Shortwave vs Speechify

Shortwave and Speechify sit in the same category. The verdict below is calculated for each role from the tasks, the role fit and the price.

Short answer

Shortwave wins for 17 of 20 roles in our data. Speechify starts at $139/yr; Shortwave publishes no fixed price.

Verdict by role

Role	Better choice	Why
Accountant	Shortwave	covers 2 of this role's tasks against 0; built for this role; works for free
Lawyer	Either one	even on tasks, Shortwave is cheaper to start
HR manager	Shortwave	covers 2 of this role's tasks against 0; works for free
Finance manager	Shortwave	covers 2 of this role's tasks against 1; built for this role; works for free
Manager	Shortwave	works for free
Marketer	Either one	even on tasks, Shortwave is cheaper to start
Sales manager	Shortwave	works for free
Data analyst	Shortwave	covers 2 of this role's tasks against 1; built for this role; works for free
Teacher	Shortwave	works for free
Executive assistant	Shortwave	works for free
Logistics manager	Shortwave	works for free
Procurement manager	Shortwave	covers 2 of this role's tasks against 1; built for this role; works for free
Secretary	Shortwave	works for free
Recruiter	Shortwave	covers 2 of this role's tasks against 0; works for free
HR administrator	Shortwave	covers 2 of this role's tasks against 0; works for free
Tax consultant	Shortwave	covers 2 of this role's tasks against 0; built for this role; works for free
Auditor	Shortwave	covers 2 of this role's tasks against 0; built for this role; works for free
Economist	Shortwave	covers 2 of this role's tasks against 1; built for this role; works for free
Project manager	Shortwave	works for free
Social media manager	Either one	even on tasks, Shortwave is cheaper to start

Side by side

	Shortwave	Speechify
Vendor	Shortwave	Speechify
Category	Other tools	Other tools
Free plan	Yes: A free plan with a shorter AI search history	Yes: Basic voices and standard speed, no premium voices and no scanning of large volumes
Cheapest paid plan	price on request	Premium, $139/yr
Top plan	price on request	Premium, $139/yr
Tasks covered	2	2

Shortwave: Email client for Gmail with an AI assistant that searches and answers across all your mail.

Speechify: Reads documents, PDFs and web pages aloud in a natural voice at the speed you set.

Only Shortwave covers

Only Speechify covers

Pitfalls to watch at work

Shortwave

It works only with Gmail and Google Workspace; Outlook mail cannot be connected
The assistant indexes emails on the service's servers: for mailboxes with HR and banking mail, clear this with the company
Check a date or amount from the assistant in the email it cites

Speechify

Documents you listen to are uploaded to the service's servers: keep contracts and HR documents with personal data out
The voice reads abbreviations and numbers oddly: for reports with figures, listen along with the text
The trial converts to annual billing automatically: cancel before it ends if the service does not suit you

FAQ

Is Shortwave or Speechify better for work?

In our data Shortwave is the better choice for 17 of 20 roles. The table above shows the reason for each role.

Which is cheaper, Shortwave or Speechify?

Speechify starts at $139/yr; Shortwave publishes no fixed price.

Do Shortwave and Speechify have free plans?

Shortwave: Yes. A free plan with a shorter AI search history. Speechify: Yes. Basic voices and standard speed, no premium voices and no scanning of large volumes.

Compare Shortwave with

Compare Speechify with

Alternatives to Shortwave · Alternatives to Speechify · Shortwave pricing · Speechify pricing