Shortwave alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Shortwave: gmail and Google Workspace only, and per-seat pricing is high for individuals. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Shortwave, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Superhuman Mail currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	HEY	Paid	No	Web, macOS, Windows +3	5 of 5	55.3

1. HEYTop pick
Best for: People who want to opt in to who can email them and enjoy an opinionated workflow
PaidWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
55.3
score / 100
Why switch from Shortwave
A different way to tame the inbox, using a screener rather than AI.
Pros
Screener stops unwanted first-time senders
Blocks spy pixels and separates newsletters and receipts
Apps on every platform including Linux
Cons
No IMAP, so you must use HEY's own apps
Opinionated design that some people find restrictive
No free plan after the trial
Visit HEY Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.363
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.1585
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is HEY a good Shortwave alternative?
Verified facts
5 of 5 verified
HEY for You price
$99 per year
Checked Oct 25, 2026hey.com(opens source in a new tab)
Free trial
30 days
Checked Oct 25, 2026hey.com(opens source in a new tab)
HEY for Domains price
$12 per user/month
Checked Oct 25, 2026hey.com(opens source in a new tab)
Owner
37signals
Checked Oct 25, 2026hey.com(opens source in a new tab)
Screener
Yes
Checked Oct 25, 2026hey.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Shortwave alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Best Shortwave alternative for most people

Superhuman Mail

Similar premium AI inbox that also supports Outlook accounts.

Best Shortwave alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Spark

AI features and team inboxes with a free plan and any IMAP account.

Best Shortwave alternative for Mac

Mimestream

A cheaper, native Mac client for Gmail without the heavy AI focus.

Best Shortwave alternative for Windows

HEY

A different way to tame the inbox, using a screener rather than AI.

Best Shortwave alternative for Linux

HEY

A different way to tame the inbox, using a screener rather than AI.

Best Shortwave alternative for iPhone and Android

Gmail

Gmail itself now includes Gemini summaries and drafting at no extra client cost.

Best Shortwave alternative for working in the browser

Superhuman Mail

Similar premium AI inbox that also supports Outlook accounts.

Shortwave alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Shortwave?

Superhuman Mail ranks first right now. Similar premium AI inbox that also supports Outlook accounts. Mimestream and Spark follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Shortwave?

Yes. Spark (free plan + paid) and Gmail (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Shortwave?

None of the 5 alternatives in this list is open source.

Which Shortwave alternatives work on Linux?

HEY runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Shortwave?

The complaints we hear most: gmail and Google Workspace only; per-seat pricing is high for individuals; relies heavily on AI processing of your mail.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Shortwave, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.