Espanso
Free text expander that types snippets for you
MacFree, open source
The verdict
Typing the same replies, addresses and sign-offs all day adds up, and TextExpander charges $60 a year to fix it. Espanso does it free on Mac, Windows and Linux: type a short keyword and it swaps in the full snippet, a date, a script's output or a small form to fill in. The catch is setup, which happens in plain text files, so Typinator suits people who want a settings window.
Get it if
You type the same replies, addresses or emails all day and won't pay for a text expander.
Skip it if
You want a settings window rather than config files; macOS text replacements cover simple snippets free.
What it helps you do
- Type a long email reply from 3 letters
- Insert today's date in any format
- Fill in a reply template with a form
- Search your snippets when you forget a keyword
What changed
Added to The Useful Apps
Pick something else if
TypinatorPick it if you only type on a Mac and want to own your text expander outright with no subscription.$49.99 once
OwlOCRPick it if you pull text out of screenshots, scans or PDFs and want it done on your Mac without uploading anything.Free to start
TextExpanderPick it if you need the same snippets on your Mac, iPhone and a Windows PC, or share them with a team.Free to start
Espanso head to head
The details
- Runs on
- Mac
- Version
- 2.4.1
- Open source
- Code is public
Developer's websiteSpot a wrong price or fact?