PureBox vs Sanebox

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

PureBox shows what matters first, explains safe cleanups, and lets you approve every action from one calm review workspace.

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Free sample scan · No credit card · You approve every action

See what matters first

The Attention surface separates signal from noise before you ever look at cleanup.

Review before anything moves

Every suggestion includes a reason before you apply it. History keeps actions reversible.

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 and approval before anything moves.
  • 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.

  • Important-first surface (separates signal before cleanup)

    PureBox

    ✓ Attention track

    Sanebox

    Folder-based filtering (@SaneLater)

  • Bulk unsubscribe

    PureBox

    Not offered today

    Sanebox

    Add-on (SaneBlackHole)

  • Bulk archive or trash with review step

    PureBox

    Yes

    Sanebox

    Indirect (folder rules)

  • Reversible actions / history of what was done

    PureBox

    ✓ History view

    Sanebox

    Move emails back manually

  • Time-saved metric shown to user

    PureBox

    ✓ Hours and minutes

    Sanebox

    No

  • Free tier description

    PureBox

    Sample scan, up to 1,000 emails, all three tracks

    Sanebox

    14-day trial only

  • 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

    No — see Privacy Policy

    Sanebox

    Stated no — see policy

  • Permissions requested from Gmail

    PureBox

    Minimum Gmail OAuth scopes

    Sanebox

    Full IMAP / Gmail access

  • Custom rules

    PureBox

    ✓ 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, share, or train on your email content. 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

Free is proof of value via sample with a hard ceiling of 1,000 emails. 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. 1. Connect your Gmail with minimum permissions.
  2. 2. Review suggestions, sender by sender, before anything moves.
  3. 3. Apply what you approve. Undo from history at any time.
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 time-focused: suggestions are grouped into Attention, Archive, and Trash tracks, each action waits for your approval, and the dashboard shows time saved. Sanebox is folder-first and relies more on server-side filtering behavior. Both aim to reduce inbox noise, but PureBox emphasizes direct review before actions and measurable time saved in one screen.

  • Is PureBox cheaper than Sanebox?

    PureBox Pro is $7.99 monthly or $59.90 yearly, and Free is proof of value via sample 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 Free sample, and review the 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?

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Free sample scan · No credit card · You approve every action