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Superhuman vs Shortwave

September 16, 2025 No comments yet

Superhuman vs Shortwave: Which Email Client Should You Choose in 2025?

Choosing the right email client can transform your productivity. Two popular options dominate the premium email space: Superhuman and Shortwave.

Both promise to revolutionize how you handle email. But which one delivers better value for your money?

Let’s dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.

If you want an alternative that works along with your existing EmailAccounts (Gmail/Outlook) > ActorDo is the best alternative

What Are Superhuman and Shortwave?

Superhuman: The Speed-Focused Powerhouse

Superhuman bills itself as “the fastest email experience ever made.” It’s designed for professionals who live in their inbox and need lightning-fast email processing.

Key selling points:

  • Keyboard shortcuts for everything
  • Split inbox feature
  • Read receipts and tracking
  • Scheduled sending
  • AI-powered writing assistance

Shortwave: The AI-Native Challenger

Shortwave takes a different approach. It’s built from the ground up with AI integration, focusing on intelligent email management rather than just speed.

Key selling points:

  • Advanced AI email sorting
  • Smart compose and summarization
  • Team collaboration features
  • Bundle organization
  • Natural language search

Pricing Comparison

This is where the two apps differ dramatically.

Superhuman Pricing

Superhuman charges $30 per month for its standard plan, with annual billing at $300/year. They also offer a Business plan at $40/month and Enterprise pricing available on request.

Students get a discount at $10 per month.

Shortwave Pricing

Shortwave offers a free plan with core features, while paid plans start at $9 per month per connected Gmail account. They have multiple tiers going up to $24 for advanced business features.

Winner: Shortwave – Significantly cheaper with a functional free tier.

Core Features Face-Off

Speed and Performance

Superhuman excels here. Every action is optimized for speed. Keyboard shortcuts let you process emails without touching your mouse. The interface loads instantly.

Shortwave is fast but not as obsessively speed-focused. It prioritizes intelligent automation over raw speed.

Winner: Superhuman – If speed is your top priority.

AI Capabilities

Superhuman recently added AI features for writing assistance and email summarization. These feel like add-ons to the core speed-focused experience.

Shortwave was built AI-first. It uses “Agentic AI that helps you organize, write, search, schedule, and more with just a prompt.” The AI integration feels more natural and comprehensive.

Winner: Shortwave – Superior AI integration across all features.

Email Organization

Superhuman uses a split inbox approach. You can separate important emails from newsletters and notifications. The system is clean but relatively simple.

Shortwave uses AI-powered bundles to automatically group related emails. It learns your patterns and organizes accordingly without manual setup.

Winner: Shortwave – Smarter, automated organization.

Learning Curve

Superhuman requires dedication to learn. The keyboard shortcuts and unique workflow take time to master. They provide onboarding, but expect a steeper learning curve.

Shortwave is more intuitive. The AI handles complexity behind the scenes, making it easier for new users to get productive quickly.

Winner: Shortwave – More user-friendly for beginners.

Platform Support

Superhuman

  • Web app
  • Mac app
  • iOS app
  • Gmail and Outlook support

Shortwave

  • Web app (primary)
  • Gmail integration
  • Limited mobile options

Winner: Superhuman – Better platform coverage, especially for Mac and mobile users.

Who Should Choose Superhuman?

Choose Superhuman if you:

  • Process 100+ emails daily
  • Love keyboard shortcuts
  • Need Outlook support
  • Want a dedicated Mac app
  • Don’t mind paying premium prices
  • Prefer speed over AI automation

Who Should Choose Shortwave?

Choose Shortwave if you:

  • Want smart AI assistance
  • Prefer automated organization
  • Need team collaboration features
  • Want to try before buying (free plan)
  • Value cost-effectiveness
  • Like modern, intuitive interfaces

The Verdict

According to recent comparisons, “Shortwave offers a superior email experience in nearly every aspect. Its AI is smarter, it’s easier to learn, it’s cheaper, and it keeps your inbox clean with less effort.”

For most users, Shortwave wins. It offers better value, smarter features, and easier adoption.

Superhuman remains the choice for speed demons who live in email and have the budget for premium productivity tools.

Final Recommendation

Start with Shortwave’s free plan. Test the AI features and see if the organization style fits your workflow.

If you find yourself wanting more speed-focused features or need Outlook support, then consider upgrading to Superhuman’s paid tier.

Both apps will make you more productive than standard email clients. The choice comes down to your priorities: AI-powered intelligence (Shortwave) or raw speed and power (Superhuman).

Have you tried either of these email clients? What’s your experience been like? Let us know in the comments below.

Also don’t forget that ActorDo AI Assistant works inside your existing email clients to help you get things done.

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