Shortwave
AI email client for Gmail with an assistant, filters and split inbox
What is Shortwave?
Shortwave is an email client for Gmail and Google Workspace accounts built around an AI assistant that can organize the inbox, draft replies, search mail and schedule meetings from a prompt. It also offers a split inbox, bundles for bulk triage, plain-English AI filters and team features such as shared threads, private comments and assignments. Paid plans are priced per seat and differ mainly in AI quota and search limits.
Shortwave has a free plan. Paid plans start at $18 per seat / month (Pro, the individual plan). See every plan
Good for
- Gmail and Google Workspace users who want AI to triage and draft email
- Teams that want to comment on and assign email threads internally
- People who want Google Inbox-style bundles on top of Gmail
Worth knowing
- 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.
Key features
- AI assistant
- Prompt the assistant to organize the inbox, write in your own voice, search mail or schedule a meeting. It can also browse the web and analyze attachments.
- AI filters
- Describe a rule in plain English and it labels, stars or archives incoming mail. Business includes 3 AI filters, Premier 10 and Max 50.
- Split inbox and bundles
- Divide the inbox into tabs by sender, label or custom query, and triage promotions, newsletters and updates in bulk as bundles.
- AI search
- Ask questions across your mail instead of keyword searching. Business reaches back 5 years and reads up to 50 threads per search; Premier removes the history limit.
- Team collaboration
- Share a live thread with teammates, discuss it in private comments, assign emails with a done status, and keep shared labels, snippets and saved prompts.
- Scheduling and follow-ups
- The assistant checks availability, creates calendar events and writes scheduling emails. Snooze, delivery schedules and no-reply reminders are also included.
Shortwave pricing
- Starts at
- $18 per seat / month (Pro, the individual plan)
- Free plan
- Basic AI with a limited usage quota, 90 days of search history, up to 15 threads per AI search and a "Sent with Shortwave" email signature.
- Free trial
- 14-day free trial of the paid plans
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Basic AI with a limited usage quota, 90 days of standard and AI search history, and up to 15 threads per AI search. |
| Pro | $18per seat / month | For individuals: standard AI, full standard search history, 3 years of AI search history, AI web browsing and personalized AI writing. |
| Business | $30per seat / month | Standard AI with a daily usage quota, 5 years of AI search history, up to 50 threads per AI search and 3 AI filters. |
| Premier | $45per seat / month | Advanced AI with twice the Business usage, unlimited AI search history, up to 100 threads per AI search and 10 AI filters. |
| Max | $120per seat / month | Expert AI with six times the Business usage, up to 150 threads per AI search and 50 AI filters. |
Read from shortwave.com on Oct 4, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Shortwave before you buy.
How people rate the Shortwave app
4.7
out of 5 for the iPhone and iPad app
- 5 stars88%
- 4 stars6%
- 3 stars2%
- 2 stars1%
- 1 star3%
744 ratings on the App Store in the United States, read Oct 5, 2026. It rates the app, not everything the product does. See the listing
Works with
Shortwave alternatives
- Shortwave vs Superhuman Mail
From $25/mo
- Shortwave vs Spark Mail
Free plan · from $8.25/mo
- Shortwave vs Missive
Free trial · from $14/mo
- Shortwave vs HEY
Free trial · from $99/yr
- Shortwave vs Mimestream
Free trial · from $49.99/yr
Featured in
- The best Superhuman Mail alternatives in 2026Alternatives
- The best email apps in 2026Best of
Common questions
Is Shortwave free?
Shortwave has a free plan. Basic AI with a limited usage quota, 90 days of search history, up to 15 threads per AI search and a "Sent with Shortwave" email signature. Paid plans start at $18 per seat / month (Pro, the individual plan).
How much does Shortwave cost?
Shortwave lists 5 plans. Free: $0. Pro: $18 per seat / month. Business: $30 per seat / month. Premier: $45 per seat / month. Max: $120 per seat / month. Prices were read from shortwave.com on Oct 4, 2026.
What platforms does Shortwave work on?
Shortwave is available on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS and Android.
How is Shortwave rated?
Shortwave's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.7 out of 5 from 744 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 5, 2026. That is the store's rating of the app, not a score from us.
Does Shortwave have a Linux app?
No Linux app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 4, 2026. Shortwave is listed for Web, macOS, Windows, iOS and Android.
Is Shortwave open source?
Shortwave is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 4, 2026.
What does Shortwave integrate with?
Shortwave's listing names Gmail, Slack, Notion, Asana, HubSpot and Tasklet. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Does Shortwave have a free trial?
Yes. 14-day free trial of the paid plans.
Who makes Shortwave?
Shortwave is made by Shortwave Communications, Inc.
What are the alternatives to Shortwave?
The closest alternatives to Shortwave in our directory are Superhuman Mail, Spark Mail, Missive, HEY and Mimestream. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Shortwave.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 4, 2026. What people say is linked where it appears.