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Productivity · head to head

HEY vs Memberstack

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
-
Memberstack logo

Memberstack

Productivity

Add memberships and logins to any website

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Memberstack has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: HEY there is no free tier and no monthly billing option, so trying it beyond the trial means committing to a full year upfront.; Memberstack basic and Professional tiers include transaction fees of 4% and 2% respectively
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which HEY and Memberstack actually diverge.

Attributes where HEY and Memberstack differ
AttributeHEYMemberstack
Starting price$99/yearFree
Pricing modelPer user per monthsubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsMac, Windows, Web, iOS, AndroidWeb

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 HEY

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

Only in Memberstack

Nothing recorded that HEY does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

HEY

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

Memberstack

  • Launching course platforms without custom backendnot HEY
  • Building subscription services with Webflow and paymentnot HEY
  • Gating content without writing codenot HEY
  • Managing password resets and two-factor authenticationnot HEY
  • Processing Stripe billing automaticallynot HEY

Where each one falls short

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

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.

Memberstack

  • Basic and Professional tiers include transaction fees of 4% and 2% respectively
  • Annual billing required for discounts; monthly pricing is higher
  • Webflow community builders receive Basic plan free but locked to that tier

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Memberstack

Free
  • Basic$29/month
    • Up to 1,000 members
    • 4% transaction fee
    • $25/month with annual billing
  • Professional$49/month
    • Up to 5,000 members
    • 2% transaction fee
    • $39/month with annual billing
  • Business$99/month
    • 10,000+ members
    • 0.9% transaction fee
    • $79/month with annual billing
  • Established$499/month
    • 10,000+ members
    • Zero transaction fees
    • $399/month with annual billing

Which should you pick?

Choose HEY if

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

Choose Memberstack if

  • You want to start without paying.

Questions people ask

Is HEY or Memberstack better?
Neither clearly leads. HEY starts at $99/year and Memberstack at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HEY or Memberstack?
Memberstack has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $99/year for HEY and Free for Memberstack.
Does HEY or Memberstack run on more platforms?
HEY runs on Mac, Windows, Web, iOS, Android. Memberstack runs on Web.
Can I use Memberstack for free?
Yes. Memberstack has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. HEY starts at $99/year.
What is HEY best used for?
HEY is most often used for someone who wants to replace gmail or icloud mail entirely with an email service built around approving senders before they reach the inbox, a user overwhelmed by newsletters and receipts who wants them automatically separated from person to person conversation, a family that wants shared but individually addressed email under one annual plan, a small company wanting hey for work on its own domain with the screener model for the whole team. Of those, someone who wants to replace gmail or icloud mail entirely with an email service built around approving senders before they reach the inbox and a user overwhelmed by newsletters and receipts who wants them automatically separated from person to person conversation are not what Memberstack is typically brought in for.
What can HEY do that Memberstack cannot?
HEY covers The Screener, Imbox, Feed and Paper Trail, Reply Later stack, Focus and Reply mode.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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.

Memberstack: What are Memberstack's transaction fees?

Memberstack's transaction fee varies by tier: Basic plan charges 4% per transaction, Professional charges 2%, Business charges 0.9%, and Established tier charges zero transaction fees.

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.

Memberstack: Does Memberstack offer a free trial or testing mode?

Yes, Memberstack offers an unlimited free trial in test mode requiring no credit card. Users maintain full feature access at no cost until their site launches with real members.

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.

Memberstack: What discounts does Memberstack offer?

Memberstack offers 50% discount for non-profits, special pricing for young professionals (4% fees), and $249/month with zero fees for startups under $1M raised. Webflow community builders receive the Basic plan free. 30-day money-back guarantee available with full refund.

Source
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