Mailient vs Shortwave
Shortwave and Mailient both work with Gmail. Shortwave is an AI-first email client: an assistant, Ghostwriter drafting that learns from your past sent emails, AI search and AI filters you write in plain English. Mailient is an AI inbox assistant that picks out what needs a decision in your Gmail, prepares drafts, and schedules meetings after you confirm.
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Choose Shortwave if you want an AI-first email client with strong AI search and your own plain-English automations. Choose Mailient if you want your Gmail sorted by what needs a decision, with scheduling built in and no rules to write.
| Question | Mailient | Shortwave |
|---|---|---|
| Works on your existing Gmail? | Yes — connects to your Gmail account with Google OAuthMailient facts · checked | Yes — Gmail and Google Workspace, in Shortwave's own appshortwave.com · checked |
| Works without being prompted? | Partly — picks out what needs a decision when you open Mailient; drafts when you askMailient facts · checked | Partly — AI filters act on incoming mail and can trigger drafts; the assistant works when askedshortwave.com · checked |
| Approval before anything sends? | By default — every email waits for your approval and meetings need your confirmation; autonomous sending only if you switch it on for an agent or contactMailient facts · checked | AI drafts wait for you to send; check any automations you set upshortwave.com · checked |
| How are replies drafted? | On request, shaped by a voice profile built from a sample of your sent mail; you edit and approveMailient facts · checked | Ghostwriter drafts in your voice, learned from your past sent emailsshortwave.com · checked |
| Price (as last checked) | $8.99/week, $29/month, $199/year or $499 lifetime; 3-day trial on monthly (card required)Mailient facts · checked | Free to start; paid plans per seat. Published 2026 figures conflictshortwave.com · checked |
| Best for | Founders on Gmail who want to see only what needs a decisionMailient facts · checked | Gmail users who want an AI-first client with strong search and their own automationsshortwave.com · checked |
What is the main difference between Mailient and Shortwave?
Shortwave is an email client: you move your daily email work into its app and use AI as you go, including rules you write yourself. Mailient is an inbox assistant with a fixed job: it sorts your Gmail into what needs a decision, prepares drafts, and schedules meetings after you confirm.
When is Shortwave the better choice?
Shortwave is the better choice if you want an AI-first email client, AI search across your mail, and plain-English automations. Its AI filters can label, archive or draft for you based on rules you describe.
When is Mailient the better choice?
Mailient is the better choice if you'd rather not build rules. Its Today view picks out the emails that need a decision and the threads that went quiet, it schedules meetings on Google Calendar with Meet links after you confirm, and by default it sends nothing until you approve.
How does Mailient pricing compare with Shortwave?
Mailient costs $29 per month, $8.99 per week, $199 per year, or $499 once, with a 3-day trial on the monthly plan. Shortwave is free to start and has per-seat paid plans; published figures for its 2026 tiers disagree, so check shortwave.com/pricing for current prices.
Try Mailient on your Gmail.
The monthly plan starts with a 3-day free trial (card required). By default, nothing sends without your approval.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Shortwave learn my writing style?
- Yes. Shortwave says its Ghostwriter learns from your past sent emails. Mailient also builds a writing-voice profile, from a sample of your recent sent emails, and you edit drafts before sending.
- Does Mailient replace Gmail?
- No. Mailient connects to your existing Gmail account and your mailbox stays in Gmail.
- Does either tool send email automatically?
- Mailient does not send without your approval unless you switch on autonomous sending yourself. Shortwave's AI drafts wait for you to send; check any automations you set up yourself.
Sources
Plans and prices change often, so every cell in the table above shows its source and when it was last checked. Confirm current prices on Shortwave's pricing page. Spotted something out of date? Tell us through the contact page.