Alternatives · Email
Shortwave alternatives
Shortwave compared with 12 alternatives: Superhuman Mail, Spark Mail, Missive, HEY, Mimestream and 7 more.
Shortwave has a free plan. Paid plans start at $18 per seat / month (Pro, the individual plan). 4 of the 12 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 7 more offer a free trial.
12 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| ShortwaveThis tool | Free plan · from $18/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Superhuman Mail | From $25/mo | No | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Spark Mail | Free plan · from $8.25/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Missive | Free trial · from $14/mo | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| HEY | Free trial · from $99/yr | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Mimestream | Free trial · from $49.99/yr | Trial only | macOS |
| Cora | Free trial · from $20/mo | Trial only | Web |
| Extra | Free | Free | Web, macOS, iOS |
| Front | Free trial · from $25/mo | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Fyxer | Free plan · from $37/mo | Yes | Web |
| Jace AI | Free trial · from $20/mo | Trial only | Web |
| Kiwi for Gmail | Free trial · from $4/mo | Trial only | macOS, Windows |
| Proton Mail | Free plan · from $3.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
How each one differs from Shortwave
- From $25/mo
Superhuman Mail
Keyboard-driven email client for Gmail and Outlook with built-in AI
- Superhuman Mail starts at $25 per member / month, billed annually ($30 billed monthly). Shortwave starts at $18 per seat / month (Pro, the individual plan).
- Shortwave has a free plan. Superhuman Mail does not.
- Only Superhuman Mail lists a browser extension.
- Superhuman Mail also covers calendar and booking links.
- Shortwave also covers chat assistant, AI search and templates.
Suits: People on Gmail or Outlook who work through a high volume of email
- Free plan · from $8.25/mo
Spark Mail
Email client with a unified smart inbox, AI tools and team features
- Spark Mail starts at $8.25 per user / month, billed annually ($99 / year). Shortwave starts at $18 per seat / month (Pro, the individual plan).
- Only Shortwave lists a web app.
- Spark Mail also covers meeting notes, calendar and shared inbox.
- Shortwave also covers chat assistant and AI search.
Suits: People juggling several email accounts across desktop and phone
- Free trial · from $14/mo
Missive
Team email client with shared inboxes, internal chat and rules
- Missive starts at $14 per user / month, billed yearly ($18 billed monthly). Shortwave starts at $18 per seat / month (Pro, the individual plan).
- Shortwave has a free plan. Missive does not, though it has a free trial.
- Missive also covers tasks, shared inbox and workflow automation.
- Shortwave also covers chat assistant, AI search and templates.
Suits: Small teams sharing addresses such as support@ or sales@
- Free trial · from $99/yr
HEY
Email service and calendar with sender screening, from 37signals
- HEY starts at $99 per year (HEY for You, annual billing only). Shortwave starts at $18 per seat / month (Pro, the individual plan).
- Shortwave has a free plan. HEY does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only HEY lists a Linux app.
- HEY also covers calendar.
- Shortwave also covers chat assistant and AI search.
Suits: People ready to move to a new email address and a different inbox routine
- Free trial · from $49.99/yr
Mimestream
Native Mac email client built on the Gmail API
- Mimestream starts at $49.99 per year, or $4.99 billed monthly. Shortwave starts at $18 per seat / month (Pro, the individual plan).
- Shortwave has a free plan. Mimestream does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Shortwave lists a web app.
- Only Shortwave lists Windows, iOS and Android apps.
- Mimestream also covers Markdown.
Suits: Mac users whose email lives in Gmail or Google Workspace
- Free trial · from $20/mo
Cora
AI email assistant for Gmail that screens, drafts and briefs
- Cora starts at $20 per month, billed annually ($240); $25 billed monthly. Shortwave starts at $18 per seat / month (Pro, the individual plan).
- Shortwave has a free plan. Cora does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Shortwave lists macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps.
- Cora also covers tasks and inbox filtering.
- Shortwave also covers AI search, templates and email client.
Suits: Gmail and Google Workspace users buried in newsletters and notifications
- Free
Extra
Free AI email app that sorts Gmail and Outlook around your day
- Extra is free. Shortwave starts at $18 per seat / month (Pro, the individual plan).
- Only Shortwave lists Windows and Android apps.
- Extra also covers inbox filtering.
- Shortwave also covers templates.
Suits: iPhone, iPad and Mac users who want a personal inbox sorted for them
- Free trial · from $25/mo
Front
Shared inbox and customer operations platform with AI and ticketing
- Front starts at $25 per seat / month, billed annually. Shortwave starts at $18 per seat / month (Pro, the individual plan).
- Shortwave has a free plan. Front does not, though it has a free trial.
- Front also covers shared inbox and workflow automation.
- Shortwave also covers chat assistant, AI search, templates and email client.
Suits: Support and operations teams working shared addresses at volume
- Free plan · from $37/mo
Fyxer
AI assistant that sorts email, drafts replies and takes meeting notes
- Fyxer starts at $37 per person / month, billed annually ($49 billed monthly). Shortwave starts at $18 per seat / month (Pro, the individual plan).
- Only Shortwave lists macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps.
- Fyxer also covers meeting notes, transcription, booking links and inbox filtering.
- Shortwave also covers AI search, templates and email client.
Suits: Client-facing professionals with a high volume of email
- Free trial · from $20/mo
Jace AI
AI email agent with a web inbox for Gmail and Outlook
- Jace AI starts at $20 per month, billed yearly ($25 billed monthly). Shortwave starts at $18 per seat / month (Pro, the individual plan).
- Shortwave has a free plan. Jace AI does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Shortwave lists macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps.
- Jace AI also covers inbox filtering, workflow automation and AI agents.
- Shortwave also covers AI search and templates.
Suits: Professionals handling a high volume of email in Gmail or Outlook
- Free trial · from $4/mo
Kiwi for Gmail
Desktop app that runs Gmail and Google Workspace outside the browser
- Kiwi for Gmail starts at $4 per month (Starter; monthly or annual billing basis not confirmed). Shortwave starts at $18 per seat / month (Pro, the individual plan).
- Shortwave has a free plan. Kiwi for Gmail does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Shortwave lists a web app.
- Only Shortwave lists iOS and Android apps.
- Kiwi for Gmail also covers inbox filtering.
Suits: Heavy Gmail users who want email out of the browser
- Free plan · from $3.99/mo
Proton Mail
End-to-end encrypted email service based in Switzerland
- Proton Mail starts at $3.99 per month, billed every 12 months ($47.88); $4.99 billed monthly. Shortwave starts at $18 per seat / month (Pro, the individual plan).
- Only Proton Mail lists a Linux app.
- Proton Mail is open source and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Proton Mail also covers calendar.
- Shortwave also covers chat assistant, AI search and templates.
Suits: People who want an email provider that cannot read their messages
Limits worth knowing in Shortwave
- Sign-in requires Gmail or Google Workspace. Microsoft 365 and Exchange are not supported, and other providers only work by forwarding mail to Gmail.
- Paid plans start at $18 per seat a month for individuals and $30 on the business plans, and AI usage on every plan is capped by a daily quota.
- The Business plan limits AI search to 5 years of history and allows 3 AI filters.
- Native apps cover Mac, Windows, iOS and Android; other platforms rely on the web app.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Shortwave?
The alternatives to Shortwave in this directory are Superhuman Mail, Spark Mail, Missive, HEY, Mimestream, Cora, Extra, Front, Fyxer, Jace AI, Kiwi for Gmail and Proton Mail. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Shortwave.
Is there a free alternative to Shortwave?
Yes. Extra is free to use. Spark Mail, Fyxer and Proton Mail have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Shortwave alternatives work on Linux?
The Shortwave listing does not include a Linux app. HEY and Proton Mail list one.
Is there an open-source alternative to Shortwave?
Proton Mail is described as open source on its own site.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
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