# A Shortwave email alternative with no new client to learn

> Momo is a Shortwave email alternative for Gmail users who want AI drafts, follow-ups and scheduling without learning a new email client. Free now.

Source: https://askmomo.app/alternatives/shortwave · Updated 10 October 2026

Shortwave is a Gmail-only email client with an AI assistant, from $30 per seat per month on business plans. Momo is Gmail-only too, but it leaves Gmail alone: it works in the background, drafts in your voice, tracks follow-ups and promises, books meetings over email, and asks before anything leaves.

## Same Gmail, different shape

Both Momo and Shortwave require a Gmail or Google Workspace account. Shortwave gives you a new interface for that account: desktop, iOS, Android, with AI search, inline reply suggestions and filters that act on new mail automatically. Momo gives you an assistant and keeps the Gmail you already use.

## Where Shortwave is the better pick

If you want to replace Gmail's interface with something faster and more organised, with AI search across your whole history and native mobile apps today, Shortwave is a strong client. Momo is not a client.

## Where Momo is the better pick

If you do not want to change how you read email and want the work around it handled.

- Nothing to migrate or learn. Google sign-in and you are done.
- Drafts in your voice saved to Gmail Drafts, visible in any client including Shortwave.
- Follow-up tracking and a promises tracker in both directions.
- Scheduling by email with the pick booked automatically, inside what you approved.
- Morning brief by email and meeting prep 15 minutes before.
- Explicit approval gate: no filter ever archives or deletes without your tap, and undo is available for 7 days.
- Price: free now, ₹499 per month planned.

## Momo vs Shortwave

| | Momo | Shortwave |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free now; ₹499/mo planned | Free plan; Business $30, Premier $45, Max $120 per seat/mo |
| Separate email client | No | Yes |
| Gmail required | Yes | Yes |
| Microsoft 365 / Exchange | No | Not supported |
| Native desktop and mobile apps | Phone browser; native apps in testing | Yes |
| Drafts in your voice to Gmail Drafts | Yes | Inline reply suggestions |
| Tracks threads waiting on a reply | Yes | No |
| Books meetings by emailing free slots | Yes | Can send calendar invites |
| Promises tracker | Yes | No |
| Morning brief by email | Yes | No |
| Automatic actions on new mail | Only with your tap, undo for 7 days | AI filters label, archive, delete automatically |

Competitor prices and claims are taken from the vendor's own pricing and help pages on 10 October 2026 and may change. Momo is free during early access; Pro at ₹499 per month is planned.

## Questions

### Is this about Shortwave the email app or shortwave radio?

The email app at shortwave.com. Momo is an alternative for Gmail users who want AI help without switching clients.

### Do I lose anything by not switching clients?

You keep Gmail's interface, which some people prefer and some do not. Momo's drafts, follow-ups, scheduling and brief work regardless of which client you read mail in.

### Can I use Momo with Shortwave?

Yes. Momo's drafts are normal Gmail drafts and show up in Shortwave.

## Related

- [A Superhuman alternative that doesn't replace your inbox](https://askmomo.app/alternatives/superhuman)
- [The Gmail AI assistant that does the follow-through](https://askmomo.app/gmail-ai-assistant)
- [Inbox triage that tells you what actually needs you](https://askmomo.app/inbox-triage)
- [Free while we're in early access](https://askmomo.app/pricing)

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Momo (Ask Momo, askmomo.app) is an AI chief of staff for Gmail and Google Calendar, built in India. It triages your inbox, drafts replies in your voice to Gmail Drafts, tracks who hasn't replied and what you promised, schedules meetings over email, and sends a morning brief. Every email and cancellation waits for your approval.