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How Subtext works: a real message, start to finish

Subtext reads a message before you send it, together with the whole thread around it. It runs on iPhone, iPad, Android and the web, works in 17+ languages, and nothing you send is used to train an AI model. Below are five real messages, each played back exactly as the app handled it and then written out in full, followed by what each feature does.

Subtext's demo replays five real messages exactly as the app returned them: cancelling plans, admitting you're hurt about a decision, walking back an overcommitment at work, replying while you're still hurt, and following up on an invoice for the second time. In each one Subtext marks the exact words that could land wrong (passive-aggressive, self-deprecation, sarcasm, overpromise), names the feeling underneath (guilt, hurt, overwhelmed, anxious), and gives three versions, each with its own verdict: safe to send, or check before sending. In the first, the draft ends “please don't hate me, i promise we'll do whatever you want next time”; Subtext tags that as validation seeking and an overpromise, and its first version reads “Hey, I'm really sorry but I can't make it tonight after all. I know I said I'd be there and I feel bad about canceling. Can we reschedule soon?”

Tap a tag to see what Subtext caught

Subtext Draft

This is one real message run through Subtext. Every tag, explanation, version and note is exactly what it gave back. Tap anything.

The five examples in full

Each message exactly as Subtext handled it: the draft, what it marked and why, and the three versions it offered with their verdicts.

Canceling plans

The draft

heyy so im so sorry but i don't think i can make it tonight after all... i know i said i'd come and i feel terrible, please don't hate me, i promise we'll do whatever you want next time

What Subtext marked

Validation seeking
“please don't hate me” seeks reassurance rather than taking ownership of the cancellation.
Overpromise
“i promise we'll do whatever you want next time” makes a broad promise that may be hard to keep and sounds like overcompensating.
Nervous opener
“heyy” with double letters can read as nervous or overly apologetic before you've even said anything.
Guilt
You feel guilty about canceling after committing to go.

Got it. You need to cancel and you feel bad about it. Let me help you keep it genuine without the over-apologizing.

The three versions

  1. Apologize clearly

    Hey, I'm really sorry but I can't make it tonight after all. I know I said I'd be there and I feel bad about canceling. Can we reschedule soon?

    Apologetic
    You come across as genuinely sorry while staying grounded.
    safe to send
    This apologizes sincerely and offers to reschedule without overcompensating. Should land well.

    Only 35% of your message has been edited in this draft.

  2. Warmer and more personal

    Hey, I'm so sorry but I'm not going to be able to make it tonight. I really wanted to come and I feel terrible bailing on you. Let me make it up to you soon?

    Apologetic
    You sound warm and genuinely sorry without seeking validation.
    safe to send
    This keeps the warmth and personal connection while staying accountable. Should land really well.

    Only 45% of your message has been edited in this draft.

  3. Brief and direct

    Hey, something came up and I can't make it tonight. I'm really sorry to cancel on you. Are you free later this week?

    Apologetic
    You come across as respectful and accountable without excessive guilt.
    safe to send
    This is straightforward and respectful. The immediate reschedule offer shows you're serious about following through.

    55% of your message has been edited in this draft.

Hurt about a decision

The draft

so i saw your text about the trip and honestly i'm kind of hurt you booked it without even asking me first? like were you even going to tell me

What Subtext marked

Passive-aggressive
The phrase “like were you even going to tell me” might come across as indirect hostility rather than expressing the hurt directly.
Hurt
You express hurt about being left out of a decision that affects you both.

It makes total sense that being left out of this decision hurts. Let me help you say that clearly.

The three versions

  1. Close to original

    I saw your text about the trip, and I'm honestly hurt that you booked it without talking to me first. I'm wondering if you were planning to tell me.

    Hurt
    You express hurt while seeking clarity about what happened.
    check before sending
    The question at the end could still feel a bit accusatory. If the recipient is already defensive, they might focus on that instead of hearing your hurt.

    Only 15% of your message has been edited in this draft.

  2. Softer and warmer

    I saw your text about the trip. I have to be honest, it really hurt to find out you'd already booked it. I thought we'd talk about something like this together first.

    Hurt
    You share your hurt openly while expressing what you expected from the relationship.
    safe to send
    This version keeps your feelings front and center while staying open. Should land well.

    Only 35% of your message has been edited in this draft.

  3. Full rewrite

    Hey, I saw the trip text. I'm feeling pretty hurt that you went ahead and booked it without us talking about it first. It matters to me that we make decisions like this together. Can we talk about what happened?

    Vulnerable
    You name your hurt, share what matters to you, and invite dialogue.
    safe to send
    Clear, warm, and opens the door for conversation. This gives them a chance to explain and shows you want to work through it together.

    55% of your message has been edited in this draft.

Overcommitting at work

The draft

i mean i can try to get both done by friday if that's really what you need but it's going to be super tight and honestly the quality might suffer but yeah i'll do my best i guess

What Subtext marked

Overpromise
You're committing to a timeline you don't believe in ('quality might suffer'), which sets up both you and the recipient for disappointment or subpar work.
Self-deprecation
'i'll do my best i guess' downplays your effort and sounds apologetic for something you haven't even done yet.
Clarity
The message hedges so much ('i mean', 'i guess', 'honestly') that it's unclear whether you're actually agreeing or warning them this won't work.
Overwhelmed
You're expressing stress about an unrealistic deadline while reluctantly agreeing to it.

You're trying to be helpful, but this sets you up for stress and them for disappointment. Let's make it clear and realistic.

The three versions

  1. Clear about the risk

    I can try to get both done by Friday if that's what you need, but the timeline is really tight and the quality will likely suffer. Let me know if that trade-off works for you or if we should prioritize one.

    Cautious
    You're setting realistic expectations while staying open to their needs.
    check before sending
    This is clearer, but “quality will likely suffer” might sound too negative or like you're already making excuses. Some recipients might appreciate the honesty, others might see it as a lack of confidence.

    Only 40% of your message has been edited in this draft.

  2. Propose an alternative

    Friday is really tight for both. I can get one done well by Friday and the other early next week, or rush both but the quality won't be what you're used to. What would work better for you?

    Confident
    You're presenting options calmly and letting them decide what matters most.
    safe to send
    This offers a clear choice and shows you're thinking about quality, which should land well.

    55% of your message has been edited in this draft.

  3. Set a boundary kindly

    I want to make sure I deliver quality work, so Friday for both is going to be a stretch. I can prioritize one for Friday and have the second ready early next week. Does that work, or is there flexibility on either deadline?

    Grounded
    You're calm, clear about your limits, and focused on finding a workable solution together.
    safe to send
    This keeps your boundary clear while staying collaborative and solution-focused.

    65% of your message has been edited in this draft.

Replying while hurt

The draft

wow ok. good to know where i stand with you i guess. must be nice to just forget about people whenever something better comes along

What Subtext marked

Sarcasm
The phrase “must be nice to just forget about people whenever something better comes along” reads as sarcastic and could come across as bitter or mocking rather than expressing your hurt directly.
Passive-aggressive
“good to know where i stand with you i guess” indirectly expresses your hurt through dismissive language rather than stating how you feel openly.
Hurt
You're expressing pain at feeling forgotten or deprioritized by someone.

I can hear the hurt coming through. Let me help you say what you're really feeling without the sarcasm.

The three versions

  1. Closer to yours

    wow ok. i guess i know where i stand with you now. it feels like you just forgot about me when something better came along

    Hurt
    The draft expresses feeling dismissed and forgotten, though with a bit of an edge.
    check before sending
    Still carries some edge with “something better came along” which could sound accusatory. The opening “wow ok” might read as sarcastic depending on your relationship.

    Only 15% of your message has been edited in this draft.

  2. More direct

    hey, this actually really hurt. it feels like i just got forgotten about, and i'm not sure where we stand now

    Hurt
    You're being vulnerable about feeling forgotten while staying open to dialogue.
    safe to send
    Opens up honestly about the hurt without accusations. Should invite conversation rather than defensiveness.

    Only 45% of your message has been edited in this draft.

  3. Open and vulnerable

    i'm feeling pretty hurt right now. it seems like i got dropped the moment something else came up, and that stings. can we talk about what happened?

    Hurt
    You're naming the hurt directly and opening the door to understanding what went wrong.
    safe to send
    Expresses your hurt clearly and invites repair. The most likely to get a genuine response and move toward resolution.

    60% of your message has been edited in this draft.

Following up, again

The draft

hey sorry to bug you again!! i know you're super busy but did you maybe get a chance to look at the invoice i sent last week? no rush at all seriously whenever is fine

What Subtext marked

Self-deprecation
Opening with “sorry to bug you again” frames your legitimate follow-up as an annoyance rather than a normal business request.
Validation seeking
Phrases like “no rush at all seriously whenever is fine” undercut your request and signal that your invoice doesn't matter, making it easy to deprioritize.
Anxious
You're clearly nervous about following up, apologizing excessively and undermining your own legitimate request.

You're being way too apologetic for a totally normal follow-up. Following up on an invoice is professional and expected, not a bother.

The three versions

  1. Friendly check-in

    hey! just wanted to follow up on the invoice i sent last week. let me know if you need me to resend it or if you have any questions

    Calm
    The draft comes across as relaxed and professional, without anxiety or excessive apology.
    safe to send
    This keeps your friendly tone while being clear and professional. Should land well.

    65% of your message has been edited in this draft.

  2. Warmer with timeline

    hey! just wanted to check in on the invoice i sent last week. no huge rush, but let me know if you need anything from my end or have any questions

    Confident
    The message sounds self-assured and professional, treating your request as valid and routine.
    safe to send
    This is warm and accommodating while still being clear. The “no huge rush” leaves some breathing room without dismissing your request entirely.

    55% of your message has been edited in this draft.

  3. Clear and direct

    hey! wanted to follow up on the invoice from last week. just checking if you had a chance to review it. let me know if there's anything you need from me

    Confident
    You sound assured and helpful, balancing professionalism with a friendly approach.
    safe to send
    This is friendly but straightforward, treating the follow-up as the normal business practice it is. Should land well.

    70% of your message has been edited in this draft.

Write your message. Subtext reads the tone.

It spots the emotions and the triggers before they land, so you see how your message could read to them.

01

Reads the tone first

It marks the exact words that could feel harsh, passive or easy to misread, then names the feeling underneath. It watches for 48 kinds of trigger and reads from a vocabulary of 51 emotions.

look i really need u to stop sending voice msgs without any text... it freaks me out and u know that but u keep doing it anyway?!!

02

Bring it any way it comes

Type a draft, paste a screenshot of the thread, or record a voice note. It reads the whole conversation and drafts your reply.

The composer just says "Write or ask me to...". A half-finished draft is enough.

Drop a screenshot of the thread. It reads the whole conversation, not just your line.

Talk it out instead of typing. It works with their voice messages too.

03

Thinks it through with you

When a message really matters, it stops and asks what you want to get across, then writes from your answer instead of guessing.

What should your reply get across most?

04

Fine-tune without prompting

No prompt writing. Tap shorter, warmer, more casual or add confidence, and it rewrites while still sounding like you.

Make it warmer and add empathy if necessary.

Make it shorter without switching the language of the message.

Sound more natural

Add light humor to soften. Avoid sarcasm at all cost.

Make it sound confident (but keep it empathetic if possible).

05

Different ways to say it

One message, three directions, one tap apart. Read the warm one, then the short one, and send whichever sounds like you.

Subtext Draft

You didn't do anything wrong. I just find it easier with a little text. I still love your voice messages, promise.

We're completely fine. It's a small thing that just helps my head. Nothing more than that.

All good. A quick line of text is all I meant. We're good.

06

Works in 17+ languages

It reads and answers in the language you write in, and it stays native, not translated. The tags, the explanations and the safe-to-send note all switch with it.

  • Dansk
  • Deutsch
  • English
  • Español
  • Español (México)
  • Français
  • Français (Canada)
  • Italiano
  • Nederlands
  • Norsk
  • Português
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Suomi
  • Svenska
  • Türkçe
  • 日本語
  • 한국어
  • + more

Right where you need it

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