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Head to head · 2026

MailMaestro vs Shortwave

Pricing, free plans, ratings, features, pros and cons, side by side. Where one comes out ahead, we mark it.

MailMaestro

AI email assistant that drafts, summarizes, and manages messages directly inside Outlook and Gmail

4.1$12/mo

Visit MailMaestro (opens MailMaestro in a new tab)

Shortwave

An AI-native email client built by former Google engineers

4.4$7/mo

Visit Shortwave (opens Shortwave in a new tab)

Who comes out ahead

Based only on the facts in our directory. The right pick still depends on the job you need done.

  • Lower starting price

    Shortwave

    From $7/mo against from $12/mo

  • Free plan

    Tie

    Both have one

  • Higher rating

    Shortwave

    4.1 against 4.4

  • Same job?

    Yes

    Both are Productivity tools

Side by side

Compared onMailMaestroShortwave
Our rating4.14.4Better
Starts at$12/mo$7/moBetter
Free planYesYes
CategoryProductivityProductivity
PlansFrom $12/moFrom $7/mo
Key features
  • AI email drafting with three variation options per prompt
  • Automatic thread summarization
  • Context-aware reply suggestions
  • Action item and deadline detection
  • Smart labeling and priority tagging
  • AI-native email client built from scratch
  • AI-powered search and thread summarization
  • Built by former Google engineers
  • Free tier for standard use
  • Operating since 2020
Pros
  • Free tier available with no credit card required
  • Native Outlook and Gmail integration avoids switching tools
  • Highly rated on both the Microsoft Outlook store and Chrome Web Store
  • Genuinely rebuilt email experience, not a plugin on a traditional client
  • Strong technical pedigree from experienced former Google engineers
  • Free tier available for standard use
Cons
  • Full feature depth, including advanced summarization, concentrates in the paid Pro tier
  • Per-seat pricing adds up for larger sales or support teams
  • Companion products TeamsMaestro and Maestro Duo are separate subscriptions
  • More features require a paid plan
  • Switching email clients entirely is a bigger commitment than adding a plugin
  • Smaller ecosystem than established mainstream email clients
CompanyMaestro Labs, founded 2023Shortwave Communications, Inc., founded 2020

Prices come from each vendor's pricing page, last checked 20260718. Check the vendor before you buy.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Is MailMaestro better than Shortwave?

In our reviews MailMaestro scores 4.1 and Shortwave scores 4.4. The better pick depends on the job. MailMaestro: AI email assistant that drafts, summarizes, and manages messages directly inside Outlook and Gmail. Shortwave: An AI-native email client built by former Google engineers.

Which is cheaper, MailMaestro or Shortwave?

Shortwave has the lower starting price: from $12/mo for MailMaestro and from $7/mo for Shortwave.

Do MailMaestro and Shortwave have free plans?

Yes, both have a free plan.

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