Setting aside the privacy and wanting to distance from Big Tech, the fundamental difference is: - Gmail is a very versatile tool, you can configure it to suit

Setting aside the privacy and wanting to distance from Big Tech, the fundamental difference is: - Gmail is a very versatile tool, you can configure it to suit your needs and replicate most of the features of Hey. But they're basically hacks, like your bookmark of a search. - Hey is a workflow and experience that the authors believe is the best, and it works in a clean way. Another thing I like about Hey is how clean, light and fast it is. I don't need hangout, google meet, task and links to every Google product (but the Contacts page could be more accessible that buried between Photos and Drive!) And I certainly need a friggin splash screen while my webmail takes 10 seconds to load. What were they thinking? Did they forget what made Gmail so good to start with??