Download Sortd – Free Gmail Task & Email Manager

Overview

Sortd for Gmail is a free productivity extension that re‑imagines the traditional email inbox by turning it into a visual, drag‑and‑drop task board. Instead of scrolling through endless threads, users can assign coloured pips, headings, and custom columns that act like a lightweight Kanban board directly inside Gmail’s web client. The tool is built for people who want to keep their email workflow tidy without leaving the Gmail environment, making it ideal for freelancers, small‑team managers, and anyone who feels overwhelmed by a cluttered inbox. Sortd’s core promise is simple: manage your tasks and email together for free. By converting each email into a discrete, actionable card, the extension helps you see at a glance which messages require a reply, which are pending follow‑up, and which can be archived. The interface is deliberately minimalistic—no complex setup, no paid tiers, and no need for third‑party integrations unless you choose to sync with other productivity tools later. In short, Sortd provides a visual layer on top of Gmail that boosts clarity, reduces cognitive overload, and encourages a more disciplined approach to email handling.

Key Features & Benefits

• Visual To‑Do Columns: Create custom columns such as “To‑Do”, “Follow‑Up”, “Waiting”, and “Done” to categorize emails instantly.
• Drag‑and‑Drop Cards: Move any email between columns with a simple mouse drag, mirroring popular Kanban boards.
• Colour‑Coded Pips: Assign coloured tags to highlight priority, client, or project status at a glance.
• Inline Notes & Reminders: Add short notes or due‑dates directly on the email card without opening the message.
• One‑Click Task Creation: Convert an email into a task with a single click, preserving the original message for reference.
• Search‑Friendly Labels: Use Gmail’s native search combined with Sortd’s column labels to locate tasks quickly.
• Seamless Gmail Integration: Works inside the Gmail web UI; no separate window or login required.
• Free Forever Model: All core features are available at no cost, with optional premium upgrades for advanced automation.
• Secure & Private: Data stays within your Google account; Sortd never reads email contents beyond UI rendering.
• Regular Updates: The development team releases frequent bug fixes and UI tweaks based on community feedback.

These features collectively turn a static inbox into a dynamic workspace. For example, a sales professional can instantly move a prospect email into a “Follow‑Up” column, add a reminder for a call, and see the task’s status without ever leaving Gmail. The visual layout also reduces the mental effort of remembering which email required action, because the colour pips and column headings act as external memory cues. Because Sortd runs as a Chrome extension, it inherits Chrome’s security model, ensuring that your data remains encrypted and that the extension can’t inject malicious scripts into other sites.

Installation, Usage & Compatibility

Step‑by‑Step Installation

1. Open the Chrome Web Store and search for “Sortd for Gmail”.
2. Click Add to Chrome and confirm the permissions request.
3. After installation, a small Sortd icon appears next to the Chrome address bar.
4. Navigate to Gmail. The first time you load Gmail, Sortd will prompt you to enable the extension for your account.
5. Click Enable Sortd. The interface reloads, displaying the new column view above your inbox.

Getting Started with the Board

Once Sortd is active, you’ll notice three default columns: “To‑Do”, “Follow‑Up”, and “Done”. You can rename, add, or delete columns by clicking the gear icon on the top‑right of the board. To turn an email into a task, hover over the email row and click the Sortd button that appears. The email instantly becomes a card in the “To‑Do” column, and you can drag it to any other column as work progresses. Adding a note is as simple as clicking the card, typing in the note field, and hitting Enter. To set a reminder, click the clock icon on the card and choose a date/time; Sortd will push a notification within Gmail when the deadline approaches.

Operating System Compatibility

Sortd is a browser‑based extension, so it works on any operating system that supports Google Chrome, Chromium‑based browsers (Edge, Brave), or the Chrome Web Store. This includes Windows 10/11, macOS Monterey and later, Linux distributions, and Chrome OS. Because it operates inside Gmail’s web client, it does not support the Gmail mobile apps (Android or iOS). However, users can still benefit from Sortd’s visual organization when they access Gmail via a mobile browser that supports Chrome extensions (e.g., Samsung Internet with extension support).

Best Practices for Power Users

To maximize productivity, consider creating custom columns that reflect your workflow—for instance, “Awaiting Client”, “Drafting Reply”, and “Archive”. Use colour pips consistently: red for urgent, amber for medium priority, and green for low‑priority items. Regularly archive completed cards to keep the board lean, and enable the “Daily Summary” email (found in Settings > Notifications) to receive a concise report of pending tasks each morning.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Completely free core features make it accessible for individuals and small teams.
• Visual Kanban‑style board reduces inbox overwhelm.
• Drag‑and‑drop functionality is intuitive and requires no training.
• Secure integration; no external servers store email content.
• Works on all major desktop operating systems via Chrome.
• Regular updates based on user feedback keep the UI fresh.

Cons

• Only available for Gmail’s web client; no native mobile app.
• Advanced automation (e.g., auto‑assign rules) requires a paid plan.
• Users who rely heavily on Outlook or other email clients may find limited value.
• Initial column setup may feel redundant for users already comfortable with Gmail tabs.
• Performance can lag slightly on very large inboxes with thousands of messages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sortd really free or does it have hidden costs?

Sortd offers a completely free tier that includes unlimited columns, drag‑and‑drop, colour pips, and basic notes. There is an optional premium subscription that adds advanced automation, custom branding, and priority support, but none of the core productivity features are hidden behind a paywall.

Can I use Sortd with Gmail on a Mac?

Yes. Sortd runs as a Chrome extension, so any Mac that can run Google Chrome, Chromium, or Microsoft Edge can use Sortd with Gmail. No additional software is required.

Does Sortd sync my tasks across multiple devices?

Because Sortd stores board data in your Google account, any device where you sign into Chrome with the same Google profile will display the same columns and cards. However, the extension itself must be installed on each device’s browser to view the board.

What happens to my emails after I move them to a Sortd column?

Emails remain in your Gmail inbox; Sortd simply adds a visual overlay. Moving a message to a column does not delete or archive it unless you manually choose to archive. This ensures that no email is lost and you can still use Gmail’s native search and filters.

Is my data safe? Does Sortd read my email content?

Sortd runs locally in your browser and only accesses email metadata needed to render the board. It does not store email bodies on external servers, and all communication is encrypted via HTTPS. Your privacy remains protected under Google’s existing security policies.

Conclusion & Call to Action

For anyone who spends a large portion of their day wrestling with a noisy Gmail inbox, Sortd offers a fresh, visual approach that transforms email into actionable tasks without requiring a separate project‑management tool. Its free tier provides enough functionality to streamline daily workflows, while the optional premium plan can satisfy power users looking for deeper automation. The seamless Chrome integration means you can start organizing your emails within minutes, and because it respects Google’s security standards, you can trust that your data stays private.

Ready to declutter your inbox and turn emails into clear, manageable tasks? Download Sortd now and experience a more productive Gmail experience—free, secure, and instantly updatable.