ReadNotify
readnotify.org
What it is
ReadNotify tracks email and document activity. It reports when tracked emails are opened, how long they are read, and whether they are forwarded or reopened. It can also track Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files. Reports may include approximate recipient location, IP address, email or browser software, language, and document activity. The service offers digitally signed proof of posting and opening with timestamps, along with self-destructing, ensured-receipt, and retractable email controls.
Notifications can arrive by email, SMS, or listed instant messaging services. The Gmail add-on works with Google Workspace, and the site also describes a Hotmail/Outlook OfficeJS app. Gmail access through POP or IMAP is not supported by the add-on. A free plan includes 20 tracked emails per month and two weeks of trial access to sender tracking and detailed recipient tracking. Monthly Select costs $3.99 a month; Basic costs $24 a year; Premium costs $36 a year. Subscriptions have email limits, and unused credits roll over while the subscription remains current. The service does not offer pay-as-you-go plans.
Spec sheet
- What it does
- ReadNotify tracks when sent emails and documents are delivered, opened, reopened or forwarded and provides sender reports.Read 15 Oct 2026 · readnotify.org
- Integrations
- The Gmail add-on works with Google Workspace, and the site also describes a Hotmail/Outlook OfficeJS app.Read 8 Oct 2026 · readnotify.org
- Support
- The maker provides a contact form and directs users to its FAQ for service questions.Read 8 Oct 2026 · readnotify.org
- ActiveTracker plugin
- The optional ActiveTracker RN5 automatically adds tracking to outgoing mail for paid subscribers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · readnotify.com
- Certified email
- Certified mode digitally signs messages and adds timestamp certificates intended to prove what was sent and when.Read 15 Oct 2026 · readnotify.org
- Company founding
- The company’s about page says ReadNotify was established in Australia in 1999.Read 15 Oct 2026 · readnotify.com
- Data collected
- The privacy statement says the service stores sender, recipient and subject information for tracked messages and may store account names.Read 15 Oct 2026 · readnotify.com
- Delivery notifications
- DSN support reports delivery, bounce-back, delay and successful-acceptance statuses.Read 15 Oct 2026 · readnotify.org
- Document tracking
- It tracks Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF files, including opens, readers, forwarding, printing or saving where detectable.Read 15 Oct 2026 · readnotify.org
- Documentation
- The official FAQ documents account management, sending methods, tracking modes, document tracking, limits and cancellation procedures.Read 15 Oct 2026 · readnotify.org
- Email controls
- Features include self-destructing, ensured-receipt, and retractable emails.Read 8 Oct 2026 · readnotify.org
- Email tracking
- ReadNotify reports when tracked emails are opened, how long they are read, and whether they are forwarded or reopened.Read 8 Oct 2026 · readnotify.org
- Ensured and retractable email
- Ensured messages remain on ReadNotify servers until the recipient accesses them, guaranteeing a notification; the message body can be retracted beforehand.Read 15 Oct 2026 · readnotify.org
- Extensibility
- Official pages describe ActiveTracker plugins, Gmail and Outlook integrations, and manual domain-suffix routing, but do not document a public REST API or SDK.Read 15 Oct 2026 · readnotify.org
- Forward tracking
- The service reports whether a message was opened on another computer, such as after forwarding, and may identify forwarding destinations.Read 15 Oct 2026 · readnotify.org
- Free trial
- The signup page offers a no-obligation trial lasting two weeks or 25 emails, whichever comes first.Read 15 Oct 2026 · readnotify.org
- Gmail compatibility limit
- The Gmail add-on does not work when email is accessed using POP or IMAP.Read 8 Oct 2026 · readnotify.com
- Infrastructure
- ReadNotify.com Pty Ltd says it owns physical servers in locked cages at secure datacenters in multiple countries.Read 15 Oct 2026 · readnotify.com
- Legal maker
- The privacy statement and terms identify the operator as ReadNotify.com Pty Ltd.Read 15 Oct 2026 · readnotify.com
- Licence
- The terms state that the service and underlying technology are proprietary and grant users only limited rights to use the service.Read 15 Oct 2026 · readnotify.com
- Limit: cancellation and billing
- Trustpilot reviewers allege difficulty cancelling renewals and continued charges after requesting cancellation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
- Limit: customer support
- Trustpilot reviewers repeatedly report unanswered support requests, including account-access and certification questions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
- Limit: dated interface
- A G2 reviewer said the website interface looked about ten years old and needed a more modern design.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
- Limit: feature breadth
- G2 reviewers say the product has a limited feature range for larger-company requirements and that paid pricing rose without comparable upgrades.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
- Limit: pricing and trial
- A G2 reviewer asked for lower pricing and a substantially longer free trial.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
- Limit: security allegation
- One 2026 Trustpilot reviewer alleged that using the service was followed by malware on a PC; this is an individual unverified complaint.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
- Limit: subscription model
- The FAQ says ReadNotify offers subscriptions only, with no pay-as-you-go option, and imposes email quotas to discourage bulk unsolicited mail.Read 15 Oct 2026 · readnotify.org
- Limit: Thunderbird compatibility
- A Firefox reviewer reported that after upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10, Thunderbird stopped automatically adding the ReadNotify suffix although manual tracking still worked.Read 15 Oct 2026 · addons.mozilla.org
- Link tracking
- ReadNotify records dates, times and URLs clicked in tracked messages.Read 15 Oct 2026 · readnotify.org
- Manual integration
- Users can add a ReadNotify domain suffix to a recipient address to activate tracking without installing software.Read 15 Oct 2026 · readnotify.org
- Notification channels
- Receipts can be delivered through the tracking page, email, SMS or pager alerts, and several instant-messaging networks.Read 15 Oct 2026 · readnotify.org
- Notifications
- Read notifications can be delivered by email, SMS, or several instant messaging services listed on the features page.Read 8 Oct 2026 · readnotify.org
- Open and read tracking
- Reports can include opening date and time, approximate reading duration and the number of openings.Read 15 Oct 2026 · readnotify.org
- Praise: ease and accuracy
- G2 reviewers repeatedly describe ReadNotify as easy to implement, easy to use and accurate for email-open notifications.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
- Praise: tracking usefulness
- G2 reviewers praise real-time open alerts, read receipts, link tracking, recall features and campaign follow-up insight.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
- Praise: unobtrusive plugin
- A Firefox reviewer praised unobtrusive, reliable tracking, detailed open and forwarding information, low cost and responsive support.Read 15 Oct 2026 · addons.mozilla.org
- Privacy controls
- The maker says users can permanently delete collected tracking information from its service, ending further activity collection.Read 8 Oct 2026 · readnotify.com
- Privacy disclosure
- ReadNotify says it does not read tracked email content and does not disclose collected information outside the company except for specified legal or safety circumstances.Read 15 Oct 2026 · readnotify.com
- Rating on Firefox Add-ons
- 4 out of 5 from 2 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · addons.mozilla.org
- Rating on G2
- 4.3 out of 5 from 10 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
- Rating on Trustpilot
- 2.5 out of 5 from 5 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
- Recipient details
- Reports can include approximate recipient location, IP address, email or browser software, language, and document activity.Read 8 Oct 2026 · readnotify.org
- Security and data handling
- The Gmail add-on page says email content is never sent to ReadNotify, received-message headers are temporarily processed but not stored, and communications are encrypted.Read 8 Oct 2026 · readnotify.com
- Security claim
- The company says its mail servers use SPF and Sender-ID compliance to support safe transmission and delivery reporting.Read 15 Oct 2026 · readnotify.org
- Self-destructing email
- Self-destructing messages can expire after a selected interval or when a recipient tries to print, copy, forward or save them.Read 15 Oct 2026 · readnotify.com
- Service history
- The current Gmail add-on page displays a copyright notice of 1999–2026.Read 8 Oct 2026 · readnotify.com
- Supported desktop software
- ActiveTracker supports modern 32-bit and 64-bit Windows, Apple Macintosh, Outlook desktop, Thunderbird, Hotmail, Yahoo and Gmail, with Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome.Read 15 Oct 2026 · readnotify.com
- Tracking limits
- The maker says subscriptions have email limits, unused credits roll over while the subscription is current, and it does not offer pay-as-you-go plans.Read 8 Oct 2026 · readnotify.org
Plans and prices
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Reports email opens, reading time, forwards, and reopens.
- Tracks Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files.
- Provides timestamped proof of posting and opening.
- Notifications can arrive by email, SMS, or instant messaging.
Limits
- Free plan allows 20 tracked emails per month.
- Gmail add-on does not work with POP or IMAP access.
- Subscriptions have email limits.
- No pay-as-you-go plan is offered.
Who it suits
ReadNotify suits people who need email and document activity reports, timestamped proof of posting or opening, or controls such as retractable messages. Its free plan may fit limited tracking needs, with paid subscriptions offering more tracked emails.
ReadNotify in depth
Read the full write-up
ReadNotify combines email and document tracking with recipient details, timestamped proof, and message controls. Check the plan limits and Gmail access requirement against your workflow before choosing a subscription.
Overview
ReadNotify is an email and document tracking service for senders who want more than an open notification. It is best suited to people who need timestamped proof or control over messages after sending; the Gmail add-on is a poor fit for anyone who retrieves mail through POP or IMAP.
Key features
Tracking reports show when an email is opened, how long it is read, and whether it is forwarded or reopened. Click and attachment tracking and real-time alerts add useful engagement signals, with notifications available by email, SMS, or supported instant messaging services. These reports can guide follow-up, but activity data is not evidence of a recipient’s intent.
ReadNotify’s certified email provides digitally signed proof of posting and opening, both with timestamps. That makes it a stronger option when a dated record matters more than a basic open count. It also tracks Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF documents. Reports may include approximate location, IP address, email or browser software, language, and document activity: helpful detail for some workflows, but a privacy-sensitive level of visibility. Users can permanently delete collected tracking information, ending further activity collection.
Self-destructing, ensured-receipt, and retractable email controls complement the tracking tools. The Gmail add-on works with Google Workspace, and ReadNotify also describes a Hotmail/Outlook OfficeJS app. Its Gmail add-on does not work when mail is accessed via POP or IMAP. On data handling, ReadNotify says the add-on does not send email content to its service; received-message headers are processed temporarily rather than stored, and communications are encrypted.
Pricing
The Free plan costs nothing, with unlimited duration and 20 tracked emails per month. It includes two weeks of trial access to sender tracking and detailed recipient tracking. That cap makes it suitable for occasional use or an initial evaluation, not a steady stream of tracked messages.
Monthly Select costs $3.99 a month and covers 350 emails per subscription period; unused emails accumulate indefinitely. It is the lower-commitment paid option for modest monthly volume. Basic costs $24 a year and covers 2000 emails per subscription period, with unused emails accumulating indefinitely. Premium costs $36 a year and has the same 2000-email allowance and rollover terms, so the supplied plan details show no higher quota to justify its price over Basic.
Subscriptions have email limits, and ReadNotify does not offer pay-as-you-go plans. Rollover applies while the subscription is current, so accumulated credits are not a substitute for maintaining an active subscription. Compare the stated plan allowances with expected volume before committing.
Platforms
ReadNotify supports Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, web, and an extension. Email-client support covers Gmail and Outlook. Gmail users need Google Workspace-compatible access through the add-on; POP and IMAP access will not work with it.
Who it's for
Choose ReadNotify if you need timestamped proof of email posting and opening, activity tracking across office documents and PDFs, or controls such as retractable and self-destructing messages. It is less suitable for high-volume senders who need flexible, usage-based billing, or Gmail users tied to POP or IMAP. Its detailed recipient reporting also makes it a deliberate choice for teams comfortable handling location, IP, and software information.
Pros and cons
Pros: Digitally signed, timestamped proof of posting and opening serves workflows that need a dated record.
Pros: Tracking spans email, attachments, and common office document formats, with alerts through several channels.
Pros: Email controls and permanent deletion of tracking data provide options beyond monitoring alone.
Cons: The Gmail add-on excludes POP and IMAP access, which rules out some inbox setups.
Cons: Monthly quotas and the absence of pay-as-you-go plans make irregular or variable usage harder to accommodate.
Cons: Premium costs more than Basic while carrying the same stated email allowance and rollover terms.
Alternatives
For broader sales-email tooling, start with Sales Email Tracking Software. Mailbutler Smart Assistant is another freemium option with a free Starter plan and wider listed platform support, including Linux. Choose Boomerang instead if its free Basic plan’s 10 monthly message credits, Send Later, and Boomerang Reminders better match a Gmail/G Suite workflow.
Mixmax may suit teams who want sequences: its free plan includes 20 tracked emails per month and up to 50 sequence recipients per month. DidTheyReadIt is another paid tracking option with a free subscription, though its trial duration and message limit may vary. Yesware offers free basic open and attachment tracking, plus 10 campaign recipients per month. Mailcastr is worth considering if branded free email tracking with push notifications and Android or iOS apps is a closer fit.
Choose RevenueGrid if automated activity capture and Salesforce integration are the priority; its Activity Capture 360 plan costs $30 a month per user. LeadBoxer is a freemium alternative whose Free (App) plan provides 25,000 credits per month, one user, one dataset, and one month of data retention.
Verdict
ReadNotify is a strong choice for senders who need timestamped proof, document tracking, and post-send message controls in one service. Its key reasons to look elsewhere are the Gmail add-on’s POP/IMAP restriction and subscription quotas without pay-as-you-go billing. Basic is the clearest annual fit in the supplied plans; Premium costs more for the same stated allowance.
Verdict
ReadNotify combines email and document tracking with recipient details, timestamped proof, and message controls. Check the plan limits and Gmail access requirement against your workflow before choosing a subscription.
Where Specifiction places it
- Sales Email Tracking Software#7 of 278.9