us average uu. the worker spends 28% of their work week reading and responding to and sending emails. If you’re like the average worker, you spend more than 10 hours a week looking at your email inbox. And not all of this time is directly productive, as a good chunk of it is probably spent trying to figure out which tasks to prioritize.
Because gmail is such a powerful tool, there are many ways to improve your email productivity and reduce that time.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the best gmail plugins and extensions that can help you achieve this goal.
ready? Let’s get started!
google workspace marketplace vs chrome web store
Before we dive into the actual list, let’s first explain the terminology.
There are two places through which you can extend the functionality of gmail: the google workspace marketplace and the chrome web store.
Google Workspace Marketplace offers plugins that integrate directly with Google Workspace apps on the backend. they integrate with server side application, for example docs (which you can even import to wordpress), sheets or gmail. this is where you will find the gmail plugins.
The chrome web store, on the other hand, offers extensions that extend the functionality of your google chrome web browser. from ad blockers, to-do lists, to gmail related tools and apps. here you will find, among others, gmail extensions.
what is a gmail extension?
a gmail extension is a google chrome extension that directly affects the layout/function of your dashboard/gmail account. you can find many of the extensions available in the chrome web store as you just saw.
Others are only available through the website of the company that creates the app.
how do i add a gmail extension?
Adding a gmail extension is as simple as searching for the extension you want in the web store and clicking the “add to chrome” button.
And then confirm it by clicking the “Add extension” button when prompted.
You’ve now successfully added a Gmail focused extension to your Chrome browser. You should be able to see it show up in the top right of your toolbar.
how do i remove a gmail extension?
You manage all your gmail-related chrome extensions in the same interface you manage all extensions: in the extensions panel.
type “chrome://extensions/” in the url bar and press enter or open the menu, hover over “more tools” and select “extensions”.
From here, all you have to do is click “Remove”, and you can remove any extensions you no longer need.
are gmail extensions safe?
Because google does not publish all chrome extensions, it does not own or take responsibility for any security issues. since they are third-party applications, any risk that may be present is at your own risk.
That doesn’t mean that all extensions are unsafe, but it does mean that you should use some discretion when installing one. After a backdoor scandal in 2018, Google decided to up its game and impose stricter demands on extension developers.
for example, extensions can no longer demand access to unrelated personal data. usually you don’t want to be the first to try a new extension. look for established extensions with real, positive human feedback. look for extensions published by legitimate companies or developers with a public presence.
If someone is unwilling to claim ownership of an extension, you may be concerned about future repercussions.
what are gmail plugins?
gmail plugins are similar to extensions in that they are created to extend the functionality of gmail. the difference between an extension and a plugin is that the plugin is installed in your google workspace app, not in the browser.
remember: plugins can be found in the google workspace marketplace.
how do i add a gmail plugin?
To add a gmail plugin, go to the google workspace marketplace and click the one you want to install. will take you to the page for that particular app.
From here, all you need to do is click install. Then confirm it, and verify your Google account credentials.
Finally, click the “Allow” button.
Simple right? With just a few clicks and one login, you were able to add extra functionality to your inbox.
how do i remove a gmail plugin?
You can manage all of your google workspace plugins, thus your gmail plugin, from the “manage apps” section of the google workspace marketplace.
To remove one, scroll the menu button and then select “uninstall”.
This time it’s a single click. Not a very complicated process to say the least.
Now that we know all the ins and outs of Gmail plugins and extensions, let’s take a look at the ones we think are the most powerful!
22 best gmail plugins and extensions to increase your productivity
Our team at kinsta got together and compared notes and we came up with our 20+ favorite google plugins and extensions we’re fans of.
1. gmelius
Gmelius is the Gmail extension equivalent of a swiss army knife. It can do everything that any other extension can do, at least as well. One concern some people might have is that to use it as a full-fledged project management and collaboration tool, you need a paid subscription. A plus subscription costs $9/month, but you can try a free trial.
main features
- email templates.
- email tracking.
- email automation and processes.
- shared inbox.
useful for
- startups and teams that need to work fast and collaborate remotely.
- freelancers who work a lot with email.
- salespeople who rely on email cold email.
2. right inbox for gmail
Right Inbox for Gmail allows you to set reminders and tasks from within your inbox. You can also schedule emails to be sent at a later time or even create automatic follow-ups. It also allows you to create, save, and paste in a variety of different email signatures.
free up to 10 emails per month. beyond that, a subscription for unlimited emails is $7.95/month.
main features
- set reminders to reply to emails at certain times.
- schedule emails to be sent later.
- create automatic follow-ups.
- save and paste multiple signatures.
useful for
- professionals who rely heavily on email to communicate.
- vendors.
3. boomerang
Boomerang is another great Gmail extension. It is an email outreach productivity tool and doesn’t try to be anything that it isn’t (check out our guide on how to find anyone’s email address).
The most interesting feature is the AI that helps you write better emails. boomerang is free for up to 10 emails per month and an unlimited plan starts at $4.99/month.
main features
- bulk email.
- email templates for various situations.
- artificial intelligence assisted email composition.
useful for
- salespeople and seo who rely on cold emails in their work.
- account managers who need to write fast, professional emails.
4. zoom for gmail
Zoom for Gmail is an add-on that lets you start zoom meetings from within the Gmail interface. You can also check the upcoming schedule of calls, meetings, webinars, and conferences from your inbox. It requires a Zoom account to work.
main features
- reliable, high-quality video conferencing within gmail.
- check your schedule for upcoming zoom calls.
- instantly video call your co-workers from your inbox input.
useful for
- people who prefer to collaborate via video calls rather than text-based emails.
- staff members who need to keep track of webinars and zoom meetings.
5. slack for gmail
Are you stuck between the two ages of internal communication? Do you deal with coworkers who only use Slack and others who only use Gmail?
if so, this is the gmail plugin for you. slack for gmail does what the name promises. allows you to send emails to slack. you can also include attachments which will be automatically uploaded to the correct channel/private message. being able to send quick messages without leaving your inbox can be a lifesaver.
main features
- post messages to slack from your gmail inbox.
useful for
- those who rely heavily on both slack and email for workplace communication.
are you a slack user? be sure to check this out: how to use slack in 2020 (bonus: 18 lesser-known tricks to get more done).
can’t decide between slack and microsoft teams? read our comparison here: slack vs teams
6. document for gmail
Do you work in consulting, marketing, law, or any other industry where you are continually sending out documents to get signed?
Tired of people taking their time manually printing, signing and scanning your documents? docusign for gmail allows you to send signable documents directly from your inbox.
You can also choose various templates and send reminders. Please note that you need a docusign account to use this extension, and plans start at $10/month.
main features
- send signable documents to your clients from gmail.
- access document templates from chrome.
- signatures are unique and legally binding.
- all data is securely encrypted on their servers.
- send reminders without leaving your inbox.
useful for
- those employed in the consulting or legal professions.
- people who deal with contracts (such as freelance developers) or other legal documents several times a day.
7. mail track for gmail
Have you ever wondered what happened to an email after you sent it? Mailtrack for Gmail uses a Gmail compatible tracking script that will show you if it was opened or not. It is beneficial for those who work in customer or prospect-facing positions.
this gmail extension gives you real-time notifications and you can even see a breakdown of all activity in a custom dashboard. the extension is 100% free and unlimited.
main features
- track whether or not your email was opened.
- get live notifications whenever someone opens your email.
- see a breakdown of recent activity on the emails it tracks.
useful for
- marketers who work primarily with email.
- seos and b2b marketers.
- account managers.
- successful agents of the client.
8. smart sheet for gmail
If your business uses Smartsheet, this add-on will help you get work done from within your inbox. The Smartsheet for Gmail add-on lets you search and create rows without leaving Gmail.
main features
- find smart sheet rows when writing emails.
- create new rows with tasks/todos/insights after reading mail.
useful for
- smart sheet users.
9. evernote for gmail
Do you already use and love Evernote? If you didn’t already know about their Gmail add-on, you are about to get a lot more productive.
With it, you can easily save entire email conversations or individual emails with just a few clicks. Unfortunately, there’s no drag-and-drop feature here, like there is with the desktop app. you need an evernote account to use this plugin.
free accounts include most of the utility you could want in a content saving system.
main features
- Save full or partial emails to your evernote account.
- Update to-do lists from the board.
useful for
- evernote users.
- salespeople, marketers, or creatives who receive a lot of valuable information/feedback via email.
10. trello for gmail
Trello for Gmail is a simple Gmail add-on that focuses on one thing: letting you quickly create new cards to your board without leaving your inbox. You can assign it to different boards/lists, and set due dates.
To use this plugin, you must be a trello user. there is a free plan that is suitable for small businesses.
main features
- create new cards from your gmail inbox.
- cards are complete with due dates, lists and descriptions.
- automatically add email content to card descriptions.
useful for
- advanced trello users.
11. asanas for gmail
Asana for Gmail does the same thing that the Trello add-on above does, but for Asana users. Plus you can search for projects/teams/tasks from within your inbox.
main features
- adds and assigns new asana cards with due dates.
- automatically adds email content to card descriptions.
useful for
- asana users.
suggested reading: trello vs asana.
12. wrike for gmail
Similar to the two Gmail add-ons above, except this time, it’s for Wrike users. More than just allowing you to create new tasks, this add-on syncs with Wrike entirely. So you can see tasks related to emails in your inbox, see profile images from Wrike, and more.
You must be a wrike user to use this plugin. there is a basic free plan for up to 5 users, but professional licenses start at $9.80/month.
main features
- create tasks from the inbox.
- tasks automatically include the email content in the description.
- view tasks related to specific emails.
- track and report on work from emails.
useful for
- wrike users.
13. concealer plus
Do you need to get notified the second an email hits your inbox? What if I told you that you never had to keep a Gmail tab open again? With Checker Plus for Gmail, you can reach that “promised land”.
this gmail extension automatically checks for new emails and notifies you from chrome when one arrives. you can choose to read the email, archive it, or delete it instantly.
main features
- Receive notifications of new emails without having gmail open.
- Browse, read and archive emails while completing other tasks.
useful for
- employees in a fast-paced environment.
14. meistertask for gmail
Another good option for those who manage their inbox as their task management tool is MeisterTask for Gmail which connects your inbox with your Meister account. You can create new tasks from within your inbox and easily access your task board.
Please note that this gmail plugin requires a meistertask account. they offer a free “basic” plan with unlimited tasks, projects, and collaborators. paid plans start at $7.50 per user/month, offering unlimited integrations, automation, and better reporting.
main features
- create new tasks from your inbox.
- manage project boards
useful for
- meistertask users
15. inbox when ready for gmail
Inbox When Ready does one thing and it does it well. It locks your inbox down for a scheduled period. It allows you to focus on writing emails or reading important ones that you already received.
the free plan leaves an email signature when active. a professional plan is $4/month, billed annually.
main features
- lock your inbox so new emails and notifications don’t show up.
- schedule locks in advance.
- auto-hide inbox after a set period of time.
- Set inbox budgets for how many times to check your inbox.
useful for
- those who are easily distracted.
- employees who engage in deep work.
16. simple gmail notes
Simple Gmail Notes is a Gmail extension that lives up to its name: it allows you to add simple notes to your emails. It can help you quickly find your way back to specific emails by providing useful information to follow-up at the perfect time or simply give you some context. It is 100% free and open source.
main features
- add notes to emails in your inbox.
- save those notes to your own google drive.
- supports multiple gmail accounts.
useful for
- organized people.
- sales, marketing and service professionals.
17. giphy for gmail
It’s 2022 and gifs have invaded every possible medium of online communication. Why would you try to keep it out of your email? Thankfully the Giphy for Gmail extension is entirely free to use.
main features
- cute gifs.
- funny gifs.
- scary gifs.
- sad gifs.
useful for
- lovers of gifs.
18. flowcrypt gmail encryption
Although Gmail has a built-in feature to send confidential emails, there might be use cases where that option alone doesn’t seem to be secure enough and you want to encrypt your message. Or maybe you’re worried about messages being intercepted and read.
With the flowcrypt gmail extension, you can use pgp encryption to encrypt all email you send.
main features
- encrypt your emails with pgp.
useful for
- people who need to send sensitive information by email.
- cybersecurity enthusiasts.
19. scan to gmail
Digify for Gmail is a Gmail extension that lets you track, unsend, and program attachments to self-destruct. If you send essential or sensitive documents daily, this is the perfect extension for you. You don’t need a Digify account to use this extension.
main features
- track attachments to see who has accessed them.
- forward attachments that were sent to the wrong person.
- schedule files attachments to self-destruct (think snapchat).
useful for
- freelancers and professionals who want to let someone preview, but not steal, their work.
20. grammatically
Grammarly for Chrome will help you correct your grammar and spelling errors in real-time in Gmail. It will also suggest improvements that aren’t based on strict grammatical rules. You can use it with a free Grammarly account.
main features
- correct your grammatical and spelling errors.
- suggest ways to improve your sentences.
useful for
- anyone who writes emails.
21. multiple forwarding for gmail
If the main communication channel at your company is (still) email, the Multi Forward Gmail extension is your dream Gmail extension. Easily forward received emails to multiple contacts at once. It is completely free and requires no registration to use.
main features
- forward emails to multiple people at once.
useful for
- people who need to forward a lot of emails.
22. neat gmail plugin
Sortd Gmail Add-on connects your Sortd account with your Gmail. It allows you to transform emails into tasks, as well as add notes, and reminders to emails. It also offers drag-and-drop email organization.
You need a sortd account to use this plugin. a free plan is available, with some limitations.
main features
- add notes and reminders to emails.
- drag and drop email organization.
- kanban boards.
- flag emails emails to follow up.
- Rename the subject lines of essential emails to make them stand out.
- Turn emails into tasks.
useful for
- ordered users.
summary
gmail plugins and extensions are third party applications that give you tons of different options. our favorites are the ones that can help us be more productive and get more things done faster (if you use chrome, you might want to read this too: best chrome extensions to increase productivity for wordpress users).
Not all of these gmail plugins and extensions featured here will be game-changers for you. but anything that can help organize our inbox better, like sortd, meistertask, or simple gmail notes, and help you improve your tracking, like boomerang and mailtrack, is worth a try.
why? because if they could help him delete just 20/30 seconds from a single email or task, he can calculate how much time he will be able to “regain” monthly. answer: a lot!
Now it’s your turn: what are your favorite gmail plugins and extensions? What is the one you couldn’t live without?