Our take
Pick Canary Mail if people who will stay on Free while they unify a first Gmail + IMAP inbox — then Growth at US$36/yr when they want Copilot, or Pro+ at US$100/yr when they want PGP / SecureSend, not Spark Plus US$10/mo first unless they want Focused List collab, and not if they need Front’s $25 shared support queue. Pick Shortwave if people who will reconnect Gmail and pay $30/seat after the trial. Skip Shortwave
Best for
Canary Mail An inbox you start at a public $
Shortwave Search and act on Gmail from one box
Free plan
Canary Mail $0 · core inbox. Up to 2 devices
Shortwave No free plan
Lowest paid
Canary Mail Growth $36/mo
Shortwave Business $30
Next step up
Canary Mail Pro+ $100/mo
Shortwave Premier $45
Runs where
Canary Mail
Shortwave Hosted
Watch out
Canary Mail AI Copilot / PGP / SecureSend are gated
Shortwave $30 / $45 are Business seats
Last checked
Canary Mail 2026-10-23 · canarymail.io/pricing
Shortwave 2026-10-21 · shortwave.com/pricing
people who will stay on Free while they unify a first Gmail + IMAP inbox — then Growth at US$36/yr when they want Copilot, or Pro+ at US$100/yr when they want PGP / SecureSend, not Spark Plus US$10/mo first unless they want Focused List collab, and not if they need Front’s $25 shared support queue.
Read the Canary Mail pagepeople who will reconnect Gmail and pay $30/seat after the trial.
Read the Shortwave page
