Shortwave vs Superhuman: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Shortwave and Superhuman side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Shortwave leads on a free plan; Superhuman leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Shortwave
Automate your email with AI for enhanced productivity and inbox management.
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
Superhuman
Process email at blazing speed with AI summaries and shortcuts
Best for you if:
- • You want incredibly fast
| At a Glance | Shortwave | Superhuman |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $30/seat/mo, billed monthly Business plan | From $30/mo, billed monthly Starter plan |
Category | Productivity Communication | Productivity Email |
Rating | 4.4/5 G2 4.4 68 reviews | 4.7/5 G2 4.7 · Capterra 4.8 15,892 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose Shortwave or Superhuman?
Choose Shortwave if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want AI email client
- You want good for productivity
Choose Superhuman if
- You want incredibly fast
- You want great shortcuts
In-Depth Analysis
Shortwave
Automate your email with AI for enhanced productivity and inbox management.
Strengths
- Pro: AI email client
- Pro: Good for productivity
- Pro: Gmail integration
- Pro: Active development
- Pro: Good features
Weaknesses
- Con: Gmail only
- Con: Expensive premium
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Feature gaps
- Con: Better alternatives exist
Key features
Superhuman
Process email at blazing speed with AI summaries and shortcuts
Superhuman's pricing is on the expensive side compared to standard email clients, with the Starter tier at $30/month and Business at $40/month.
Strengths
- Pro: Incredibly fast
- Pro: Great shortcuts
- Pro: AI assistance
Weaknesses
- Con: Very expensive
- Con: Gmail only
Key features
Plans and prices: Shortwave vs Superhuman
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Shortwave |
| shortwave.com/pricing read Nov 2, 2026 |
| Superhuman |
| superhuman.com/pricing read Oct 3, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Shortwave pricing and Superhuman pricing.
Key Takeaways
Shortwave
- Has a free plan
Superhuman
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 4.4/5
What the data shows
On the data below, Shortwave leads on a free plan; Superhuman leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Superhuman has the higher user rating (4.4/5 from 68 reviews for Shortwave, 4.7/5 from 15,892 reviews for Superhuman).
- Both start at the same entry price ($30/seat/mo, billed monthly).
- Only Shortwave has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Shortwave and Superhuman compare in 2026?
On the data below, Shortwave leads on a free plan; Superhuman leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Superhuman has the higher user rating (4.4/5 from 68 reviews for Shortwave, 4.7/5 from 15,892 reviews for Superhuman). Both start at the same entry price ($30/seat/mo, billed monthly). Only Shortwave has a free plan.
What are Shortwave and Superhuman used for?
Shortwave: Automate your email with AI for enhanced productivity and inbox management. Superhuman: Process email at blazing speed with AI summaries and shortcuts.
What does Shortwave cost vs Superhuman?
Shortwave's cheapest paid plan is Business at $30/seat/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Superhuman's cheapest paid plan is Starter at $30/mo, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 2, 2026.
What's the main difference between Shortwave and Superhuman?
Shortwave's main strength: AI email client. Superhuman's main strength: incredibly fast.