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Shortwave

Gmail reinvented by ex-Google Inbox engineers with multi-model AI

⭐ Top Quality
Productivity Freemium ★★★☆☆ 3.3/5 WEB, IOS, Android
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Shortwave transforms Gmail with multiple frontier AI models. Intelligent email search with automatic indexing. Built by ex-Google Inbox engineers. Small, focused team backed by top-tier VC. SOC 2 (enterprise). MCP Protocol.

Shortwave is an artificial intelligence tool in the Productivity category, developed by Shortwave Labs Inc. and launched in 2021. Shortwave transforms Gmail with multiple frontier AI models. Intelligent email search with automatic indexing. Built by ex-Google Inbox engineers. Small, focused team backed by top-tier VC. SOC 2 (enterprise). MCP Protocol. Key features include: Multi-model AI Assistant (GPT-4o, Claude), Thread summaries, Smart Inbox with bundles, AI Compose, Intelligent email search, MCP Protocol support. The tool is available on web, ios, android with a freemium pricing model.

🔗 Visit Shortwave 📂 See all Productivity tools

💰 Pricing

Freemium — Personal: free · Business: $24/mo/user · Max: $100/mo (Claude Opus 4.5)

✨ Features

Multi-model AI Assistant (GPT-4o, Claude)
Thread summaries
Smart Inbox with bundles
AI Compose
Intelligent email search
MCP Protocol support
Auto bundles (grouping)
Tone matching

🎯 Use Cases

⚖️ Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Multi-model AI with your choice of frontier and open-source models — pick the best for each task
  • Intelligent email search — find any message by its content, not just keywords
  • Founded by ex-Google Inbox engineers — proven email product expertise
  • MCP Protocol support enables advanced AI agent integration — future-proof architecture
  • Functional free personal plan to try the core experience

👎 Cons

  • Gmail only — no Outlook or IMAP support, which excludes a huge portion of email users
  • Very small company (~17 employees, ~20K users) — long-term viability is uncertain
  • Max plan at ~$100/mo is very expensive and security certification only available on Enterprise

🏆 Verdict

The most technically advanced AI email client (intelligent search, multi-model, MCP), but the small scale and Gmail-only support limit adoption.

In summary, Shortwave stands out in the productivity AI landscape thanks to its strengths: multi-model ai with your choice of frontier and open-source models — pick the best for each task, intelligent email search — find any message by its content, not just keywords, founded by ex-google inbox engineers — proven email product expertise. However, some users note: gmail only — no outlook or imap support, which excludes a huge portion of email users, very small company (~17 employees, ~20k users) — long-term viability is uncertain. If you're looking for alternatives, you can compare Shortwave with Missive, Spark, Superhuman. Our overall rating: 3.3/5.

ℹ️ Information

CompanyShortwave Labs Inc.
Launched2021
PlatformsWEB, IOS, Android
CategoryProductivity
Sitehttps://shortwave.com

🔄 Alternatives

✉️
Missive
Team inbox with AI and collaboration in real time
✉️
Spark
The smart email client with AI writing and team collaboratio
Superhuman
The fastest email client in the world, acquired by Grammarly

📊 Comparisons with Shortwave

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shortwave?
Shortwave is gmail reinvented by ex-Google Inbox engineers with multi-model AI. Shortwave transforms Gmail with multiple frontier AI models. Intelligent email search with automatic indexing. Built by ex-Google Inbox engineers. Small, focused team backed by top-tier VC. SOC 2 (ent
Is Shortwave free?
The pricing model for Shortwave is: freemium. Personal: free · Business: $24/mo/user · Max: $100/mo (Claude Opus 4.5)
What are the alternatives to Shortwave?
What are the alternatives to Shortwave : Missive, Spark, Superhuman.