Microsoft Designer vs Shortwave
Microsoft Designer 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 | Microsoft Designer | Shortwave |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Microsoft | Shortwave |
| Rating | ★ 4.4 | ★ 4.5 |
| Pricing | Freemium | Freemium |
| Platforms | Web, Windows | Web, Desktop, Mobile |
| Key features | Prompt-to-social and slide layouts, DALL·E image generation in-app, 365 / Copilot integration | AI summaries and drafts in Gmail, Bundles and shortcuts, Gmail-native, not a new mail stack |
| Headquarters | Redmond, USA | San Francisco, USA |
| Founded | 2022 | 2020 |
| Open source | No | No |
Key differences
- Shortwave has a higher user rating (4.5★ vs 4.4★).
- Both Microsoft Designer and Shortwave use a Freemium model.
- Microsoft Designer runs on Web, Windows; Shortwave runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
Frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft Designer or Shortwave better?
By user rating, Shortwave scores higher (4.5★ vs 4.4★). Both are capable Productivity tools, so review the feature comparison for your use case.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Designer or Shortwave?
Both Microsoft Designer and Shortwave use a Freemium pricing model.
Are Microsoft Designer and Shortwave open source?
No — neither Microsoft Designer nor Shortwave is open source.