Shift vs Wavebox

Shift

• People juggling several email accounts and app logins
• Freelancers and consultants who keep each client in its own Space
• Those who want to design their own browser layout

Wavebox

• Virtual assistants and agencies working across many client accounts
• People who live in several Gmail, Slack or Teams accounts at once
• Teams that want a shared, pre-configured browser for new hires

Shift

• The free plan is limited to 5 Spaces, 10 apps per Space and limited Shift AI usage.
• Shift is available on desktop for Mac and Windows only; no Linux or mobile version is listed.
• Team setups with consolidated billing and a central dashboard are not priced publicly; the pricing page says to contact Shift.
• Refunds are offered only within 14 days of a purchase or renewal payment.

Wavebox

• The free Basic plan stops at 2 groups with 2 apps in each, 1 extension and 1 dashboard.
• The pricing page shows annual-billing rates only; monthly billing is offered, but its price is not listed there.
• Wavebox is a desktop browser for macOS, Windows and Linux; no mobile app is listed.
• The Mac version requires macOS 12 Monterey or later.

Shift

Browser Builder and templates

Apps, bars and controls can be dragged anywhere in the window, unused controls can be removed, and templates offer ready-made layouts with the sidebar at the side, top or bottom.

Spaces

Spaces separate work, hobbies and projects, each with its own apps, tabs and extensions. Several logins for the same app can be toggled without signing out.

Multiple inboxes

Several Gmail, Outlook or Yahoo email accounts can be opened side by side, with the apps and extensions used alongside them kept in the same Space.

Shift AI

An optional assistant summarizes pages and videos, drafts replies and answers questions using context from Spaces, apps, history and open tabs, with a separate chat in each Space.

App library and Chrome extensions

More than 4,500 apps can be connected from Shift's library in one click, any Chrome extension can be added, and Shift offers to add apps that are missing.

Download scanning and site checks

Downloads are screened through Avira's file reputation service, visited URLs are checked with Google Web Risk, and passwords are encrypted and stored locally.

Wavebox

Apps, groups and Spaces

Web apps sit in a sidebar and are grouped much like apps on a phone, and Spaces keep separate setups for work, home or individual clients.

Several accounts signed in at once

Multiple accounts of the same service, such as Gmail, Slack, Microsoft Teams or Asana, stay signed in side by side without switching browsers or profiles.

Unread badges and notifications

Apps show unread badges and desktop notifications, the Wavebox Mini menu lists what is new across accounts, and Focus Mode silences them for a while.

Split screen and tab strips

Any app or tab can be split into resizable panes, including two accounts of the same type, and every group has its own tab strip.

AI assistant on the page

A chosen AI engine works in the context of the current app or tab, with ready-made skills in the right-click menu and custom skills. It can be disabled.

Chrome extensions and team setups

Extensions install from the Chrome Web Store, with 20 or more built in. Teams can share an app setup with encrypted passwords and manage the browser remotely.

Shift

• Free$0

  5 Spaces with 10 apps per Space, the Browser Builder and templates, limited Shift AI usage, and email and chatbot support.

• Advanced$19.99

  per month, or $199.99 billed annually

  Unlimited Spaces and apps per Space, expanded Shift AI usage and priority customer support with video calling.

Wavebox

• Basic$0

  Work and Home spaces, 2 groups with 2 apps in each, 1 extension and one dashboard.

• Wavebox Pro$8.33

  per month, paid annually

  For individuals: unlimited spaces, groups and apps, all extensions, cloud sync and unlimited dashboards. The help center puts the annual charge at $99.

• Teams$12.50

  per user / month; $150 per seat when paid annually

  Everything in Pro plus Connect, shared dashboards, Wavebox Live, consolidated billing and an admin portal. Monthly billing is offered at a rate not shown.

Shift

• Annual discount

  Save $40 with annual billing

  Shift Advanced is $199.99 billed annually, against $19.99 a month. Shift's pricing page labels the annual option as a $40 saving.

Wavebox

• Education

  70% discount for education

  People in full-time education or working in education can claim 70% off by starting a 7-day trial with an education email address and then emailing support.

• Nonprofit

  70% discount for non-profits

  Non-profit teams and people working in the non-profit sector can claim 70% off by starting a 7-day trial with a .org email address and then emailing support.