to rely on your sorted mail (no built-in draft).
  • Gmail, Outlook / Microsoft 365, and IMAP (not iCloud or Yahoo until the product validates them).
  • Free beta with no card, then €14.99 incl. VAT / month / sorted email account (or €149 / year).

What about drafting? Each tool, its job

Siftbox does not draft inside your inbox: a relevant reply runs through your CRM, client history, and the tools you already use. Siftbox sorts and explains; your AI assistant (Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor) can rely on your sorted mail once connected via MCP (Settings → AI assistants, optional module). SaneBox offers neither built-in AI drafts nor MCP linking.

Choose SaneBox if…

  • You want a mature layer without changing clients, including iCloud or Yahoo.
  • You value SaneLater, the Digest, and folder-based training.
  • Silent sorting is enough as long as noise goes down.

Choose Siftbox if…

  • You want to understand why a message is classified, message by message.
  • A key contact often lands in To read but you want them in priority: a sender rule fixes it without retraining the whole inbox.
  • You prioritize Europe, read-only access, and a simple promise (prioritize, not draft).
  • You want to connect ChatGPT, Claude, or another assistant to your email.
  • You want to test with no credit card during the beta.
Try Siftbox for free

Free beta · read-only · no credit card

Frequently asked questions

No for both: they are layers. You keep your usual client.

Compare official pricing at the time of your decision. Siftbox: free beta, then €14.99 incl. VAT / month / sorted account (or €149 / year). SaneBox: Snack / Lunch / Dinner tiers in dollars on sanebox.com/pricing.

Yes. You can create a sender rule to force a category (for example Important). This is not automatic VIP detection: it is an explicit rule you define.

Siftbox does not draft inside the inbox. After sign-up, you can connect Claude, ChatGPT, or Cursor via MCP (Settings → AI assistants). Guide: /guides/connecter-assistant-ia-siftbox. SaneBox does not cover external drafting.

Siftbox and SaneBox both cover generic IMAP. With Siftbox: create an account, connect your address and your host’s servers; read-only triage appears on all your devices. Compare triage style and hosting, not just the protocol.