EmailsDaily vs. Shortwave
Two approaches to email overload: Shortwave's Gmail-only AI client with standout search, and EmailsDaily's AI sorting into categories you define yourself, for connected Gmail and Outlook accounts.
Last updated: July 2026 · Product information is based on publicly available sources and may change.
| Data point | Shortwave | EmailsDaily |
|---|---|---|
| Product type | AI-native email client, Gmail and Google Workspace only | Connected-account AI sorting web app |
| Gmail / Outlook | Gmail and Google Workspace only, no Outlook, no IMAP | Connect Gmail, Outlook, or both |
| AI search | Standout natural-language search across years of email history | Inbox assistant search |
| AI organization | AI labels and filters | User-defined plain-English categories |
| Replaces your email client? | Yes, full client replacement | Web app you can use alongside Gmail and Outlook |
| Starting price | Reported around ~$14 / user / mo Pro; full AI on $30 / user / mo Business | Free tier; Pro $9 / mo; Business $24 / mo |
Shortwave is an AI-native email client built by former Google Inbox engineers, with the strongest AI search in this category and solid summarization and drafting. It has one hard wall: it works only with Gmail and Google Workspace. If any part of your work runs on Outlook or Microsoft 365, Shortwave is not an option at any price. EmailsDaily supports both Gmail and Outlook, and instead of asking you to switch email clients, it layers AI sorting on top of the inbox you already use.
What Shortwave does well
Shortwave's natural-language AI search stands out, letting you find messages across years of email history using plain questions instead of exact keywords. It pairs that with a full AI feature set, including summaries, drafting, filters, snooze, and todo-style workflows, in polished apps across web, desktop, iOS, and Android. For Gmail-only users whose biggest pain point is finding old email, it is a strong choice.
The main difference: Gmail-only client vs. Gmail and Outlook sorting layer
Shortwave requires a full client switch and works with Gmail and Google Workspace only; there is no Outlook or Microsoft 365 support, and no IMAP. Full AI capability also sits on the $30/user/mo Business tier, with usage quota-metered. EmailsDaily takes a different path: it connects to Gmail, Outlook, or both, without asking you to replace your email client, and its Pro plan is $9/month. If you need Outlook at any point, Shortwave cannot serve you; EmailsDaily can.
How EmailsDaily works
Connect your account
Sign in and connect Gmail, Outlook, or both. Your email stays with your current provider.
Describe your categories
Write categories in plain language, such as "client invoices" or "team updates," for whichever inbox needs sorting.
Sort the inbox
EmailsDaily sorts and prioritizes incoming email into those categories across both Gmail and Outlook, in one place.
Which fits your workflow?
Choose Shortwave if…
- You are entirely on Gmail or Google Workspace, with no Outlook or Microsoft 365 anywhere in your work.
- Searching across years of old email is your biggest pain point.
- You are happy to switch your primary email client to get the best AI search in the category.
- The $30/user/mo Business tier for full AI capability fits your budget.
Choose EmailsDaily if…
- You need Outlook, or a mix of Gmail and Outlook, which Shortwave cannot serve at any price.
- You want to keep using your existing email client instead of switching to a new one.
- You want triage-first AI sorting at $9/month instead of a client switch at $24 to $30 per user.
- You want categories you define yourself in plain English, not preset AI labels.
Pricing
Shortwave's pricing is reported as Pro around $14 per user per month for individuals, Business at $30 per user per month ($24 billed annually), Premier at $45, and Max higher; free plan availability is inconsistent across sources, so check shortwave.com/pricing directly for current figures. EmailsDaily offers a free tier, with Pro at $9 per month and Business at $24 per month.
Shortwave
Frequently asked questions
See your inbox organized by what matters.
Connect Gmail or Outlook and create your first plain-language categories.