Text expanders for MacHead to head
TextExpander vs Typinator
TextExpander ranks #1 and Typinator ranks #3 in our guide to the best text expanders for Mac. TextExpander is our pick for most people.
TextExpanderPick TextExpander if you need the same snippets on your Mac, iPhone and a Windows PC, or share them with a team.Free to start#3 in the guide
TypinatorPick Typinator if you only type on a Mac and want to own your text expander outright with no subscription.$49.99 onceWhat decides it
- Typinator costs less over 3 years: $49.99, against $180 for TextExpander.
- Both run on Mac. Only TextExpander runs on iPhone and iPad.
Side by side
Prices are checked every day.
| At a glance | TextExpander | Typinator |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free for 5 snippets. Pro is $6 a month or $60 a year | $49.99 once for Mac, or $29.99 a year with iPhone and iPad |
| How you pay | Free, with paid upgrades | Pay once |
| 3 years of use | $180 Yearly plan | $49.99 Cheaper |
| Free trial | Free to start | Yes |
| Runs on | Mac, iPhone, iPad | Mac |
| Where to buy | Developer, App Store | Developer |
| Features | Free trial | iCloud sync, Free trial |
| Last updated | 23 Oct 2026 | 14 Oct 2026 |
Who should get which
Get TextExpander if
You type the same replies or details every day and want them in a few keystrokes on every device.
Get Typinator if
You type the same replies, addresses or code blocks every week and want to own the tool outright.
Skip TextExpander if
You only work on a Mac and would rather pay once for Typinator or use the free espanso.
Skip Typinator if
You need a few short shortcuts, and the Text Replacements in macOS Keyboard settings cover that free.
Our verdicts
TextExpander
If you type the same replies, addresses and links on a Mac, a Windows PC and your iPhone, TextExpander keeps 1 snippet library on all of them and in Chrome. Snippets can ask for a name or detail before they paste, and teams share one library so everyone sends the same wording. The free plan holds 5 snippets, and Typinator at $49.99 once or the free espanso suit Mac-only users better.
Typinator
Most text expanders now charge a subscription, but Typinator still sells a $49.99 one-time Mac license next to its yearly plan, against TextExpander's $60 a year. Type a short abbreviation and it fills in longer text, images, dates or code in any Mac app, and it fixes your usual typos as you type. Snippets on iPhone and iPad need the $29.99 yearly plan, and Espanso covers basic snippets for free.
What each one helps you do
TextExpander
- Type full replies from a short abbreviation
- Fill in a name before a template pastes
- Share the same snippets with your team
- Use your snippets on Mac and iPhone
Typinator
- Type long replies with a short abbreviation
- Insert today's date with a few keys
- Fix your usual typos automatically
- Use the same snippets on Mac and iPhone
Where to get them
TextExpander
Free for 5 snippets. Pro is $6 a month or $60 a year
Typinator
$49.99 once for Mac, or $29.99 a year with iPhone and iPad
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From the developerRuns in a trial mode with limited expansions until you buy$49.99Get it
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Neither one quite right?
The other picks in our guide to the best text expanders for Mac.
Read the full guideAll TextExpander alternativesAll Typinator alternatives