There are times that you want to know with certainty whether an email you sent was opened. You may want to prevent it from being forwarded or decide to recall the message entirely. Ever wish you could send self-destructing email? Certified email, email tracking, and email read notification services let you do all that and sometimes a lot more. Find the service that best meets your needs with these top picks.
ReadNotify
ReadNotify is a sophisticated certified email service that has options to let you know whether an email you sent was opened under all circumstances and provides proof of your sending while hiding most of the complexity of the service behind easily accessible plug-ins, tools, and email shortcuts.
Extremely easy to use.
Quick setup.
Provides detailed results.
Works from your regular email program.
Lots of options.
Free version is limited to two weeks or 25 emails.
With ReadNotify, you can request a guaranteed proof of delivery when the recipient opens the email, and you can retract an email either before or after it is read.
SendItCertified
SendItCertified email certification service provides easy large file transfers, end-to-end secure email with proof of delivery, and biometric technology. Used by health care organizations, legal services, CPAs, and real estate professionals, SendItSecure promises security along with 256-bit encryption, malware and virus scanning, and password protection.
Runs entirely online (no downloads required).
Multiple subscription options.
Several custom options.
Must use their proprietary online email client to send mail.
Doesn’t connect to your existing address book.
Free version lasts 14 days only.
SendItCertified promises military-level monitoring for your important messages and attachments.
Pointofmail
Pointofmail is a comprehensive proof of receipt and reading service for email. Easy to use Pointofmail can deliver read receipts, track attachments, and let you modify or recall sent messages. Use it to disable email forwarding, tell how long the recipient read your email, and to enable self-destruction of emails. Most Pointofmail modes do not inform the recipient their interactions with the emails are being watched.
Includes several unique features.
Provides multiple ways to send tracked emails.
Results are easy to understand.
Three subscription options to choose from.
Several customizable settings.
Free version is limited in various ways.
Pointofmail analyzes your tracking data and provides real-time reporting.
Confimax
Confimax certified email service makes it easy to receive return receipts as soon as the recipient opens a message—assuming both accounts are compatible with the service—which not all of them are. Of those that are compatible, some have limitations including AOL mail and Lotus Notes.
Lets you send mail a few different ways.
Two plans are available to pick from.
Plug-in doesn’t work with every email program.
There isn’t a free option.
The cheaper plan doesn’t email the results to you.
Check the compatibility of Confimax with your email service before proceeding.
DidTheyReadIt
DidTheyReadIt makes it easy to know if and when an email you sent is opened, assuming the recipient opens it while online. The service is easy to use.
Provides easy login via social media sites.
Several options can be customized.
Works with a variety of email clients.
Four plans are available.
The free plan never expires.
Lets you send mail from their website.
Free plan is limited to 10 messages per month.
Doesn’t support choosing a different email account to send from.
However, DidTheyReadIt is problematic because recipients have no idea their interactions with the emails are recorded, and there is no way for them to opt-out of DidTheyReadIt return receipts. With today’s heightened interest in privacy, this may be a deal-breaker for some companies.
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