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Head-to-head · AI Email Assistants

Mailbutler Smart Assistant vs Shortwave

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score Mailbutler Smart Assistant #3 in AI Email Assistants 8.6/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Mailbutler
Shortwave #6 in AI Email Assistants 8.3/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Shortwave

Mailbutler Smart Assistant leads on 1 check, Shortwave on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMailbutler Smart Assistant · 8.6/10
  • Lowest starting priceMailbutler Smart Assistant · $7/user/mo
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialboth
  • Most featuresMailbutler Smart Assistant · 4 of 5

Mailbutler Smart Assistant scores higher on our rubric for ai email assistants: 8.6 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

Mailbutler Smart Assistant is cheaper to start at $7/user/mo against $30/user/mo.

Mailbutler Smart Assistant is the better fit for affordable email productivity across major platforms. Shortwave is the better fit for AI Gmail workflows with team collaboration.

  • Mailbutler Smart Assistant fits best

    Affordable email productivity across major platforms

  • Shortwave fits best

    AI Gmail workflows with team collaboration

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Mailbutler Smart Assistant 8.6/10 Visit ↗ Shortwave 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 8.3
Ranking #3 in AI Email Assistants #6 in AI Email Assistants
Best for Affordable email productivity across major platforms AI Gmail workflows with team collaboration
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $7/user/mo (best) $30/seat/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 14 days 14 days
Free trial length 14 days 14 days · no card needed
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Integrations 5 integrations 7 integrations
Features Mailbutler Smart Assistant 4/5 · Shortwave 0/5
Inbox triage ✓ (best) Not checked yet
AI reply drafting ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Automatic sending — Not checked yet
Thread summaries ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Follow-up actions ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Email platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Drafts keyword-based messages and context-aware replies
  • Summarizes email and identifies actionable tasks
  • Works with Apple Mail, Gmail, and Microsoft Outlook
  • Combines AI search, writing, autocomplete, summaries, and attachment analysis
  • Supports inbox organization, scheduling, calendar tools, and multiple accounts
  • Team features include thread sharing, comments, and assignments
Cons
  • Smart Assistant requires Smart or Business after the 14-day trial
  • Starter emails carry a visible Mailbutler watermark
  • No automatic email sending
  • Direct sign-in requires Gmail or Google Workspace accounts
  • Other providers generally require forwarding through Gmail
  • Paid monthly plans start at $30 per seat
Our verdict

Mailbutler Smart Assistant adds AI drafting, replies, summaries, and task detection to an email productivity toolkit. It is aimed at people who want help composing and organizing email across Apple Mail, Gmail, or Microsoft Outlook,…

Read the review →

Shortwave is an AI-powered email client built for Gmail and Google Workspace accounts, serving individuals and teams that want email organization, AI assistance, and collaboration in one workflow. Its capabilities include AI-powered search…

Read the review →
  1. Mailbutler Smart AssistantAI Email Assistants 8.6Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. ShortwaveAI Email Assistants 8.3Free plan · 14-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Mailbutler Smart Assistant — where it wins

    • Drafts keyword-based messages and context-aware replies
    • Summarizes email and identifies actionable tasks
    • Works with Apple Mail, Gmail, and Microsoft Outlook

    Where it doesn't

    • Smart Assistant requires Smart or Business after the 14-day trial
    • Starter emails carry a visible Mailbutler watermark
    • No automatic email sending

  • Shortwave — where it wins

    • Combines AI search, writing, autocomplete, summaries, and attachment analysis
    • Supports inbox organization, scheduling, calendar tools, and multiple accounts
    • Team features include thread sharing, comments, and assignments

    Where it doesn't

    • Direct sign-in requires Gmail or Google Workspace accounts
    • Other providers generally require forwarding through Gmail
    • Paid monthly plans start at $30 per seat
  • Mailbutler Smart Assistant8.6/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A broad email toolkit with AI assistance on Smart and Business plans.

    Visit MailbutlerFull verdict →
  • Shortwave8.3/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    An AI-focused Gmail client with team workflows and a free plan; paid tiers start at $30 per seat monthly.

    Visit ShortwaveFull verdict →

More comparisons

All AI email assistants comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update