Jelly vs. Missive

Which Shared Inbox is Right for Your Team?

If you’re here, you probably already know the pain of managing a shared inbox. Whether it’s support@, hello@, or some other catch-all address, the goal is simple: keep things organized, respond quickly, and avoid stepping on each other’s toes. Easier said than done, right?

There are a lot of tools out there promising to make this easier, and today we’re talking about two of them: Jelly and Missive. Both help small teams collaborate on email. Both are a big step up from sharing a password to a Gmail account. But which one is right for you?

Want to jump right in and see for yourself? Try Jelly for free

Now, let’s break it down.

1. Price: Flat vs. Per-User

Jelly:

  • $29/month for your whole team.
  • No per-user fees. One price, everyone gets access.

Missive:

  • Starts at $14/month per user for basic features.
  • $24/month per user for premium features (like rules, automations, and reporting).

The Takeaway: If you’ve got a small team and a careful budget, Jelly’s flat-rate pricing is hard to beat. Missive gets expensive quickly as your team grows.

2. Ease of Use: Lightweight vs. Feature-Packed

Jelly:

  • Simple and intuitive. You won’t need a manual.
  • Core focus on shared inboxes and team collaboration.

Missive:

  • Packed with advanced features: SMS, live chat, social integrations, and more.
  • Great if you want a super-powered communication hub—but there’s a learning curve.

The Takeaway: If you want something easy that just works, Jelly keeps it simple. If you need all the bells and whistles (and have the time to learn them), Missive delivers.

3. Claiming Emails: "I Got This" vs. Assignment Rules

Jelly:

  • Click "I Got This" to claim an email. Everyone sees who’s handling what.
  • No more duplicate replies or dropped messages.

Missive:

  • Manually assign conversations to teammates.
  • Set up rules to auto-assign based on conditions.

The Takeaway: Jelly’s "I Got This" button is quick and easy for small teams. Missive offers more automation if you need complex workflows.

4. Internal Collaboration: Keep the Conversation Going

Jelly:

  • Leave internal comments directly in email threads.
  • Perfect for discussing tricky questions without endless back-and-forth.

Missive:

  • Similar internal commenting features.
  • Includes chat rooms for side discussions.

The Takeaway: Both tools handle internal conversations well. Jelly keeps it focused on the inbox; Missive expands collaboration beyond email.

5. Setup & Maintenance: Fast vs. Customizable

Jelly:

  • Set up in minutes. No complicated workflows or integrations.

Missive:

  • Highly customizable, but it takes time to fine-tune.

The Takeaway: If you want to get started quickly, Jelly wins. If you need advanced customization and have time to set it up, Missive has more depth.

Which One is Right for You?

Choose Jelly if:

  • You want a simple, affordable way to manage shared inboxes.
  • You prefer a flat monthly rate without per-user fees.
  • You value ease of use and a quick setup.

Choose Missive if:

  • You need advanced automation, custom rules, or multiple communication channels.
  • You have a larger team and a bigger budget.
  • You don’t mind a steeper learning curve to unlock extra features.

At the end of the day, both Jelly and Missive are great products—but they serve different needs. If you’re a small team looking for an easy, no-fuss solution to shared inbox chaos, Jelly has your back.

And hey, why not try it for yourself? Get started with Jelly today for free and see how smooth shared inboxes can be.