Buying guide · 3 tools researched · prices checked 26 Sep 2026
Best Shared Inbox software, by situation
We researched 3 Shared Inbox tools, including Drag, Gmelius, and Missive. There is no single best option: find the situation closest to yours, see what it costs, and check the trade-off against the runner-up.
Our picks
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01 Gmail-based queues for support and sales
Drag
Drag is a practical option for teams that want Gmail to behave like a visual shared workspace rather than migrating to a separate help desk. Starter is affordable and has no seat minimum, but AI is an add-on there and WhatsApp, API, MCP, SLA rules and role controls require Pro.
- What it costs
- Five users on Starter billed yearly cost US$60 per month equivalent, or US$720 per year, before tax and AI top-ups.
- Skip it if
- Outlook-first teams or buyers needing WhatsApp, API and SLA tools on the entry plan
- Runner-up
- Gmelius
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02 Shared mailboxes and SLAs inside Gmail
Gmelius
Gmelius makes the most sense for Google Workspace teams that want shared-inbox controls directly inside Gmail. Growth contains the core collaboration layer, but its US$25 annual rate is materially higher than the solo Meli plan, and advanced permissions, CRM integrations and backups require Pro.
- What it costs
- Ten users on Growth billed yearly cost US$250 per month equivalent, or US$3,000 per year, before tax.
- Skip it if
- Organisations using Outlook as their primary email system or seeking a low-cost shared inbox without AI usage limits
- Runner-up
- Hiver
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03 Shared inbox for email, SMS and WhatsApp
Missive
Missive is a good choice when work begins in email but needs internal discussion, assignment and task ownership without forwarding threads. Starter is limited to five users, while the integrations, automation, API and useful analytics that distinguish Missive begin on Productive.
- What it costs
- Five Starter users cost US$70 per month equivalent, or US$840 per year, before tax and external channel charges.
- Skip it if
- Teams wanting a traditional ticketing queue, a permanent free tier or automation on the entry plan
- Runner-up
- Front
How the options compare
| Compare |  Drag |
 Gmelius |
 Missive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Google Workspace teams managing support, sales or operations queues inside Gmail | Google Workspace teams coordinating shared mailboxes, assignments and service-level reporting inside Gmail | Small teams collaborating on shared email, SMS, WhatsApp and social conversations |
| Starting price | US$12/user/month billed yearly | US$19/user/month yearly for Meli; Growth US$25/user/month yearly | US$14/user/month billed yearly |
| Free plan / trial | 7-day trial without a credit card | 7-day Growth trial; no permanent free plan | 30-day free trial; no permanent free plan |
| Pricing model | Per-user subscription with monthly or annual billing; AI credits vary by plan | Per-user subscription with annual discount and usage caps | Per-user subscription with yearly and monthly billing |
| Biggest limitation | Gmail is central to the product, while advanced channels and developer controls are reserved for Pro | The collaboration plan starts at US$25/user/month yearly, and higher AI usage plus governance features require higher tiers | Starter supports only five users and excludes the automation, integrations and API available on Productive |
| Price checked |
Prices are taken from each vendor's own pricing page on the dates shown. Taxes and add-ons may apply; confirm before you buy.
Every Shared Inbox tool we've profiled
- DragUS$12/user/month billed yearlyGoogle Workspace teams managing support, sales or operations queues inside Gmail
- GmeliusUS$19/user/month yearly for Meli; Growth US$25/user/month yearlyGoogle Workspace teams coordinating shared mailboxes, assignments and service-level reporting inside Gmail
- MissiveUS$14/user/month billed yearlySmall teams collaborating on shared email, SMS, WhatsApp and social conversations
