Every second you delay in responding to an email can impact how people perceive your business. You need the right tools for tracking email response time to ensure people don’t get a negative impression of your brand.

According to a recent survey, 77% of customers expect to interact with someone the moment they contact a business. Delaying responses can lead to a loss of customer trust or even missed opportunities.

Fortunately for you, there’s no shortage of tools for tracking email response times. We’ve sorted through the noise and picked out the ones that will help you increase business productivity. Read on to see which fits your needs.

Quick summary: Best email tracking tools by type

How we chose the tools for tracking email response time

Here’s how we chose the best tools for tracking email response time.

  • Ease of use: If a tool is hard to use, you probably won’t keep using it. The best tools for tracking email response time should be simple enough to use daily without needing a manual. A clean layout and clear reports are more useful than a bunch of extra features you’ll never need.
  • Gmail or Outlook compatibility: Not every tool works well with every email platform. The right tools for tracking email response time should fit with widely used platforms like Gmail or Microsoft Outlook. Compatibility with other options, such as Yahoo Mail, is a bonus.
  • Real-time tracking: Delays in data tracking can put you at a disadvantage against your direct competitors. The best tools for tracking email response time should provide live updates. This helps you fix issues instantly before they become problems.
  • Team tracking features: If you’re working with a team, look for shared dashboards and group stats. The right tools for tracking email response time should enable you to see who is responding quickly and who might need assistance. This maintains fairness and transparency across the board.
  • Automation and alerts: The fewer manual checks you have to make, the better. The best tools for tracking email response time should send automated alerts if a reply is taking too long. This frees up your team to handle other tasks instead of constantly refreshing their inboxes.
  • Reporting options: Every business has different needs, so flexibility matters. The best tools for tracking email response times should allow you to break down data by time, sender, team, or even subject. These reports help you identify trends, allowing you to determine the next steps.

Top 9 tools for tracking email response time: Our picks

Here are the best tools for tracking email response time that made it into our list.

1. timetoreply

timetoreply

Image via timetoreply

Timetoreply tops our list of the best tools for tracking email response time for good reasons. It works in the background, without interruptions, measuring every reply without changing how your email looks or behaves.

The tool also tracks both the first reply and the ongoing conversation speed. It shows you how long it takes to reply during working hours and after hours, thus helping you improve email productivity.

Timetoreply is suitable for individuals and businesses. Instead of wondering who replied to your messages, you receive full reports through the interactive live dashboard. This includes data on top performers, alerts, reports, and areas where bottlenecks could be affecting your workflow.

Businesses can also use the team-wide email response metrics to help them monitor how each team member is performing without micromanaging. Plus, timetoreply seamlessly integrates with Gmail, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Outlook.

Timetoreply is also certified to SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and GDPR standards. These certifications ensure robust data security and compliance with all relevant privacy regulations.

Key features

  • Track reply times to see the speed of email responses
  • Working hour filters that compare response times during and outside working business hours
  • Real-time alerts that notify you if responses fall behind schedules or set goals
  • Access to reports that track performance for each agent and the team
  • Email SLA reporting
  • Easy connection with Gmail, Outlook, and Office 365 accounts

Pros

  • Works with most major email platforms
  • Doesn’t interrupt your usual inbox flow
  • Detailed metrics for first and overall replies
  • Real-time monitoring and alerts
  • Easy to use even for non-technical users

Cons

  • No free plan, just 7-day free trials

Pricing

Timetoreply comes with three price plans:

  • Essentials: $36 per mailbox per month
  • Pro: $44 per mailbox per month
  • Premier: Custom pricing

timetoreply pricing

Image via timetoreply

Tool level

  • Intermediate to expert

Usability

  • Timetoreply is best for intermediate and expert users. Its reporting tools and settings are more useful for people who already work with email performance goals.

Pro tip: Set reply time targets for your team and enable alerts to stay notified when someone falls behind. This helps you catch and address issues early.

Also Read:

2. Email Meter

email meter

Image via Email Meter

Email Meter is one of the most reliable tools for tracking email response time for several reasons. It pulls detailed reports directly from Gmail or Google Workspace and breaks them down into easy-to-read metrics.

You can measure how quickly your support team responds, identify delayed replies, and maintain a steady customer experience. This gives you a clear picture of the most productive team members.

The same applies if you’re an individual user. Email Meter tells you how often you reply late, who you’re emailing most, and where your time is going. You can track your habits and improve email productivity.

Another reason Email Meter is one of the top tools for tracking email response time is that it comes pre-configured. Once it’s connected to your email, it quietly tracks everything in the background and provides weekly or monthly reports.

That means less stress trying to remember every conversation or wondering why replies are slow.

Key features

  • Tracks how long it takes you or your team to reply
  • Shows how fast you respond to the first message in a thread
  • Breaks down emails sent and received daily, weekly, or monthly
  • Highlights who you communicate with the most
  • Helps you compare performance across departments or individuals in your teams
  • Allows you to isolate certain conversations, like support or sales
  • Sends regular reports to your inbox without needing to log in

Pros

  • Simple setup with Gmail and Google Workspace
  • Visually clean reports
  • Works well for teams and solo users
  • Good customer service option
  • Supports custom email filters

Cons

  • Limited to Gmail and Google Workspace
  • Advanced features require costlier plans

Pricing

Email Meter offers three price plans:

  • Free: $0
  • Plus: $19 per user per month
  • Custom dashboard: Custom pricing

email meter pricing

Image via Email Meter

Tool level

  • Beginner

Usability

  • Email Meter is friendly for all users. Beginners will appreciate the plug-and-play setup. Intermediate and expert users can dive deeper with filters, comparisons, and custom tracking.

Pro tip: For the best results, set up custom labels like “support, sales, or urgent” so you can track email responses without mixing things up.

3. Snov.io

snov

Image via Snov.io

Next on our list of the best tools for tracking email response time is Snov.io. It combines outreach automation with performance tracking, which helps you see exactly how your emails are performing.

For businesses, this means fewer missed replies and more control over team communication. For individuals, it means smarter email habits and faster follow-ups.

Additionally, Snov.io addresses the email marketing challenge of using multiple tools. It integrates email tracking into every stage of a campaign. You can monitor when your emails are opened, clicked, or replied to.

You also get built-in email analytics, which shows reply rates and response times for each email. This helps your team stay sharp and gives you, the manager, the ability to monitor the productivity of your entire team.

Snov.io also lets you automate follow-ups based on response time. That means fewer leads fall through the cracks. If someone doesn’t reply within a set time, the system can automatically send a follow-up.

Key features

  • Use LinkedIn automation to start conversations automatically
  • Email warm-up that helps your messages reach the inbox instead of going to the spam folder
  • A cold outreach tool that keeps all your sales pitches organized in one place
  • Email verifier that checks which customer email addresses are valid and real
  • Trigger follow-up emails based on response delays
  • Track email activity directly from the built-in CRM
  • View reply rates and timing in visual reports
  • Measure response time across multiple users

Pros

  • Control over reply tracking and follow-ups
  • Combines outreach and tracking
  • Automated responses
  • Works well with Gmail

Cons

  • Email limits apply to lower-tier plans
  • Mostly ideal for Gmail only

Pricing

Snov comes with three price plans:

  • Trial: $0
  • Starter: $39 per month
  • Pro: From $99 per month

snov pricing

Image via Snov.io

Tool level

  • Intermediate

Usability

  • Snov.io is one of the most advanced tools for tracking email response times. It’s suitable for users with intermediate to expert skill levels. The pre-set templates and automation features are easy to use and configure.

Pro tip: To get the most out of Snov.io, always set a custom delay between follow-ups. Ensure your follow-up emails are triggered based on the time elapsed since your last message was sent.

Also Read:

4. Streak

streak

Image via Streak

Streak is one of the most user-friendly tools for tracking email response time that works directly inside Gmail. You don’t have to switch email platforms or open extra tabs, as your email tracking is handled directly in your inbox.

You can create pipelines, assign emails, and track replies without switching to a new app. The data is easy to read and provides a comprehensive view of your email performance in a single dashboard.

If you’re a manager, you can track how fast your team responds to emails and catch slow replies early. This email analytics platform is especially useful for large customer-facing teams to manage long, complex email threads with ease.

Individuals can also benefit from Streak’s tools for tracking email response time. You can see exactly how long it takes people to get back to you, even for personal messages.

Key features

  • Receive alerts when your emails are opened and track how long it takes to get a reply
  • Organize email threads by stages like “Waiting for Reply” or “Follow-Up Sent”
  • Assign threads to team members and track who’s responsible for each conversation
  • Resurface unanswered emails later with smart reminders
  • Send personalized bulk emails and monitor individual response times
  • Collaborate as a team, comment on threads, share updates, and work from a shared inbox

Pros

  • Fully integrated with Gmail. So, no need to switch platforms
  • Real-time tracking and instant alerts
  • Great for individuals and teams alike
  • Keeps long email threads organized without confusion
  • No need for external dashboards

Cons

  • Works with Gmail only
  • Most key features are available on more expensive plans

Pricing

If you choose to go with Streak, you’ll get three price plans:

  • Pro: $59 per user per month
  • Pro+: $89 per user per month
  • Enterprise: $159 per user per month

streak pricing

Image via Streak

Tool level

  • Beginner

Usability

  • Streak is suitable for professionals across various fields, but it’s especially well-suited for beginners due to its simple and intuitive interface.

Pro tip: Use Streak’s color-coded pipeline stages like “Waiting on Reply” and “Replied” to track response times at a glance.

5. MailTag

mailtag

Image via MailTag

MailTag is another reliable option for anyone looking for tools for tracking email response times. It integrates seamlessly with Gmail and G Suite, offering insights into who’s engaging with your emails and exactly when they’re doing it.

It features effective email tracking capabilities that display when recipients click on links within the email. This makes MailTag an ideal email marketing tool for introducing new products and services to your existing customers.

Plus, you can track the performance of your open rates, click rates, and more, with real-time notifications across all your devices.

Another reliable feature rarely found in most tools for tracking email response time is automated email follow-ups. There’s an option to select ping sequences that automate replies and send follow-up emails after cold pitches.

The MailTag dashboard is user-friendly and has detailed charts and graphs that showcase all data analytics. This gives you the space to keep an eye on all your email goals without getting sidetracked by mix-ups.

Key features

  • Instant notifications when someone opens your emails
  • Check which links were clicked, to see who shows interest
  • Reply time analytics to see how fast people respond to your messages
  • Automated pings for setting reminders to follow up when there’s no response
  • Email scheduling allows you to send emails when they’re most likely to be opened
  • Daily performance reports

Pros

  • Simple Gmail integration
  • Live notifications for email opens and link clicks
  • User-friendly dashboard
  • Fast for follow-ups and outreach

Cons

  • Limited to Gmail and G-Suite
  • May cause inbox overload with too many alerts

Pricing

MailTag offers a single price plan called Pro, which costs $12.99 per user per month.

mailtag pricing

Image via MailTag

Tool level

  • Intermediate

Usability

  • MailTag is ideal for intermediate users, and beginners can also learn to use it with sufficient training. Everything runs in Gmail with one click.

Pro tip: To ensure MailTag serves your needs, turn on automatic follow-ups for emails that don’t get a response within 48 hours. This one move saves hours of manual tracking and helps boost your response rate.

Also Read:

6. EmailAnalytics Inc

emailanalytics

Image via EmailAnalytics

If you’re looking for advanced tools for tracking email response time without spending too much, then EmailAnalytics may be the ideal platform for your needs.

EmailAnalytics focuses on measuring how quickly you and your team respond to emails. This helps improve email productivity without needing to guess who’s falling behind. The platform integrates with Gmail, Outlook, and Google Workspace.

Another reason that makes EmailAnalytics one of the best tools for tracking email response time is daily updates. You don’t have to dig through threads to pick up from where you left off.

For example, you get to see how many emails were sent and received, what time of day you’re most active, and your average response time. This is particularly useful for sales teams that need to close deals and maintain customer satisfaction.

There’s also transparency without making it feel like you’re spying on your team members. EmailAnalytics provides a clear view of performance metrics through its user-friendly dashboard.

The biggest benefit of this approach is that it allows you to handle issues on the spot, rather than scheduling time-consuming meetings for every problem.

EmailAnalytics doesn’t leave solo users out either. You can use it on your email accounts to improve your response times and follow-ups. This high level of organization is beneficial for solo entrepreneurs and their new startups.

Key features

  • Detailed response time reports that measure the time it takes to reply to emails
  • Group emails into Gmail and Outlook labelled folders to avoid a mix-up
  • Tracks the number of emails sent and received per day, including spam emails
  • Peak-hour reports to help you find out the best times to send emails
  • Tracking SLAs and preventing SLA breaches
  • Simple setup that connects directly to Gmail, Outlook, or Google Workspace
  • Secure read-only access for maintaining data privacy and security

Pros

  • No software installation needed
  • Useful for individuals and teams
  • Real-time tracking of email response habits
  • Works directly with Gmail and Google Workspace

Cons

  • Limited to Gmail and Outlook

Pricing

You get one price plan called Pro, which costs $15 per inbox per month.

emailanalytics pricing

Image via EmailAnalytics

Tool level

  • Beginners

Usability

  • EmailAnalytics is ideal for beginners and intermediate users. The dashboard is easy to navigate, and it has a quick setup that doesn’t require advanced skills.

Pro tip: Email analytics software offers deep insights into recipient behavior, such as heatmaps and A/B test results. Use this data to segment audiences more effectively and tailor content for higher engagement and ROI.

Also Read:

7. Mailbutler

mailbutler

Image via Mailbutler

When it comes to blending email inboxes and tools for tracking email response time, Mailbutler takes efficiency to a new level.

Similar to most of the email analytics alternatives we’ve discussed, Mailbutler comes with an advanced tracking feature. It lets you see exactly when your email was opened, how many times it was viewed, and whether links inside were clicked.

Mailbutler also streamlines email management for businesses. This means you don’t easily lose track of unanswered messages as they’re automatically sorted based on urgency.

Another feature that makes Mailbutler one of the reliable tools for tracking email response time is inbox collaboration. You can tag teammates, share notes on emails, and assign tasks from your inbox.

Key features

  • Email tracking with real-time notifications
  • Scheduled emailing for the best response times
  • Follow-up reminders with alerts when emails go unanswered for long time
  • Inbox collaboration that supports the sharing of notes and the delegation of email response duties
  • Functional email templates that can be reused to save time
  • Signature marketing for managing and tracking email signatures
  • Task and contact management

Pros

  • Easy installation
  • Works with Apple Mail, Gmail, and Outlook
  • Tracks email opens and response time accurately
  • Offers follow-up tools
  • Efficient email scheduling

Cons

  • The free plan is too limited
  • Too heavy for beginners

Pricing

Mailbutler comes with four price plans that include the following:

  • Tracking: $3.95 per user per month
  • Professional: $7.95 per user per month
  • Smart: $12.95 per user per month
  • Business: $29.95 per user per month

mailbutler pricing

Image via Mailbutler

Tool level

  • Expert

Usability

  • Mailbutler is one of the most advanced tools for tracking email response time, so it may pose a challenge for beginners and intermediate users. Experts are likely to enjoy the advanced workflow features.

Pro tip: Set a reminder to alert you if there’s no reply within 48 hours to keep the conversation going and improve customer satisfaction.

Also Read:

8. Right Inbox

right inbox

Image via Right Inbox

Next on our list of the best tools for tracking email response time is Right Inbox. It works seamlessly with Gmail and allows you to manage emails without disrupting your existing daily workflow.

Right Inbox is equipped with email tracking so you can monitor the level of engagement from both your customers and team members.

For instance, if someone opens an email but doesn’t respond, you can send a follow-up reminder after 24 or 48 hours. That’s why it stands out among other tools for tracking email response time: it removes the guesswork.

Right Inbox also provides you with additional tools to manage your outreach more efficiently. You can schedule emails to send at the best time and automate follow-up emails for customer queries.

Key features

  • Email tracking for monitoring who opened your emails and when they did it
  • Timely email reminders with follow-up alerts in case cold pitches lack responses
  • Email scheduling for sending messages at the right time
  • Automates recurring emails that you usually send every day
  • Private notes that allow you to add reminders and context to your most urgent email threads
  • Templates for creating and reusing pre-written messages across all your teams

Pros

  • Supports email scheduling
  • Tracks email engagement
  • Saves time with templates and automation
  • Great for solo users and teams
  • Affordable and simple setup

Cons

  • Gmail-only support
  • Analytics aren’t as advanced as alternative options

Pricing

You get three price plans with Right Inbox:

  • Limited: $0.00
  • Professional: $9.95
  • Team: $19.95

right inbox pricing

Image via Right Inbox

Tool level

  • Intermediate

Usability

  • Easy to use. The dashboard isn’t cluttered, and all the essential features are well labelled and easy to access.

Pro tip: Use private notes to create and add context to reminders. This makes it easy for the next agent to pick up and continue a conversation.

9. MailSuite

mailsuite

Image via MailSuite

MailSuite makes it easy to stay on top of all your email conversations by keeping tabs on every inbox activity. It quietly tracks when your messages are opened and how long they go unanswered.

Several features make MailSuite one of the best tools for tracking email response times. You receive follow-up reminders that allow you to set alerts if there’s no response within a specified time.

This keeps your inboxes clean and trains your team to have sharp response habits. MailSuite also comes with detailed analytics for customer service emails.

You can monitor how fast you’re responding, what your busiest days are, and which contacts are most active. It works for both Gmail and Outlook users, so you’re not locked into a single platform.

Key features

  • Email tracking for Outlook and Gmail
  • Follow-up reminders with prompt notifications
  • Email analytics for measuring email activities like open rates and response times
  • Mass email sending and tracking
  • Reusable email templates
  • Cross-platform support for Gmail and Outlook

Pros

  • Prompt follow-up reminders
  • Works on Outlook and Gmail
  • Supports email scheduling and bulk sending
  • Easy to set up and use

Cons

  • Lacks a mobile app for working on the go
  • Better features cost more

Pricing

MailSuite comes with two price plans:

  • Free: $0 per user per month
  • Advanced: $9.99 per user per month

mailsuite pricing

Image via MailSuite

Tool level

  • Intermediate

Usability

  • MailSuite is best for intermediate users but is also friendly enough for beginners. It’s easy to install and integrates directly with your inbox. Advanced users will also find the tracking and email analytics options quite familiar.

Pro tip: This email tracking tool includes follow-up reminders, which can be useful for managing response times. For example, you can set a 48-hour alert to check in on messages that haven’t been read.

Also Read:

Best practices for response time tracking

Tracking email response times is a smart way to improve communication and efficiency. However, it’s essential to follow best practices to maintain professionalism and adhere to proper email etiquette.

  • Use tools with clear privacy policies: Select tools for tracking email response time that clearly explain what email data they collect and how they store it. The right tools must adhere to data protection regulations.
  • Don’t track sensitive email threads: If an email contains private or legal information, avoid adding trackers to it. Even if your preferred tools for tracking email response time have strong privacy settings, it’s best to play it safe. Not every email needs to be monitored, especially if it contains highly confidential information.
  • Utilize anonymized reports: When reviewing team performance, prioritize using anonymized or aggregated data whenever possible. You don’t need to publicly single out an underperforming agent to spot trends or areas to improve.
  • Review tool permissions regularly: Some tools for tracking email response time update their permissions or features without much notice. Take time every few months to review and double-check the access you’ve granted. If something feels off, it’s okay to adjust the settings or try an alternative tool.
  • Be transparent with your clients: If you’re in a customer-facing role and your emails are tracked, be honest if someone asks. A simple line like “We use automated tools to make sure we reply quickly” is usually enough.

Also Read:

FAQ

1. Which tool can be used for tracking email performance?

There are many tools available for tracking email performance. You can track customer service-related metrics, such as open rates, time to opening, and click rates, among others. Here’s a list of the top tools for tracking email response time and performance.

  • timetoreply
  • Email Meter
  • Snov.io
  • Streak
  • MailTag
  • EmailAnalytics
  • Mailbutler
  • Right Inbox
  • MailSuite

2. What is the 48-hour rule for emails?

The 48-hour rule for emails is a general guideline that suggests responding to work-related emails within two business days. It helps set a reasonable expectation for replies without rushing or leaving people waiting too long.

For many businesses, adhering to this rule improves communication and shows respect for the sender’s time. It also gives enough room to write thoughtful replies without causing delays.

This rule is often used by customer service teams that want to stay organized without being overwhelmed by constant email checking. You can use tools for tracking email response time to implement the 48-hour rule.

3. What is the best email tracking tool?

timetoreply is the best email tracking tool. It can track reply times to show you the speed with which it provides real-time alerts, and gives you access to detailed email analytics.

Furthermore, timetoreply comes with a live dashboard to help managers keep an eye on all email activities. The tool integrates with Gmail and Outlook, providing the flexibility you need to manage all messages from a centralized location.

4. What is the industry standard for email response time?

The industry standard for measuring email response time varies by sector, but a common benchmark is within 24 business hours. Many customer-facing roles, such as support or sales, aim for even faster responses of under 6 hours.

To stay within these standards, many businesses use tools for tracking email response time. These tools show how quickly emails are answered and help flag slow reply patterns.

5. What is the etiquette for response time to emails?

The average email response time etiquette varies depending on the type of message and the nature of the relationship between the sender and recipient. Overall, the following are the expected norms of email etiquette.

  • Respond within 24 to 48 hours
  • Keep your tone polite and professional
  • Don’t send large attachments without warning
  • Follow up if there’s no reply
  • Respect privacy and don’t forward sensitive info
  • Use professional signatures with contact info

Also Read:

The right tools for a better response time

Improving your email response times gives you a competitive edge over your competitors. To achieve that, you need to have the right tools for tracking email response time in your corner.

Timetoreply caters to the needs of both small and large businesses. You can track email responses with real-time alerts on when they’re opened. Plus, timetoreply seamlessly integrates with Gmail and Outlook.

If improving response time is a priority, take advantage of timetoreply to ensure all emails you send and receive get the timely attention they deserve.

Book a demo today and see how it can help your team stay responsive, organized, and one step ahead.



Barry Blassoples

Head of Customer Success @ timetoreply
Barry Blassoples is the Head of Customer Success at timetoreply, where he helps customer-facing teams boost revenue and protect brand reputation by providing actionable insights to improve their business email response times. He has over 15 years of leadership experience across customer success, sales, and marketing roles in high-growth tech companies.



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