Working in a digitally-connected setting undoubtedly ties you to your email account.
You’re sending and receiving emails all throughout the day, and quite often, there’ll be a task attached.
As work has become increasingly more digital in nature, companies have developed email add-ons to make specific tasks simpler.
If you’re a Gmail user, you’ll know that Gmail has become an invaluable tool in recent years, in part because of its Gmail add ons and extensions for Google Workspace.
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What Are Gmail Add-Ons?
Add-ons are third-party technologies and services that help make your Gmail inbox more functional.
You can access them all in the Google Chrome web store.
Gmail already has a few tools that function similarly to add-ons, including Calendar, Tasks, and Keep.
Although it isn’t technically an add-on, Calendar is a great example of how efficient an add-on can be.
Essentially, whenever you get an email invite from a coworker, you can choose to add it to your Google Calendar directly from the email.
Optional Gmail extensions and add-ons work much the same way, and many are available in the Gmail app.
However, their functions vary wildly and can help you accomplish nearly any task.
Why Use Gmail Add-Ons
Although there are many reasons to use Gmail add-ons and extensions, the two most common are increasing productivity and saving time.
Increase Productivity
Many Gmail add-ons can help you increase productivity by enhancing collaboration opportunities.
For example, Slack, Zoom, and other collaboration add-ons make working with your team from anywhere a breeze.
Save Time
In addition to the collaboration features you can get with Gmail add-ons, there are many ways they’ll help you save time.
For example, add-ons like DropBox and Trello let you organize your workspace and files quickly and all in one place.
How To Add a Gmail Add On
Adding a Gmail add-on is pretty simple.
All you need is a Gmail account and access to the G Suite Marketplace.
1. Log into your Gmail account.
2. Find the sidebar on the right side of your Gmail homepage.
There’ll be several icons running vertically down the page.
These are native or installed add-ons.
3. Click the “+” at the bottom of the sidebar icons.
4. A window will pop up that displays all of the available add-ons for your account.
5. Scroll through or use the search bar to find the add-on you’re looking for.
6. Click “Install” and follow the prompts on the screen.
Note: You may need to exit and restart your browser for the add-ons to function.
How To Remove a Gmail Add On
You can easily remove any Gmail add-ons you’ve installed in just a few quick steps.
1. Open Gmail.
2. Locate the gear icon at the top of the page.
This is where your settings are.
3. Click the gear, then choose “See All Settings.”
4. Navigate to the Add Ons tab.
5. Click “Manage” under “Installed add-ons.”
6. Find the add-on you want to remove and click the three dots.
7. Select “Remove” to remove the add-on.
As with installing add-ons, you might need to restart your browser for the change to take effect.
Top Gmail Add Ons
With so many Gmail add-ons and extensions to choose from, it can be tough to narrow down the best choices.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the best Gmail add ons and extensions available.
Trello
Trello is just one of many project management add-ons you can find for Gmail.
What Is It?
Trello is a product management tool that allows you and your team to visualize the workflow of a project.
It makes organizing ideas, documents, links, and other project-related materials easier to manage, especially when a large team is working on something.
It’s available as an app or for desktop use.
How Does it Work?
Trello uses a Kanban-style board-and-card system, lists, and notecards.
You can use these tools to create project templates, organize tasks, create goals, and customize workflows all in one digital space.
Each of your team members will have access to all the cards, files, and notes attached to your Trello board.
This makes collaborating from home or in the office a much easier feat.
Features
Trello has several features that make this add-on a great collaboration tool for your office.
In addition to the notecards, some of Trello’s main features include:
- In-line editing
- Activity logs
- Drag-and-drop editing
- Mobile- friendly
- Progress meter
- Checklists
- File attachment
- Voting
- Chat/discussions
Pricing
Trello is free for individual users.
Corporate pricing is as follows:
- Standard Plan $5 per user, per month
- Premium Plan $10 per user, per month
- Enterprise $17.50 per user, per month
As the plans go up in price, you’ll get more features, such as unlimited workspaces, various view options, organization-wide permissions, and advanced checklists.
Gmelius
If your company is looking for email collaboration tools, Gmelius is an excellent place to start.
What Is It?
Gmelius is an Gmail extension that turns your inbox into a collaborative tool.
You can use Gmelius to sync other apps, such as Slack or Trello, into one place.
How Does it Work?
Gmelius works by combining the functionality of all your apps in one place.
Once you install the extension, you’ll be able to integrate Slack, Zoom, and other tools into your workplace’s Gmail.
From there, you can reply to emails, schedule Zoom calls, and send Slack messages, among other things.
Features
Some of Gmelius’s key features are the following:
- Gmail labels
- Email templates
- Shared inboxes
- Email automation
- Inbox management
- Kanban boards
Pricing
There are four different plan options for Gmelius.
- Starter $7
- Plus $12
- Growth $24
- Pro $49
With each plan increment, you’ll have access to more features.
These include a higher number of workspaces, longer reporting windows, report generation, and mail merge.
Right Inbox
Right Inbox is an email productivity add-on for Gmail that can help streamline your business’s email processes.
What Is It?
Right Inbox is a great solution if you’re looking for a way to take control of your workplace emails.
It’s an all-in-one solution for email-heavy workplaces that lets you easily track, schedule, and send follow-ups.
How Does it Work?
Right Inbox works by consolidating every email tool you could need into one.
As a result, you can schedule emails, create automated follow-ups, design templates, and save notes.
It also lets you sync your Gmail with your CRM tools to keep important email conversations at the ready.
Features
Right Inbox has a lot of great features, but some of its best include:
- Recurring emails
- Create signatures
- Email tracking
- Mail merge
- CRM sync
- Email scheduling
Pricing
Right Inbox has paid and unpaid tiers.
The unpaid tier offers limits on what you can do, and you won’t get the recurring email or sequence options.
The paid plan offers unlimited access to all of Right Inbox’s features.
If you pay for the year upfront, you’ll pay $5.95 per month or $71.40 for the full year.
If you pay month-to-month, your rate will be $7.95.
Dropbox
Dropbox is a cloud-based service that takes file-sharing to the enterprise level.
What Is It?
Similar to Google Drive, Dropbox provides secure storage and collaboration solutions for individual users and businesses of any size.
If your workplace shares documents and would benefit from a dedicated place to share, sign, and save them, Dropbox might be worth a look.
How Does it Work?
Dropbox offers users the ability to send, share, and receive documents.
It puts all of your team’s content in one centralized location, making collaboration smoother.
You can upload documents directly to Dropbox without leaving your Gmail inbox when you install the Dropbox add-on or use the app.
Features
Dropbox offers a lot of benefits, including the following:
- 5+ TB of storage
- Collaboration tools
- Single admin login
- Document analytics
- Single sign-on capabilities
Pricing
Dropbox offers individual and team plans.
- Single User – Professional $16.58 per month
- Single User – Professional + eSign $24.99 per month
- Team – Standard $12.50 per user, per month
- Team – Standard + DocSend $50 per user, per month
- Team – Advanced $20 per user, per month
Boomerang
Boomerang is another email productivity Gmail extension that can help make sending emails simpler.
What Is It?
Boomerang’s primary goal is to clean up your inbox and help you focus on the Gmail messages that need your attention the most.
Since it lets you control when you send and receive messages, it increases your productivity and responsiveness.
How Does it Work?
The Boomerang extension accomplishes its goal using three tools: Response Tracking, Reminders, and Send Later.
Response Tracking will let you know when it’s time to follow up with someone by tracking email responses.
The Send Later feature allows you to schedule your message for a specific date or time, ensuring recipients get your email when you can respond quickly.
You can also set reminders for yourself to check back on specific messages.
Features
In addition to the features discussed above, you’ll get the following with Boomerang:
- Inbox pause
- Recurring emails
- Meeting scheduling
- Gmail Notes
- Email tracking
- Read receipts
Pricing
Boomerang has four plan tiers.
- Basic (Free)
- Personal $4.98 per month
- Pro $14.98 per month
- Premium $49.98 per month
All plans get Boomerang’s basic features.
As you increase in tier, you’ll access better features, including Inbox Pause, CRM integration, and default tracking.
Zoom
Zoom cloud conferencing has become an invaluable tool for work-from-home workplaces.
What Is It?
Zoom is a cloud conferencing application that’s both a standalone service and a Gmail add-on.
Although most might think of video conferencing when they think of Zoom, it actually has more capabilities.
Individuals and businesses can host phone and video meetings, stream on social media, and create recordings using the Zoom app.
How Does it Work?
The Zoom Gmail add-on allows you to easily create Zoom meetings with email recipients within your Gmail inbox or Calendar.
In addition, if you have a Zoom Phone license, you can schedule calls from Gmail.
Features
Here are a few of the features you’ll get with a Zoom license.
- Host up to 1,000 participants (with specific plans)
- Social media streaming
- Unlimited group meetings
- Unlimited one–on-ones
- Private and group chats
- 1 GB cloud recording storage
Pricing
Zoom has four plans.
The Basic plan is excellent for individuals, but there are three business tiers, too.
- Pro $149.90 per year, per license
- Business $199.90 per year, per license
- Enterprise $240 per year, per license
All plans have the same basic features.
However, the higher plans offer more benefits, including recording transcripts, managed domains, and company branding.
Slack
Slack is a digital collaboration tool that allows you to streamline communication with team members.
What Is It?
Slack’s purpose is to facilitate smoother collaboration with coworkers and team members.
It offers a clear space for each project and team to work, preventing the need to sift through emails.
You can even do breakout huddles within Slack with specific team members.
How Does it Work?
The Slack Gmail add-on lets you take your access to Slack and incorporate it into your email.
It allows you to send emails to specific Slack channels without leaving Gmail.
This is a good option if you don’t have Slack or find yourself needing to fire off quick messages often.
Features
Slack offers a lot of great features that allow you to collaborate seamlessly.
- Channels
- Group video calls
- Huddles
- Slack Connect to connect with outside teams
- Workflow builder
- File sharing
Pricing
All of Slack’s plans are paid plans, but they’re scalable for varying business sizes.
- Pro $6.67 per person, per month (yearly)
- Pro $8 per person, per month (monthly)
- Business+ $12.50 per person, per month (yearly)
- Business+ $15 per person, per month (monthly)
- Enterprise Grid (price on request)
Todoist
Todoist is a task manager extension that, when combined with Gmail, simplifies project management.
What Is It?
Todoist is one of the most popular task managers available because it has broad functionality.
You can create standard to-do lists, collaborate with team members, and organize tasks within one interface.
How Does it Work?
The Todoist extension for Gmail allows you to manage tasks or turn emails into tasks with the click of a button.
As soon as you start reading or writing an email, a popup will appear that gives you Todoist options.
You’ll also be able to create due dates, prioritize emails, and set reminders to help you get to inbox zero.
Features
- Turn emails into tasks
- Recurring due dates
- Check off items within Gmail
- Priority levels
- Delegate tasks
- Kanban-style boards
Pricing
Todoist has one free and two paid plan options to choose from.
- Pro $3 per month (billed yearly)
- Pro $4 per month (billed monthly)
- Business $5 per user, per month (billed yearly)
- Business $6 per user, per month (billed monthly)
Clearbit Connect
Clearbit Connect helps you easily store and locate information on anyone who sends you an email.
Clearbit Connect is a Gmail extension that lives in your inbox sidebar.
It stores email and contact information for anyone who messages you, cataloging it so you can find it quickly later.
In addition, it collects any contact information, occupation, and social network accounts attached to the address.
What Is It?
Clearbit Connect is a Gmail extension that lives in your inbox sidebar.
It stores email and contact information for anyone who messages you, cataloging it so you can find it quickly later.
In addition, it collects any contact information, occupation, and social network accounts attached to the address.
How Does it Work?
After you install the Clearbit Connect extension, you’ll be able to search for sender information using a search bar.
When you receive an email, you can click the Clearbit icon in the Gmail message window.
The widget will run a database search, then return all the information available for that sender.
Features
Clearbit Connect can help you find the following:
- Sender contact information
- Sender social media information
- Company information
- Company contacts
- Find email addresses without leaving Gmail
Pricing
The Clearbit Connect extension is a free service, so there aren’t any paid subscription plans.
Wrapping Up
Google has become a powerhouse of innovation over the last few decades.
The add-ons you can install in Gmail are evidence of that.
The add-ons listed here are some of the best available but don’t stop your search here.
Take some time to cruise the G Suite Marketplace to access every add-on you could need.