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Shortwave alternatives · Email

End-to-end encrypted alternatives to Shortwave

The Shortwave listing does not describe it as end-to-end encrypted. 8 of the 51 other email apps in this directory are end-to-end encrypted, according to their own sites.

Shortwave has a free plan. Paid plans start at $18 per seat / month (Pro, the individual plan). 6 of them are free or have a free plan.

8 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

How each one differs from Shortwave

  1. 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.
    Proton Mail vs ShortwaveProton Mail pricing and details

  2. Canary Mail

    AI email client with PGP encryption for Mac, iOS, Windows, Android

    • Canary Mail starts at $36 per year (Growth), shown as $3 per month billed yearly. Shortwave starts at $18 per seat / month (Pro, the individual plan).
    • Only Shortwave lists a web app.
    • Canary Mail is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • Canary Mail can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Canary Mail pricing and details

  3. BlueMail

    Cross-platform email client with a unified inbox and built-in AI

    • BlueMail starts at $35.99 per year (Plus, shown as $3 per month billed annually). Shortwave starts at $18 per seat / month (Pro, the individual plan).
    • Only BlueMail lists a Linux app.
    • Only Shortwave lists a web app.
    • BlueMail is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    BlueMail pricing and details

  4. Tuta Mail

    End-to-end encrypted email and calendar from Germany

    • Tuta Mail starts at €3 per month, paid yearly (lowest paid personal plan). Shortwave starts at $18 per seat / month (Pro, the individual plan).
    • Only Tuta Mail lists a Linux app.
    • Tuta Mail is open source and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • Tuta Mail also covers calendar.
    Tuta Mail pricing and details

  5. mailbox

    Paid, ad-free email with cloud storage and office tools from Germany

    • mailbox starts at €1 per month, annual payment only (€12 a year, Light). Shortwave starts at $18 per seat / month (Pro, the individual plan).
    • Shortwave has a free plan. mailbox does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Shortwave lists macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps.
    • mailbox is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    mailbox pricing and details

  6. Posteo

    Ad-free, green-powered email from Berlin for €1 a month

    • Posteo starts at €1 per month, prepaid (minimum top-up €12). Shortwave starts at $18 per seat / month (Pro, the individual plan).
    • Shortwave has a free plan. Posteo does not.
    • Only Shortwave lists macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps.
    • Posteo is open source and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    Posteo pricing and details

  7. Mailfence

    Private email from Belgium with built-in OpenPGP encryption

    • Mailfence starts at €2.50 per month, billed yearly (Base). Shortwave starts at $18 per seat / month (Pro, the individual plan).
    • Only Shortwave lists macOS and Windows apps.
    • Mailfence is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • Mailfence also covers calendar and documents.
    Mailfence pricing and details

  8. FairEmail

    Open source, privacy-oriented email client for Android

    • FairEmail starts at $7.49 one-time (pro features, US Google Play in-app purchase). Shortwave starts at $18 per seat / month (Pro, the individual plan).
    • Only Shortwave lists a web app.
    • Only Shortwave lists macOS, Windows and iOS apps.
    • FairEmail is open source and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    FairEmail pricing and details

Common questions

Is there an end-to-end encrypted alternative to Shortwave?

Yes. Proton Mail, Canary Mail, BlueMail, Tuta Mail, mailbox, Posteo, Mailfence and FairEmail are end-to-end encrypted, according to their own sites.

Is Shortwave end-to-end encrypted?

The Shortwave listing does not describe it as end-to-end encrypted. The listing was checked on Oct 4, 2026 against the pages it cites.

Which of these email apps are free?

Proton Mail, Canary Mail, BlueMail, Tuta Mail, Mailfence and FairEmail are free or have a free plan.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Shortwave: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.