Reviewed by the NexaToolkit team · Last reviewed June 2026. Shortwave is Gmail/Google-Workspace only — a hard limit we flag up front for Outlook users. NexaToolkit may earn a commission from links on this page — it never changes what we recommend.
“Zero inbox” isn’t about reading every email — it’s a system where every message is sorted, handled, or deferred, so nothing lingers. Shortwave’s AI filters and bundling make that system almost automatic. Here’s how to build it, the big compatibility caveat, and real 2026 pricing.
Step 1: confirm you’re on Gmail (the hard requirement)
Shortwave only works with Gmail and Google Workspace — no Outlook or Microsoft 365. If you’re on Gmail, continue; if not, this isn’t your tool (look at SaneBox or Superhuman instead).
Step 2: pick the plan
Free (personal Gmail, capped AI), Business $24/month (full AI, 3 AI filters, 150–300 daily AI requests), Premier $36 (10 filters, ~600 requests), Max $100 (50 filters). One flat rate covers all your connected Gmail accounts. Business is the practical zero-inbox tier.
Step 3: build AI filters that auto-sort
Shortwave’s AI filters route mail into bundles by intent — newsletters, receipts, threads needing a reply — automatically. Set 3 filters on Business to triage the bulk of your inbox so you process by category, not message-by-message.
Step 4: use AI to clear the rest fast
For what’s left, use Shortwave’s AI to summarize long threads and draft replies, so handling each item takes seconds. Summarize-then-reply is what gets you to zero quickly instead of reading every word.
AI email clients compared
| Tool | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Shortwave Business | $24/mo | Gmail zero-inbox with AI filters |
| Shortwave Premier | $36/mo | Heavier AI use, more filters |
| Superhuman | Premium | Speed-focused power users |
| SaneBox | $7–$36/mo | Any provider (incl. Outlook) |
A real scenario
A Gmail-based founder who never hits zero: on Shortwave Business ($24) they set three AI filters — newsletters, receipts, needs-reply — so 80% of mail auto-bundles out of the main view; then they batch-process each bundle, using AI summaries to clear long threads and AI drafts to answer in seconds. Inbox zero becomes a daily 20-minute routine instead of an impossible dream. The one disqualifier to check first: Shortwave is Gmail/Workspace only — if you’re on Outlook, SaneBox ($7–$36, any provider) is the system to build instead. Match the tool to your email host before anything else.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Shortwave cost?
Free (personal Gmail, capped AI), Business $24/month (full AI, 3 filters), Premier $36 (10 filters), Max $100 (50 filters). One flat rate covers all connected Gmail accounts. Business is the practical zero-inbox tier.
Does Shortwave work with Outlook?
No — Shortwave supports only Gmail and Google Workspace, not Microsoft 365 or Outlook. Outlook users should look at provider-agnostic options like SaneBox or other AI email clients.
How do AI filters help reach inbox zero?
They auto-sort incoming mail into bundles by intent (newsletters, receipts, needs-reply), so you process by category instead of message-by-message. Combined with AI thread summaries and reply drafting, clearing the inbox becomes a fast daily routine.
More: see our best AI email assistants and AI productivity tools.
