Shortwave is the most AI-native email client around, but it is Gmail-only and replaces your inbox. The Alkmist Inbox Agent works in both Outlook and Gmail, chases stalled follow-ups, and groups email into projects.
Shortwave and the Alkmist Inbox Agent both lean hard on AI, but Shortwave is a Gmail-only client you switch to, with standout AI search. The Alkmist Inbox Agent layers onto both Outlook and Gmail, ranks the few emails that need you, chases stalled follow-ups, and groups email into projects with one Inbox Health score. Pick Shortwave if you are Gmail-only and want the most AI-native client. Pick Alkmist if you need Outlook, or want the work organised after triage.
How the two compare on the things professionals actually ask about.
| Capability | Alkmist Inbox Agent | Shortwave |
|---|---|---|
| Works in Outlook & Gmail | Both, read as one inbox |
Gmail only |
| Works alongside your inbox (no client switch) | Layers on your inbox |
Replaces your client |
| Drafts replies in your voice | Four named tones |
Ghostwriter drafts |
| AI search across your inbox | Search within email |
Best-in-class, signature |
| Ranks the whole inbox by what needs you | 147 down to the 5 that matter |
AI bundles & categories |
| Chases stalled follow-ups automatically | Queues the chase, you pick the tone |
Not offered |
| Projects view (email, docs, tasks) | Auto-grouped per project |
Thread bundles only |
| Inbox Health score | One number, tracked daily |
Not offered |
| Built-in assistant (ask your inbox) | Ask Pidgy, voice coming soon |
AI assistant |
| Never sends without your click | You always hit send |
Drafts, you send |
| EU data residency | EU-hosted, never trains |
US-hosted |
| Pricing | Early access via waitlist |
Free tier; ~$14-24/mo |
The table shows what each does. Here is why the differences matter.
Shortwave does not support Outlook or IMAP. If any part of your work lives in Outlook, it is a hard stop.
The Alkmist Inbox Agent reads Outlook and Gmail as one inbox, with a single ranked list across both. For Microsoft users or mixed stacks, that is the difference.
Shortwave is brilliant at finding and drafting, but it does not watch your threads for the ones that stalled, and it does not turn email into tasks or projects.
Pidgy chases stalled follow-ups on its own, groups email into projects, and rolls it into one Inbox Health score, so nothing slips after triage.
Built by ex-Google Inbox engineers, Shortwave has the most polished AI-native experience and the best AI search in the category. If you are Gmail-only, it is a joy.
The Alkmist Inbox Agent searches your email, but Shortwave's AI search is its signature. If that is your main need and Gmail is your only inbox, Shortwave is a strong pick.
Shortwave replaces your client, and its thread-bundle interface takes a few days to adjust to.
The Alkmist Inbox Agent works on top of your existing inbox, so you keep Outlook or Gmail exactly as they are.
Both are good tools. They solve different problems.
More ways the Alkmist Inbox Agent stacks up.
The Alkmist Inbox Agent reads Outlook and Gmail, hands you the five that need you, and chases the rest. Join the waitlist for early access.
