Do I have to switch email clients to use Avelie?
No. Avelie works with your existing Gmail — web, mobile, or any client that connects to Gmail. Shortwave requires you to use their app as your primary email interface.
Comparison
Avelie vs Shortwave
Shortwave is a from-scratch email client built on top of Gmail with AI summarization, thread bundling, and draft assistance. Avelie takes a lighter approach: it works with your existing Gmail setup, adding decision-based triage and context-aware drafts without asking you to switch clients.
| Feature | Avelie | Shortwave |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Add-on intelligence layer | Full email client replacement |
| AI summarization | Thread summaries on decision emails | Full thread + inbox summarization |
| AI draft replies | Yes, with tone learning | Yes |
| Conversation bundling | Three-tier priority lanes | Topic-based bundles |
| Keep existing client | Yes | No (replaces Gmail UI) |
| Mobile app | iOS (beta) | iOS and Android |
| Starting price | Free during beta | $8/month |
| Best for | Adding triage without changing workflow | People who want a new email experience |
Avelie
Avelie doesn't ask you to learn a new email client. It works behind your existing Gmail, sorting messages into decision/routine/noise lanes and preparing drafts for the messages that need replies. Less commitment, more focused on the decision layer.
Best for: People who like their current Gmail setup but want smarter inbox sorting.
Shortwave
Shortwave is probably the best-designed alternative email client for Gmail users. The bundling feature is well-done, and AI summarization works well for long threads. The trade-off is you're committing to Shortwave's UI for everything.
Best for: Gmail users who want a completely new email experience with AI baked into every feature.
FAQ
Is Shortwave's AI summarization better?
Shortwave summarizes more aggressively across your entire inbox. Avelie focuses summarization on decision-relevant threads, where the context actually helps you respond better. Different priorities.
Can I try both?
You could, but Shortwave takes over your Gmail interface, which makes running both simultaneously awkward. If you want to compare, try one for a week, then the other.
Want to try Avelie?
Join the waitlist and see how decision-first email triage works for your inbox.