Writing

Shortwave AI

AI-native email client that summarizes and drafts for you

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★4.4ratingPricing · Freemium from $18/moStable
The FalcoScan Intel PanelShortwave AI · Writing
Data updated 2 November 2026
Opportunity
Low
Band
Saturation
Contested
Band
Wrapper risk
Low
Band
Momentum
Stable
Market trend
Rating
4.4
of 5 · FalcoScan rating

Writing AI has no moat to speak of on average, from the moat scores of its rated products. What protects Writing AI tools, and the widest moats

The Brief

What Shortwave AI does

Shortwave is a modern AI email client that summarizes threads, drafts replies, and helps you reach inbox zero faster. Built by ex-Google engineers — it brings the best of AI directly into your email workflow.

How Shortwave AI compares with its closest alternatives

3 of the 5 closest alternatives have a free plan, as Shortwave AI does. Among the 5 that list a starting price, the cheapest is Notion AI at $10 a month and the median is $12. Shortwave AI starts at $18 a month, above that median. 1 of the 5 offers an API; FalcoScan's records show none for Shortwave AI. Shortwave AI offers a web app and a mobile app. Of the alternatives, 4 offer a web app and 3 offer a mobile app. Shortwave AI was founded in 2020; the alternatives were founded between 2012 and 2022, 3 of them earlier. Shortwave AI is based in San Francisco, United States; 2 of the 3 alternatives with a known headquarters are in the United States too, and the others in Israel.

Market position · Writing

How Shortwave AI compares in Writing

Shortwave AI has low opportunity and sits in the middle third of 329 live Writing tools on FalcoScan. Across Writing, the average opportunity score is 39.5 and the average saturation score 64.8. FalcoScan rates Shortwave AI's own market position as contested. 23 of the 329 operating Writing tools have hot momentum, and FalcoScan has recorded 20 shutdowns in the category.

Shortwave AI compared with its closest alternatives
ProductOpportunitySaturationPricingPricing fromFree planAPIPlatformsMomentum
Shortwave AIFounded 2020 · San Francisco, United StatesLowContestedFreemium$18/moYesNoWeb, MobileStable
Superhuman AIFounded 2014 · San Francisco, United StatesLowContestedPaid$30/moNoNoWeb, Mobile, DesktopStable
Notion AIFounded 2016 · San Francisco, United StatesLowCrowdedFreemium$10/moYesYesWeb, Mobile, DesktopRising
Merlin AIFounded 2022LowCrowdedFreemium$19/moYesNoWeb, ExtensionRising
Monday AIFounded 2012 · Tel Aviv, IsraelLowContestedPaid$12/moNoNoWeb, MobileRising
ToneBirdLowContestedFreemium$10/moYesNoDesktopStable

Exact opportunity and saturation scores for all 6 of these, and where each ranks in Writing.

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What it ships with

Capabilities & who uses it

The capabilities Shortwave AI exposes to builders and the verticals it currently serves.

AI Capabilities
SummarizationText GenerationSmart Replies
Industry Verticals
TechnologyConsulting
Tagged

Shortwave AI shows up when builders search for these

email-clientsummarizationdraftingproductivityinbox-zero
Similar tools · Writing

Alternatives to Shortwave AI

Products still running that do the same job, from the writing market and related ones, closest match first.

See the Writing market
Writing
Superhuman AI

The fastest email client on earth with built-in AI writing

★ 4.6Opportunity Low
Paid
Writing
Notion AI

AI writing built right into your workspace

★ 4.5Opportunity Low
Freemium
Writing
Merlin AI

ChatGPT superpowers on every website you visit

★ 4.3Opportunity Low
Freemium
Writing
Monday AI

AI writing built into your project management workflow

★ 4.4Opportunity Low
Paid
Writing
ToneBird

Desktop assistant that drafts replies using your history with each person

Opportunity Low
Freemium
Writing
Notion AI Writer

AI draft and edit inside any Notion page

★ 4.5Opportunity Moderate
Paid
Featured in
Questions

Shortwave AI: common questions

Is Shortwave AI free?

Shortwave AI has a free tier, with paid plans from $18 a month.

What are the best alternatives to Shortwave AI?

The closest alternatives to Shortwave AI that are still running, matched on the AI capabilities, uses and audience they share, are Superhuman AI, Notion AI, Merlin AI, Monday AI, and ToneBird.

Is Shortwave AI still running?

Yes. As of 2 November 2026, FalcoScan lists Shortwave AI as operating at shortwave.com.

Where is Shortwave AI based?

Shortwave AI is headquartered in San Francisco, United States.

Does Shortwave AI have an API?

FalcoScan's records show no public API for Shortwave AI.

Who is Shortwave AI for?

Shortwave AI is built for professionals and knowledge workers.

How do I sign in to Shortwave AI?

Sign in on Shortwave AI's own website, shortwave.com. FalcoScan reviews Shortwave AI but does not run its accounts, so logins, passwords and billing are handled by Shortwave AI directly.

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