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Shortwave review
7.6/10★★★★★AI-first Gmail app with an assistant that searches, drafts, filters and schedules
- Best for
- Gmail and Google Workspace users who want an AI-first inbox
- Price
- Free trial · from $30/month
- Platforms
- Web, iOS, Android, Desktop app
- Made by
- Shortwave Communications, Inc.
- App store ratings
- iOS 4.7★ (744) · Android 4.3★ (1.2K)
What it is
Shortwave is an email app for Gmail and Google Workspace built by former Google Inbox team members. Its AI assistant searches across threads and attachments, writes in your style, applies plain-English filters, finds meeting times and lets you choose between Claude models at higher tiers.
What the AI does
- AI assistant that searches threads and attachments
- Writing in your own style, with autocomplete
- Plain-English AI filters that label and archive
- Meeting scheduling from your calendar
- Choice of Claude models by plan
Pros and cons
- Excellent AI search and summaries
- Assistant can act on mail, not just draft
- Team comments and thread sharing
- Apps on every major platform
- Gmail and Google Workspace accounts only
- No free plan any more, and AI usage is capped by tier
- You have to switch to a new email app
How it scores
Reviewers call it the best AI-native Gmail experience; Gmail-only support and a $30 starting price hold it back.
Feature checklist · 7 of 9
- Works with both Gmail and Outlook accounts (no)
- Summarises long email threads (yes)
- Drafts replies in your own writing style (yes)
- Automatically sorts or prioritises your inbox (yes)
- Ask AI questions about your inbox (yes)
- Free plan includes AI features (no)
- iPhone and Android apps (yes)
- Team collaboration or shared inboxes (yes)
- Helps schedule meetings from email (yes)
Alternatives
See all Shortwave alternatives, ranked →
- Gmail with Gemini 8.3/10Anyone already using Gmail who wants AI help without switching apps
- Superhuman Mail 8.0/10Professionals who handle a lot of email every day and will pay for speed
- Spark Mail 8.0/10People juggling several email accounts who want AI help at a low price
- Outlook with Copilot 7.5/10People and companies already on Microsoft 365
Gmail with Gemini vs ShortwaveSuperhuman Mail vs ShortwaveSpark Mail vs Shortwave