HEY vs Shortwave
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both HEY and Shortwave are credible productivity collaboration tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose HEY if you want a longer free trial (14 days). Email that works for you.
Choose Shortwave if you'd rather have a lower starting price (free – $7/mo), a free plan to start on and a higher overall rating (4.5/5). AI email client for Gmail.
HEY vs Shortwave: side by side
| Dimension | HEY | Shortwave |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From $8.25/mo | Free – $7/moWinner |
| Free plan | No | YesWinner |
| Free trial | 14 daysWinner | — |
| Pricing model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Best for | Individuals | Professionals |
| Platforms | Web, Mac, Windows, Ios, Android | Web, Mac, Ios, Android |
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.5/5Winner |
HEY key facts
- Vendor
- 37signals
- Pricing
- Subscription — From $8.25/mo
- Free tier
- Free trial (14 days)
- Platforms
- Web, Mac, Windows, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Individuals
- Editor rating
- 4.3 / 5
- Founded
- 2020
- Headquarters
- Chicago, IL, USA
Shortwave key facts
- Vendor
- Shortwave
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $7/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Mac, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Professionals
- Editor rating
- 4.5 / 5
- Founded
- 2020
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, CA, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is HEY better than Shortwave?
Neither is universally better — Shortwave edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is HEY or Shortwave cheaper?
Shortwave is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $7/mo. HEY starts at from $8.25/mo; Shortwave starts at free – $7/mo.
Can HEY replace Shortwave?
Yes for most teams — both are productivity collaboration tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.