# Circleback vs Shortwave

> Circleback: AI meeting notes, action items and automations that work with or without a bot
> Shortwave: AI email client for Gmail that searches, organizes, drafts and schedules from plain-language prompts

- Circleback profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/circleback
- Shortwave profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/shortwave
- Comparison page: https://finderatlas.com/compare/circleback-vs-shortwave
- Last reviewed: October 2026

## Verdict

Circleback and Shortwave are both AI Assistants tools. Both have a free plan or trial. Only Circleback is available on Web and CLI and offers an API.

### Choose Circleback if

- You want a tool built for Teams that want automatic meeting notes and CRM or task-tracker updates via bot-free recording.
- Bot-free desktop recording avoids a visible notetaker in client calls.
- Free plan includes API, MCP and CLI access and mobile apps.

### Choose Shortwave if

- You want a tool built for heavy Gmail users who want AI search, drafting and inbox triage inside the email client itself.
- AI search covers up to five years of email on Business and unlimited history on Premier and Max.
- Native apps on iOS, Android, Mac and Windows, with a 4.7 average rating on the App Store.

## Pricing

| | Circleback | Shortwave |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan or trial | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | $0 | $0 |

## Features

| Feature | Circleback | Shortwave |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AI Meeting Notes | Yes | Not listed |
| Action Items | Yes | Not listed |
| Bot-Free Recording | Yes | Not listed |
| Automations | Yes | Not listed |
| Ask Circleback | Yes | Not listed |
| Custom AI Insights | Yes | Not listed |
| Transcription | Yes | Not listed |
| Calendar Auto-Join | Yes | Not listed |
| Developer Access | Yes | Not listed |
| AI Assistant | Not listed | Yes |
| AI Search | Not listed | Yes |
| Write in Your Voice | Not listed | Yes |
| AI Filters | Not listed | Yes |
| Bundles and Split Inboxes | Not listed | Yes |
| AI Scheduling | Not listed | Yes |
| Team Collaboration | Not listed | Yes |
| Tracking and Reminders | Not listed | Yes |
| App Connections and MCP | Not listed | Yes |
| Privacy Controls | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

| Platform | Circleback | Shortwave |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | Yes | No |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | No |
| Browser Extension | No | No |
| CLI | Yes | No |

## Circleback strengths

- Bot-free desktop recording avoids a visible notetaker in client calls.
- Free plan includes API, MCP and CLI access and mobile apps.
- Broad integration list covering Slack, Notion, Linear, HubSpot, Salesforce and Zapier.
- Unlimited free viewers on Business, so non-participants do not need a seat.
- Releases page shows frequent updates, with entries in October 2026.

## Circleback limitations

- Free plan keeps only 30 days of meeting and recording history and 2 teams.
- Most integrations, including Notion, HubSpot and Salesforce, require Pro at $18 per user per month.
- SSO, SCIM and HIPAA compliance are limited to the Enterprise plan.
- The desktop app covers macOS and Windows only; no Linux app was found.

## Shortwave strengths

- AI search covers up to five years of email on Business and unlimited history on Premier and Max.
- Native apps on iOS, Android, Mac and Windows, with a 4.7 average rating on the App Store.
- Team features such as shared threads, comments and assignments sit inside the inbox.
- AI connects to outside tools including Notion, HubSpot, GitHub and MCP servers.
- Per-plan model tiers let users pay for stronger models only when needed.

## Shortwave limitations

- Paid plans are priced per seat from $30 (Business) to $120 (Max), higher than many email clients.
- Built around Gmail; support for other providers is limited or unclear.
- AI usage is capped by plan, with Business allowing roughly 150-300 Standard requests per day.
- The free tier is not clearly documented on the official pricing page.

## FAQ

**Is Circleback better than Shortwave?**

It depends on your workflow. Circleback is built for Teams that want automatic meeting notes and CRM or task-tracker updates via bot-free recording. Shortwave is built for heavy Gmail users who want AI search, drafting and inbox triage inside the email client itself.

**What are the key feature differences between Circleback and Shortwave?**

Circleback: AI meeting notes, action items and automations that work with or without a bot. Shortwave: AI email client for Gmail that searches, organizes, drafts and schedules from plain-language prompts.

**Does Circleback or Shortwave have a free plan?**

Yes, both do. Circleback is freemium and Shortwave is freemium, and each has a free plan or trial.

**Which is cheaper, Circleback or Shortwave?**

Both can be used for free. Paid plans differ in limits and features, so compare the tiers in the pricing table above.