Harvey vs Shortwave
Which Productivity AI tool is better in 2026?
Harvey
The AI platform for elite law firms.
Shortwave
AI-native email built on Gmail with bundles, AI search, and chat.
Side-by-side
| Harvey | Shortwave | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | The AI platform for elite law firms. | AI-native email built on Gmail with bundles, AI search, and chat. |
| Founded | 2022 | 2020 |
| HQ | San Francisco, US | US |
| Employees | 201-500 | 11-50 |
| Total funding | $1.5B | Undisclosed |
| Latest round | Series F · Mar 2026 | — |
| Valuation | $11B | — |
| Cheapest paid plan | — | — |
| Free plan | ✗ | ✓ Free |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✓ |
| Top tier price | Enterprise · Contact sales | — |
| Pricing summary | 1 published plans | 1 published plans |
| Categories |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Harvey and Shortwave.
| Capability | Harvey | Shortwave |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✗ | ✗ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | — | — |
| Free plan | ✗ | ✓ |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✓ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Harvey
- Has raised more capital ($1.5B vs Undisclosed)
- Higher Neuron score (78 vs 68)
- Newer company (2022)
🔵 Strengths of Shortwave
- Offers a free plan
- Offers a free trial
- More mature (2020)
Which should you choose?
Choose Harvey if price matters most — it starts at Paid, which is friendlier for teams watching burn. Both AI Productivity tools ship core features, so the cost delta often decides it for small teams and solo operators.
Choose Harvey if you want the most established option — it has raised $1.5B, suggesting more runway for enterprise features, support, and long-term roadmap. For mission-critical workflows or larger teams, that stability often outweighs a lower monthly price.
Frequently asked questions
Harvey vs Shortwave — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Harvey has raised more capital and is the more established option; Shortwave has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Harvey cheaper than Shortwave?
Yes — Harvey's cheapest paid plan is Paid, while Shortwave's is Free.
Do Harvey and Shortwave offer free plans?
Harvey: Paid only. Shortwave: Yes, has a free plan.
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