kitio.aiMissive vs Shortwave
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Missive has the lower starting price: about $18 a month, against $30 for Shortwave.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Shared inboxes
- Internal comments
- AI drafts and summaries
- Multi-channel messages
- Automation rules
- AI email search
- Reply drafting
- Bundles and reminders
- Team inboxes
- Agent tasks
| Feature | Missive | Shortwave |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Shared team inbox for email, SMS and chat with AI assistance | AI-first email client for Gmail with search and agent features |
| Category | Productivity | Productivity |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free trial |
| Starting price | $18/mo | $30/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | No, 14-day trial |
| Made by | Missive | Shortwave |
| Based in | Canada | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
|
Pricing compared
Missive has the lower starting price: about $18 a month, against $30 for Shortwave.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
3 plans
Starter
$18/mo
- Per user
- Email, SMS, social accounts
- Team spaces and inboxes
- Conversations and tasks
Productive
$30/mo
- Per user
- Everything in Starter
- API and MCP access
- 30-day free trial
Business
$45/mo
- Per user
- Everything in Productive
- Live sessions with experts
3 plans
Business
$30/mo
- Per seat
- Standard intelligence
- 5 years AI search history
- 3 AI-powered filters
Premier
$45/mo
- Per seat
- Advanced intelligence, 2x AI usage
- Unlimited AI search history
- 10 AI-powered filters
Max
$120/mo
- Per seat
- Expert intelligence, 6x AI usage
- 50 AI-powered filters
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Missive
- Great for team email
- Many channels in one place
- Flexible rules
- Free plan has short history
- Not built for solo users
Shortwave
- Excellent AI search over email
- Clean, fast interface
- Strong team features
- Gmail only
- No permanent free plan
Which one should you choose?
Choose Missive if you want:
- Great for team email
- Many channels in one place
- Flexible rules
Watch out: free plan has short history.
Choose Shortwave if you want:
- Excellent AI search over email
- Clean, fast interface
- Strong team features
Watch out: gmail only.
Missive vs Shortwave FAQ
What is the difference between Missive and Shortwave?
Missive: Shared team inbox for email, SMS and chat with AI assistance. Shortwave: AI-first email client for Gmail with search and agent features. Both are productivity tools.
Is Missive or Shortwave cheaper?
Missive has the lower starting price: about $18 a month, against $30 for Shortwave.
Do Missive and Shortwave have free plans?
Missive: Yes. Shortwave: No, 14-day trial.
Who makes Missive?
Missive is made by Missive, based in Canada.
Who makes Shortwave?
Shortwave is made by Shortwave, based in United States.
Which should I choose, Missive or Shortwave?
Choose Missive if you value great for team email and many channels in one place. Choose Shortwave if you value excellent ai search over email and clean, fast interface.