Instapaper vs Shortwave
Instapaper and Shortwave are both Productivity tools in our directory. This side-by-side comparison covers pricing, user ratings, supported platforms, key features and open-source status so you can decide which one fits your needs.
Side-by-side comparison
| Attribute | Instapaper | Shortwave |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Instant Paper | Shortwave |
| Rating | ★ 4.5 | ★ 4.5 |
| Pricing | Freemium | Freemium |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Kindle | Web, Desktop, Mobile |
| Key features | Clean articles, Kindle send, Queue | AI summaries and drafts in Gmail, Bundles and shortcuts, Gmail-native, not a new mail stack |
| Headquarters | USA | San Francisco, USA |
| Founded | 2008 | 2020 |
| Open source | No | No |
Key differences
- Instapaper and Shortwave share the same user rating (4.5★).
- Both Instapaper and Shortwave use a Freemium model.
- Instapaper runs on Web, iOS, Android, Kindle; Shortwave runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
Frequently asked questions
Is Instapaper or Shortwave better?
Instapaper and Shortwave are rated equally (4.5★) by users, so the better choice depends on your needs — see the feature and platform comparison above.
Which is cheaper, Instapaper or Shortwave?
Both Instapaper and Shortwave use a Freemium pricing model.
Are Instapaper and Shortwave open source?
No — neither Instapaper nor Shortwave is open source.