# Reclaim.ai vs Shortwave

> Reclaim.ai: AI calendar assistant that schedules focus time, habits, tasks and meetings around your day
> Shortwave: AI email client for Gmail that searches, organizes, drafts and schedules from plain-language prompts

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

## Verdict

Reclaim.ai and Shortwave are both AI Assistants tools. Both have a free plan or trial. Only Reclaim.ai is available on Web. Only Shortwave is available on Windows, macOS and iOS.

### Choose Reclaim.ai if

- You want a tool built for protecting focus time and habits automatically on a shared Google or Outlook calendar.
- Free Lite plan for individuals with no credit card required.
- Works with both Google Calendar and Outlook Calendar.

### 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

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

## Features

| Feature | Reclaim.ai | Shortwave |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AI Focus Time | Yes | Not listed |
| Habits and Buffers | Yes | Not listed |
| Smart Meetings | Yes | Not listed |
| Scheduling Links | Yes | Not listed |
| Task Scheduling | Yes | Not listed |
| AI Assistant and Agents | Yes | Not listed |
| Calendar Sync and Team OOO | Yes | Not listed |
| Analytics and Time Tracking | Yes | Not listed |
| MCP Support | 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 | Reclaim.ai | Shortwave |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | Yes | No |
| Windows | No | Yes |
| macOS | No | Yes |
| iOS | No | Yes |
| Android | No | Yes |
| API | No | No |
| Browser Extension | No | No |

## Reclaim.ai strengths

- Free Lite plan for individuals with no credit card required
- Works with both Google Calendar and Outlook Calendar
- Task sync from Asana, Jira, Linear, ClickUp and Todoist
- Preview Mode lets users review changes before attendees see them
- Enterprise security: SOC 2 Type II, SSO and SCIM

## Reclaim.ai limitations

- No native iOS or Android app, per Reclaim's own help center
- Free Lite plan is limited to a 1-week scheduling range, 1 calendar sync and 1 scheduling link
- Pricing page is inconsistent on annual savings (20% vs 29%) and Attendee User pack prices
- Some reviewers report leftover calendar events after disconnecting and slow support responses (review sites, Trustpilot)

## 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 Reclaim.ai better than Shortwave?**

It depends on your workflow. Reclaim.ai is built for protecting focus time and habits automatically on a shared Google or Outlook calendar. 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 Reclaim.ai and Shortwave?**

Reclaim.ai: AI calendar assistant that schedules focus time, habits, tasks and meetings around your day. Shortwave: AI email client for Gmail that searches, organizes, drafts and schedules from plain-language prompts.

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

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

**Which is cheaper, Reclaim.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.