Tracking emails is a smart way to stay connected and follow up at the right time. Mailcastr is a solid free option, offering real-time notifications to help you take action when it matters.
If you send emails daily and need more than basic tracking, other tools provide advanced features like pipeline management, automated follow-ups, and lead tracking. They’re affordable, time-saving, and perfect for boosting your outreach.
Check out Mailcastr and some top alternatives that do even more.
Mailcastr: an email tracking app
Mailcastr is an email tracking app for Gmail and Android users. It offers real-time notifications for when emails are opened, read, or replied to, helping users know the right time to follow up. Its dashboard provides detailed insights, including historical data, readers’ devices, and even location information, all accessible directly from your browser.
Key features:
- Real-time notifications for email activity, including opens and replies
- A comprehensive dashboard to track email performance and filter messages
- Insights into readers’ devices and location information
- Fully integrated with Gmail for seamless tracking of your messages
- Free to use via a Google Chrome extension
Why use Mailcastr?
Mailcastr simplifies email tracking with instant access to essential details about your sent emails. Knowing when and where your email was opened can help you respond at the right time, ensuring better communication with your recipients.
Limitations
Mailcastr only works with Gmail, so it won’t track emails sent from other platforms like Outlook or Yahoo. Some users find this limiting, mainly if their clients or team members rely on non-Gmail services.
As one reviewer noted:
“Mailcastr only captures the opens in fluent within the Gmail. This is a major disadvantageous to me since I mainly deal with my clients and co-workers who are using other email service such as Outlook or Yahoo.”
Alternatives to Mailcastr
Is Mailcastr not enough for you? Here are a few strong competitors.
Woodpecker: A versatile tool for cold email outreach
Woodpecker is more than just an email tool – it’s a complete platform for businesses and lead generation agencies to track, manage, and optimize their outreach seamlessly. Whether you’re sending the right email to close a deal or monitoring messages for better engagement, Woodpecker provides all the essential tools in one private and easy-to-access site.
Key features:
- Free warm-up and verification to ensure your emails land in the right inbox
- Advanced inbox rotation and adaptive sending for high deliverability
- AI-driven condition-based campaigns with links tracking
- Centralized mailbox for streamlined team collaboration
- Deep integration with CRMs like HubSpot, Pipedrive and tools like Calendly
- Effective open rates tracking
Why users love Woodpecker:
- Users appreciate the warm-up campaigns and domain audits that ensure emails get through to leads without bouncing.
- Many users highlight the ease of tracking emails, including open rates, clicks on links, and reply detection.
- The platform’s automation tools help users reach out at the right time without feeling spammy.
- From personalized workshops to responsive support, users feel well-supported in managing their outreach campaigns.
- Features like GDPR compliance and built-in spam checks give users confidence in sending messages safely.
Streak
Streak is an email tracking app and CRM built directly into Gmail. It offers real-time notifications for email activity, such as when emails are opened or links are clicked, helping users follow up at the right time. Its dashboard provides detailed tracking insights, allowing users to seamlessly manage pipelines and automate workflows.
Key features:
- Real-time notifications for opens, replies, and link clicks
- Shared pipelines and email sharing for team collaboration
- AI-powered pipeline management for automated workflows
- A comprehensive dashboard to track and organize email performance
- Fully integrated with Google Workspace for streamlined functionality
Why use Streak?
Streak combines email tracking with CRM features, giving users a powerful tool for managing pipelines and following up with prospects. The ability to track emails and links in real time helps users respond strategically, while its AI tools automate data entry and workflow management for increased efficiency.
Limitations:
Streak only works within Gmail and Google Workspace, which can be a limitation for teams using other platforms. Users have also noted issues with integration options and an interface that feels slightly dated compared to competitors.
Mergo
Mergo is a mail merge tool for Gmail, designed to make bulk email campaigns simple and effective. It offers real-time tracking of emails, automated follow-ups, and integrations with Google Sheets, making it ideal for small-scale outreach.
Key features:
- Personalized mail merge with attachments and scheduling
- Real-time tracking of opens, clicks, and responses
- Integration with Google Sheets for seamless data management
- Automated follow-ups and AI-powered personalization
- Dashboard to manage email campaigns and recipient lists
Why use Mergo?
Mergo is an affordable solution for sending personalized email campaigns directly from Gmail. Its integration with Google Sheets simplifies list management, while real-time tracking and follow-up automation help users stay on top of their outreach efforts.
Limitations:
Mergo is better suited for small-scale campaigns due to Gmail’s sending limits. Users have reported unpredictable email limits and occasional deliverability issues, particularly when handling larger outreach efforts.
Conclusion
While Mailcastr works well for basic email tracking, it’s limited for those who send emails daily or need more advanced features. If you’re serious about outreach, investing in a tool like Woodpecker is worth investing in.
Woodpecker simplifies and scales your email campaigns with features like AI-driven automation, real-time tracking, and CRM integrations. Its focus on deliverability ensures your emails reach the right inbox.
Ready to upgrade? Try Woodpecker and see the difference for yourself!