Best Shortwave alternatives in 2026
These are the 4 closest tools to Shortwave that we track, ordered by what they cost to start. Each entry says how its pricing differs from Shortwave's — based on the numbers we hold, not on who pays us. We do not publish a quality score, because we do not have one we can stand behind.
Of the 4 alternatives on this page, 2 publish a price we could verify. The cheapest paid step among them is Superhuman at $12/user/mo billed annually, while Shortwave starts paid at $30/user/mo. 2 of them publish a free plan (Superhuman, Spark Mail).
Why people leave Shortwave
- No free plan at any level
- Daily AI usage is a quota, not unlimited
- Entry price is high for a mail client
These are the drawbacks listed in our own Shortwave review — not complaints we invented for this page.
- HEY Email
Rethink your email.
vs Shortwave: cheaper to start ($8.25/mo vs $30/user/mo).
Why switch to HEY Email
- Total Privacy: Automatically blocks all tracking pixels used by marketers.
- Screening: No more spam or unwanted emails ever—you approve every new sender.
What you give up
- Subscription Only: There is no free version of HEY; it is a premium service.
Best for: Privacy Seekers and Busy Professionals who hate email.
- Superhuman
Fast keyboard-first email client.
vs Shortwave: cheaper to start ($12/user/mo billed annually vs $30/user/mo).
First paid step: Pro at $12/user/mo billed annually
Why switch to Superhuman
- Very fast keyboard workflow
- Onboarding session teaches the shortcuts
What you give up
- Expensive per user for an email client
Best for: People whose job is largely email and who value minutes saved.
- Proton Mail
Encrypted email from Switzerland.
vs Shortwave: priced differently (Free tier vs $30/user/mo).
Why switch to Proton Mail
- Zero-access encryption on every plan including free
- Unlimited hide-my-email aliases on the top tier
What you give up
- Free tier is 1 GB and one address
Best for: Privacy-focused individuals who want encrypted mail without self-hosting.
- Spark Mail
Email client with team features.
vs Shortwave: cheaper to start ($20/user/mo billed monthly vs $30/user/mo).
First paid step: Pro at $20/user/mo billed monthly
Why switch to Spark Mail
- Free tier is a fully usable client with unlimited accounts
- Annual billing cuts the price by roughly 17%
What you give up
- AI meeting notes are capped at 40 a month on Plus
Best for: Individuals and client-facing teams who live in a shared inbox.
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