SaneBox is an email-management service that uses folder-based filtering and historical engagement signals to sort messages across providers like Gmail, Outlook, and IMAP. Many users rely on folders such as SaneLater. It is a paid product with a 14-day trial.

How does PureBox compare to SaneBox?

PureBox is review-first and Gmail-direct: it finds important messages first, groups suggestions into Attention, Archive, and Trash, and waits for approval. SaneBox uses many of the same engagement signals but filters into folders automatically by default. PureBox makes the explanation and 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 can fetch up to 1,000 emails. SaneBox plans start at $24 yearly, while its one-account Snack plan costs $9.49 monthly or $65 yearly. Total cost depends on the SaneBox features and account count you 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 mailbox files.

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 SaneBox alternative that explains before it acts

SaneBox filters automatically by default. PureBox shows what matters, explains each suggestion, and waits for your approval.

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.

Approval is the default

PureBox waits for Apply Cleanup instead of asking you to correct filtering after it happens.

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 review to be the default rather than an optional mode.

When SaneBox may fit better

You run multiple inboxes across providers (IMAP, iCloud, Fastmail).
You prefer automatic server-side filtering and do not want a 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 August 2026. Pricing and privacy sources are linked below.

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 $24/year; Snack is $9.49/month or $65/year
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	States users are customers, not the product
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 $24/year; Snack is $9.49/month or $65/year
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
States users are customers, not the product
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

Google OAuth. We do not sell personal information or share it for behavioral advertising. Revoke access at any time. Read our privacy policy.

SaneBox

SaneBox states that it analyzes headers and metadata rather than message bodies. It names Leviathan Security Group, HackerOne, and Google restricted-scope verification. Read its privacy notice.

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

After a 14-day trial, plans start at $24 yearly. The one-account Snack plan costs $9.49 monthly or $65 yearly; higher tiers add accounts and features.

SaneBox pricing →

As of August 2026.

What you actually do in PureBox

1. Connect with Google OAuth. Your Gmail password stays with Google.
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 historical engagement signals to sort messages across providers like Gmail, Outlook, and IMAP. Many users rely on folders such as SaneLater. It is a paid product with a 14-day trial.
How does PureBox compare to SaneBox?
PureBox is review-first and Gmail-direct: it finds important messages first, groups suggestions into Attention, Archive, and Trash, and waits for approval. SaneBox uses many of the same engagement signals but filters into folders automatically by default. PureBox makes the explanation and 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 can fetch up to 1,000 emails. SaneBox plans start at $24 yearly, while its one-account Snack plan costs $9.49 monthly or $65 yearly. Total cost depends on the SaneBox features and account count you 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 mailbox files.
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.

See whether review-first cleanup fits your Gmail

Start free scan