# Fireflies.ai vs Shortwave

> Fireflies.ai: AI notetaker that records, transcribes and summarizes your meetings across every major call platform
> Shortwave: AI email client for Gmail that searches, organizes, drafts and schedules from plain-language prompts

- Fireflies.ai profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/fireflies
- Shortwave profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/shortwave
- Comparison page: https://finderatlas.com/compare/fireflies-vs-shortwave
- Last reviewed: October 2026

## Verdict

Fireflies.ai is listed under Audio & Speech AI and Shortwave under AI Assistants. Fireflies.ai scores higher in FinderAtlas's editorial review (8.3 vs 8.1 out of 10), led by ease of use and feature depth. Both have a free plan or trial. Only Fireflies.ai is available on Web and Chrome Extension and offers an API. Only Shortwave is available on Windows and macOS.

### Choose Fireflies.ai if

- You want a tool built for Teams that want automatic meeting records and CRM-ready notes across many call platforms.
- Permanent free tier with unlimited transcription and 100+ language support.
- Works across Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and other platforms, plus file uploads.

### 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

| | Fireflies.ai | Shortwave |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan or trial | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | $0 | $0 |

## Features

| Feature | Fireflies.ai | Shortwave |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AI Notetaker Bot | Yes | Not listed |
| AI Summaries and Action Items | Yes | Not listed |
| AskFred Assistant | Yes | Not listed |
| Multilingual Transcription | Yes | Not listed |
| Conversation Intelligence | Yes | Not listed |
| Search and Soundbites | Yes | Not listed |
| AI Skills and Apps | Yes | Not listed |
| Integrations and MCP Server | Yes | Not listed |
| Chrome Extension and Uploads | 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 | Fireflies.ai | Shortwave |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | Yes | No |
| Windows | No | Yes |
| macOS | No | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | No |
| Browser Extension | No | No |
| Chrome Extension | Yes | No |

## Fireflies.ai strengths

- Permanent free tier with unlimited transcription and 100+ language support.
- Works across Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and other platforms, plus file uploads.
- Broad integrations covering CRM, ATS, dialers, Slack and an MCP server.
- Conversation analytics and team insights on the Business plan.
- Web, iOS, Android and Chrome extension coverage plus a desktop app with a public API.

## Fireflies.ai limitations

- Free plan limits AI summaries and caps storage at 400 minutes per team.
- Per-seat pricing rises quickly for teams: Business is $29 per seat on monthly billing.
- AI credit pools are small (20 to 50 per plan), and some features consume credits.
- HIPAA compliance, SSO and audit logs require the sales-led Enterprise plan.

## 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 Fireflies.ai better than Shortwave?**

It depends on your workflow. Fireflies.ai is built for Teams that want automatic meeting records and CRM-ready notes across many call platforms. 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 Fireflies.ai and Shortwave?**

Fireflies.ai: AI notetaker that records, transcribes and summarizes your meetings across every major call platform. Shortwave: AI email client for Gmail that searches, organizes, drafts and schedules from plain-language prompts.

**Does Fireflies.ai or Shortwave have a free plan?**

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

**Which is cheaper, Fireflies.ai or Shortwave?**

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