Lark vs Shortwave
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Lark and Shortwave are credible productivity collaboration tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Lark - All-in-one suite of chat, docs, meetings, and base.
Shortwave - AI email client for Gmail.
Lark vs Shortwave: side by side
| Dimension | Lark | Shortwave |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free - $12/user/mo | Free - $7/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Best for | Startups, Global Teams | Professionals |
| Platforms | Web, Mac, Windows, iOS, Android | Web, Mac, iOS, Android |
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
Lark key facts
- Vendor
- ByteDance
- Pricing
- Freemium - Free - $12/user/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Mac, Windows, iOS, Android
- Best for
- Startups, Global Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.5 / 5
- Founded
- 2019
- Headquarters
- Singapore
Shortwave key facts
- Vendor
- Shortwave
- Pricing
- Freemium - Free - $7/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Mac, iOS, Android
- Best for
- Professionals
- Editor rating
- 4.5 / 5
- Founded
- 2020
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, CA, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Lark better than Shortwave?
Neither is universally better - Lark edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Lark or Shortwave cheaper?
Lark is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free - $12/user/mo. Lark starts at free - $12/user/mo; Shortwave starts at free - $7/mo.
Can Lark replace Shortwave?
Yes for most teams - both are productivity collaboration tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.
Side-by-side software breakdowns and pricing changes - in your inbox monthly.