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Productivity · head to head

Gamma vs HEY

Gamma logo

Gamma

Productivity

AI-powered presentation and document creation software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
HEY logo

HEY

Productivity

Flat annual subscription email service from 37signals, with its own hey.com domain and a distinctive Screener

From
$99/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Gamma has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Gamma free plan limited to 400 non-renewable credits, requiring paid plan quickly; HEY there is no free tier and no monthly billing option, so trying it beyond the trial means committing to a full year upfront.
  • They diverge on capability: Gamma covers AI Slide Generation, HEY covers The Screener.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Gamma and HEY actually diverge.

Attributes where Gamma and HEY differ
AttributeGammaHEY
Starting priceFree$99/year
Pricing modelUnknownPer user per month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidMac, Windows, Web, iOS, Android

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Productivity).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Gamma

  • AI Slide Generation
  • Advanced Image Models
  • Custom Branding
  • API Access
  • Custom Domains
  • Analytics
  • Studio Mode
  • AI Credits

Only in HEY

  • The Screener
  • Imbox, Feed and Paper Trail
  • Reply Later stack
  • Focus and Reply mode
  • Screen sharing style clips
  • No tracking pixels

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Gamma

  • Rapid pitch deck creation for investor meetings and salesnot HEY
  • Generating report decks from company data and metricsnot HEY
  • Creating training and onboarding presentations automaticallynot HEY
  • Building product demos and case study presentationsnot HEY
  • Team collaboration on branded presentations with shared assetsnot HEY

HEY

  • Someone who wants to replace Gmail or iCloud Mail entirely with an email service built around approving senders before they reach the inboxnot Gamma
  • A user overwhelmed by newsletters and receipts who wants them automatically separated from person to person conversationnot Gamma
  • A family that wants shared but individually addressed email under one annual plannot Gamma
  • A small company wanting HEY for Work on its own domain with the Screener model for the whole teamnot Gamma

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Gamma

  • Free plan limited to 400 non-renewable credits, requiring paid plan quickly
  • Credit rollover capped at 2x monthly allocation, forcing month-to-month spending
  • Refund window limited to 3 days with usage thresholds restricting claims
  • Per-seat pricing on team plans increases costs for large organizations
  • Studio Mode limited to Ultra plan, restricting advanced editing to highest tier

HEY

  • There is no free tier and no monthly billing option, so trying it beyond the trial means committing to a full year upfront.
  • Adopting HEY means changing your actual email address, not just installing a new client, which is a bigger migration than switching apps on an existing address.
  • The Screener and categorisation model is a real departure from a standard inbox, and some users take time to adjust or find it gets in the way for high volume mail.
  • Short vanity addresses carry steep additional annual fees, up to 999 US dollars a year for a two character address.
  • It does not connect to or manage existing Gmail, Outlook or iCloud accounts, so it cannot be used as a general client the way Mimestream or Apple Mail can.

Pricing, plan by plan

Gamma

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 400 AI credits (one-time, non-renewable)
    • Up to 10 cards per prompt
    • Basic AI
  • Plus$12/month
    • 1,000 AI credits per month
    • Up to 20 cards per prompt
    • Badge removal on exports
  • Pro$25/month
    • 4,000 AI credits per month
    • Up to 50 cards per prompt
    • Premium AI models
  • Ultra$100/month
    • 20,000 AI credits per month
    • Up to 75 cards per prompt
    • Most advanced AI models

HEY

$99/year
  • HEY for You$99/year
    • One hey.com email address
    • Screener, Imbox, Feed and Paper Trail
    • Billed annually only, no monthly option
  • HEY for Families$179/year
    • Covers up to five family members
    • Same features as HEY for You per member
  • HEY for Work$12/month
    • Per user, for organisations on a company domain
    • Admin controls for a team

Which should you pick?

Choose Gamma if

  • You need ai slide generation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want advanced image models.
Gamma review

Choose HEY if

  • You need the screener.
  • You work on Mac, Windows, Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want imbox, feed and paper trail.
HEY review

Questions people ask

Is Gamma or HEY better?
Neither clearly leads. Gamma starts at Free and HEY at $99/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Gamma or HEY?
Gamma has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Gamma and $99/year for HEY.
Does Gamma or HEY run on more platforms?
Gamma runs on Web, iOS, Android. HEY runs on Mac, Windows, Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Gamma for free?
Yes. Gamma has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. HEY starts at $99/year.
What is Gamma best used for?
Gamma is most often used for rapid pitch deck creation for investor meetings and sales, generating report decks from company data and metrics, creating training and onboarding presentations automatically, building product demos and case study presentations. Of those, rapid pitch deck creation for investor meetings and sales and generating report decks from company data and metrics are not what HEY is typically brought in for.
What can Gamma do that HEY cannot?
Gamma covers AI Slide Generation, Advanced Image Models, Custom Branding, API Access. HEY covers The Screener, Imbox, Feed and Paper Trail, Reply Later stack, Focus and Reply mode.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Gamma: How do Gamma AI credits work?

Each plan includes a monthly AI credit allowance. Free users receive 400 one-time credits. Plus plan includes 1,000 monthly credits, Pro includes 4,000 monthly credits, and Ultra includes 20,000 monthly credits. Unused credits roll over up to 2x the monthly allowance.

Source
HEY: Can I use HEY with my existing Gmail address?

No. HEY provides its own hey.com email address; it is not a client layered over an existing Gmail or other account.

Gamma: What is included in the Free plan?

The Free plan includes 400 AI credits (one-time), up to 10 cards per prompt, basic AI, Gamma branding on output, and 7-day change history.

Source
HEY: Is there a free plan?

No. HEY offers a trial but bills annually only, with no free tier and no month to month option for individuals.

Gamma: What payment and refund options does Gamma offer?

Gamma offers a 3-day refund window for monthly plans if you have used less than 10-20 percent of your monthly credits depending on the plan.

Source
HEY: What is the Screener?

A feature that holds mail from any new sender until the user explicitly approves them, before it appears in the inbox at all.

Gamma: How much do Team and Business plans cost?

Team plans cost $20 per seat per month with a minimum of 2 seats, including 6,000 AI credits per seat. Business plans cost $40 per seat per month with a minimum of 10 seats, including 10,000 AI credits per seat.

Source
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