An assistant that knows your emails
You ask a question in plain language, as you would a colleague. The assistant searches your emails, reads the long threads, and answers with the relevant messages.
AI tools · Email and calendar
Shortwave pricing, use cases, and first steps
Shortwave is an email app that replaces the Gmail screen. You keep your address and your emails: only the display changes. An assistant in the right-hand column finds a message, summarizes a long thread, drafts your replies in your style, and files what isn’t urgent. It works only with Gmail and Google Workspace.
Shortwave has a free plan. The recommended plan to start with: Free, $0. Prices checked on October 3, 2026 on the vendor’s official page.
ShortwaveAn email app for Gmail, with an assistant that sorts and drafts- Vendor
- Shortwave Communications (United States)
- Free plan
- Yes
- Recommended plan
- Free, $0
- Page checked on
- October 3, 2026
What Shortwave does
Who it’s for: people who get a lot of email on a Gmail or Google Workspace address: sales reps, business owners, team leads.
Replies written in your style
Shortwave learns how you write from your sent emails. It suggests a ready-made reply, completes your sentences when you press Tab, and can rework a draft to make it clearer.
Filters described in your own words
You describe a rule in one sentence. Shortwave applies it to every incoming email: it adds a label, adds a star, or archives the message.
Also
- An inbox organized into tabs and bundles
- An email becomes a task
- Schedule a meeting from an email
- Work on an email as a team
- Connect your other apps
Shortwave pricing
Prices published in dollars, billed monthly. A single subscription covers all your email accounts. Refund possible within 14 days of a payment. Assistant usage resets every 24 hours.
| Plan | Price | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Free Recommended to start | $0 | Trying out the inbox organization |
| Business | $30 per user per month | Daily use with the assistant |
| Premier | $45 per user per month | High email volumes |
| Max | $120 per user per month | Heavy use of the assistant |
What the free plan includes
Yes. You can start without paying: the vendor says most of the sorting features are free. Your last 90 days of email are loaded. The assistant is there, with limited usage each day. Paid plans start with a 14-day trial.
Nova’s advice
Start without paying and use the 14-day trial to judge the assistant on your real emails. At $30 per month, Business is worth it only if email takes up a large part of your days. If you already have Gemini in Gmail through your company, compare before you pay.
A first try, in 5 minutes
Your data. Shortwave keeps a copy of your emails on Google Cloud servers and states that your data is never used to train its providers’ AI models.
What it does less well
- Gmail and Google Workspace only. Outlook, Microsoft 365, and Exchange are not supported. The only workaround offered is to forward your emails to a Gmail address.
- Interface in English only, on desktop and on phone.
Have your inbox sorted and a reply draftedShortwave- Open Shortwave. Press ⌘ + J on Mac, or Ctrl + J on Windows: the assistant opens in the right-hand column.
- Paste the prompt below and submit. The assistant reads your recent messages and suggests what to handle, archive, or label.
- Review its suggestion before you accept. Nothing is deleted without your approval.
- Open an email that is waiting for a reply. Ask the assistant: “Draft a short reply that accepts Thursday’s meeting.”
- Fix the draft if needed, then send it yourself.
The prompt to copy
Organize my inbox. First show me the emails that are waiting for a reply from me, then suggest archiving the newsletters and notifications.
Alternatives to Shortwave
Superhuman Mail
If you are on Outlook, or if what you want most is a very fast, keyboard-driven email app.
Fyxer
If you want to keep Gmail or Outlook as they are and simply find reply drafts already waiting.
Gemini
If your company has Google Workspace: Gemini summarizes and drafts directly in Gmail.
Microsoft Copilot
If your company is on Microsoft 365: Copilot does this work in Outlook.
In the same family: email and calendar
Read next
Frequently asked questions about Shortwave
How much does Shortwave cost?
Free: $0; Business: $30 per user per month; Premier: $45 per user per month; Max: $120 per user per month. Prices checked on October 3, 2026 on the vendor’s official page.
Can you use Shortwave for free?
Yes. Yes. You can start without paying: the vendor says most of the sorting features are free. Your last 90 days of email are loaded. The assistant is there, with limited usage each day. Paid plans start with a 14-day trial.
What happens to my data with Shortwave?
Shortwave keeps a copy of your emails on Google Cloud servers and states that your data is never used to train its providers’ AI models.
What are the alternatives to Shortwave?
Superhuman Mail: If you are on Outlook, or if what you want most is a very fast, keyboard-driven email app. Fyxer: If you want to keep Gmail or Outlook as they are and simply find reply drafts already waiting. Gemini: If your company has Google Workspace: Gemini summarizes and drafts directly in Gmail. Microsoft Copilot: If your company is on Microsoft 365: Copilot does this work in Outlook.
Official pages consulted
Page checked on October 3, 2026. Brands are named to identify the tools. No affiliation.