Gadfly vs Superhuman

The Superhuman alternative that chases you until it is done

Superhuman makes you fast at clearing mail. Gadfly makes sure the mails that need you actually get done. Keyboard triage is there too (# delete, E archive, T to-do), with every account you have, for a third of the price.

Superhuman in one line

Good at: The fastest keyboard-driven inbox, with Remind Me and AI auto reminders.

Where it stops: No task object, no deadlines, Gmail and Outlook only, and three times the price.

Platforms: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, web. Price: From $30/mo.

Feature by feature

Gadfly compared with Superhuman
Feature Gadfly Superhuman
Turn an email into a to-do ✓ Yes — No
Every to-do gets a deadline automatically ✓ Yes — No
Deadline re-read when the thread changes ✓ Yes — No
Deadline shows the sentence it came from ✓ Yes — No
Pressure rises as the deadline nears ✓ Yes — No
Push before a to-do is due ✓ Yes ◐ Partly
To-dos on the iPhone lock screen ✓ Yes — No
To-do widget on the home screen ✓ Yes — No
Starred mail becomes to-dos ✓ Yes — No
Follow up if no reply ◔ Coming ✓ Yes
Any IMAP account (iCloud, Fastmail, your domain) ✓ Yes — No
Mail and to-dos in one app ✓ Yes — No
No ads, mail is not the product ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Price €9/mo From $30/mo

✓ yes · ◐ partly · ◔ coming · ? not documented · — no. From each product's own docs and pricing pages, checked November 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we fix it.

What you get with Gadfly that Superhuman does not have

Pressure that rises until it is done Only in Gadfly

Every to-do sits in a band set by its deadline: calm, hot a week out, burning two days out, critical once overdue. As the date nears it climbs, and critical ones break through your quiet hours. Other apps remind you once; Gadfly keeps the pressure on.

Lock screen and home screen widgets Only in Gadfly

Your hottest to-dos on the iPhone lock screen and home screen, critical first, plus unread count. Private on a locked phone: band and short title only.

Deadlines that follow the conversation Only in Gadfly

When a new message arrives, the deadline is read again from the whole thread. "We will get back to you next week" moves it; a contract expiry stays put. A date you set is never touched.

Every to-do has a deadline Only in Gadfly

The date the mail states, else an estimate from what is asked and who is waiting, else a default by importance. No to-do can silently rot without a date.

Deadlines with evidence Only in Gadfly

A deadline taken from the mail shows the sentence it came from. No mystery dates.

Switching from Superhuman

What is the best Superhuman alternative for turning emails into to-dos?

Gadfly. Like Superhuman, it is a full mail client, but every email you need to act on becomes a to-do with a deadline read from the mail, and Gadfly keeps the pressure on (bands, nudges, lock-screen widgets) until it is done.

Is Gadfly cheaper than Superhuman?

Gadfly Pro is €9/month or €79/year after a 30-day free trial. Superhuman: From $30/mo (checked November 2026).

Can I keep my email address when switching from Superhuman?

Yes. Gadfly connects to the accounts you already have: Gmail, Microsoft 365, Outlook.com, iCloud, Fastmail and any IMAP server. Nothing moves; your mail stays with your provider.

Try Gadfly as your Superhuman alternative

Early sign-ups get 3 months of Pro free, not 1.

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