Sanebox is an email-management service that uses folder-based filtering and server-side training to sort messages across providers like Gmail, Outlook, and IMAP. Many users rely on it for triage folders such as SaneLater. It is a long-running paid product with a 14-day trial instead of a permanent free tier.

How does PureBox compare to Sanebox?

PureBox is review-first and Gmail-direct: it finds important messages first, groups cleanup into Attention, Archive, and Trash, and waits for your approval before applying changes to Gmail. Sanebox is folder-first and relies more on server-side filtering behavior. Both reduce inbox noise, but PureBox makes the review step visible before action.

Is PureBox cheaper than Sanebox?

PureBox Pro is $7.99 monthly or $59.90 yearly after the no-card Free scan, which shows sample results from up to 1,000 emails. Sanebox starts at $7 monthly for Snack and scales to higher plans for more accounts and features. Total cost depends on account count and the feature depth you actually need.

Can I switch from Sanebox to PureBox?

Yes. Connect Gmail to PureBox, run the no-card Free scan, and review proposed actions before applying anything. If you cancel Sanebox, your mail stays in Gmail and you can keep or remove existing folders as preferred. Switching does not require exporting data or migrating mailbox files between systems.

Does PureBox work with the same email accounts as Sanebox?

Not yet. PureBox currently supports Gmail and Google Workspace inboxes. Sanebox supports a broader set of providers, including IMAP and iCloud. If you need multi-provider coverage today, Sanebox may fit better. If your workflow is Gmail-focused, PureBox offers a simpler review-first cleanup flow.

PureBox vs Sanebox

A calmer alternative to Sanebox for people who want time back and control over cleanup

PureBox works directly in Gmail: it finds mail worth seeing first, explains safe cleanup suggestions, and waits for your approval before anything changes.

Start free scan See how it works

No-card Free scan · Review before applying

See what matters first

PureBox pulls important emails into view before you start approving Archive or Trash cleanup.

Review before anything moves

Every suggestion includes a reason before you apply it. Approved actions happen in Gmail and appear in History.

Time back, week after week

Tracks keep cleanup organized, while minutes and hours saved show the outcome.

When PureBox fits better than Sanebox

You want clear explanations before PureBox applies anything to Gmail.
You want cleanup organized into clear tracks, with time saved as the outcome.
You want a calm, single-screen workflow rather than a server-trained filter.

When Sanebox may fit better

You run multiple inboxes across providers (IMAP, iCloud, Fastmail).
You already trust server-side training and don’t want a UI review step.
You depend on Sanebox-specific features like SaneAttachments or deferred reply.

We'd rather you find the right tool than the wrong subscription.

At-a-glance comparison

As of May 2026. Sources linked in the per-competitor profile.

Capability	PureBox	Sanebox
Important-first view before cleanup	PureBox advantage: Yes - finds important emails before cleanup	Folder-based filtering such as @SaneLater
Bulk unsubscribe	Not offered today	Add-on (SaneBlackHole)
Archive or Trash after review	PureBox advantage: Yes - review first, then Apply	Indirect (folder rules)
Action history and Gmail visibility	PureBox advantage: Yes - action history plus Gmail remains auditable	Correct folders manually in your mailbox
Time-saved metric shown to user	PureBox advantage: Shows reclaimable time before review and reclaimed time after Apply	No
Free scan or trial	PureBox advantage: No-card Free scan with inbox-specific results	No-card 14-day trial
Paid pricing	$7.99/month or $4.99/month billed yearly	From $7/month (Snack) to $36/month (Dinner)
Mailbox fit today	Gmail and Google Workspace. Other providers are not supported yet.	Gmail, Outlook, iCloud, IMAP
Data resale or third-party data sharing	PureBox advantage: No data resale or advertising use	Stated no - see policy
Permissions requested from Gmail	Secure Google Sign-In; restricted Gmail scopes	Full IMAP / Gmail access
Custom rules	PureBox advantage: Optional - not required to start	Yes
Mobile access	Mobile-friendly web app (no native app yet)	Works inside any IMAP client

Important-first view before cleanup
PureBox
PureBox advantage: Yes - finds important emails before cleanup
Sanebox
Folder-based filtering such as @SaneLater
Bulk unsubscribe
PureBox
Not offered today
Sanebox
Add-on (SaneBlackHole)
Archive or Trash after review
PureBox
PureBox advantage: Yes - review first, then Apply
Sanebox
Indirect (folder rules)
Action history and Gmail visibility
PureBox
PureBox advantage: Yes - action history plus Gmail remains auditable
Sanebox
Correct folders manually in your mailbox
Time-saved metric shown to user
PureBox
PureBox advantage: Shows reclaimable time before review and reclaimed time after Apply
Sanebox
No
Free scan or trial
PureBox
PureBox advantage: No-card Free scan with inbox-specific results
Sanebox
No-card 14-day trial
Paid pricing
PureBox
$7.99/month or $4.99/month billed yearly
Sanebox
From $7/month (Snack) to $36/month (Dinner)
Mailbox fit today
PureBox
Gmail and Google Workspace. Other providers are not supported yet.
Sanebox
Gmail, Outlook, iCloud, IMAP
Data resale or third-party data sharing
PureBox
PureBox advantage: No data resale or advertising use
Sanebox
Stated no - see policy
Permissions requested from Gmail
PureBox
Secure Google Sign-In; restricted Gmail scopes
Sanebox
Full IMAP / Gmail access
Custom rules
PureBox
PureBox advantage: Optional - not required to start
Sanebox
Yes
Mobile access
PureBox
Mobile-friendly web app (no native app yet)
Sanebox
Works inside any IMAP client

Privacy and data stance

PureBox

Minimum Gmail OAuth scopes. We never sell your email content and we never use it for advertising. You can disconnect at any time and your messages stay where they are. Read our privacy policy.

Sanebox

Sanebox states it processes headers and metadata on its own infrastructure and does not sell user data. See the Sanebox privacy policy for current language.

Pricing

PureBox

No-card Free scan shows sample results from your Gmail, with a hard ceiling of 1,000 emails across Attention, Archive, and Trash. Pro is full inbox coverage + ongoing relief at $7.99/month or $59.90/year ($4.99/month effective).

See full pricing

Sanebox

Paid only after a 14-day trial. Plans range from $7/month (Snack, 1 account) to $36/month (Dinner, 4 accounts), billed monthly or annually.

Sanebox pricing →

As of May 2026.

What you actually do in PureBox

1. Connect your Gmail with minimum permissions.
2. Review suggestions, sender by sender, before anything moves.
3. Apply approved Archive, Trash, and label actions to Gmail.

Your Gmail stays as it is until you approve a suggestion. After Apply, the action happens in Gmail and appears in PureBox History. Google handles sign-in, so your Gmail password stays with Google.

PureBox dashboard showing the Attention, Cleanup, and Track surfaces with time-saved metric. — The PureBox dashboard surfaces Attention, Cleanup, and Track in one calm view - and shows the time you’ve saved this week.

Frequently asked questions

What is Sanebox?
Sanebox is an email-management service that uses folder-based filtering and server-side training to sort messages across providers like Gmail, Outlook, and IMAP. Many users rely on it for triage folders such as SaneLater. It is a long-running paid product with a 14-day trial instead of a permanent free tier.
How does PureBox compare to Sanebox?
PureBox is review-first and Gmail-direct: it finds important messages first, groups cleanup into Attention, Archive, and Trash, and waits for your approval before applying changes to Gmail. Sanebox is folder-first and relies more on server-side filtering behavior. Both reduce inbox noise, but PureBox makes the review step visible before action.
Is PureBox cheaper than Sanebox?
PureBox Pro is $7.99 monthly or $59.90 yearly after the no-card Free scan, which shows sample results from up to 1,000 emails. Sanebox starts at $7 monthly for Snack and scales to higher plans for more accounts and features. Total cost depends on account count and the feature depth you actually need.
Can I switch from Sanebox to PureBox?
Yes. Connect Gmail to PureBox, run the no-card Free scan, and review proposed actions before applying anything. If you cancel Sanebox, your mail stays in Gmail and you can keep or remove existing folders as preferred. Switching does not require exporting data or migrating mailbox files between systems.
Does PureBox work with the same email accounts as Sanebox?
Not yet. PureBox currently supports Gmail and Google Workspace inboxes. Sanebox supports a broader set of providers, including IMAP and iCloud. If you need multi-provider coverage today, Sanebox may fit better. If your workflow is Gmail-focused, PureBox offers a simpler review-first cleanup flow.

Ready for a calmer Gmail than Sanebox can give you?

Start free scan