Guide
The best TextExpander alternatives for Mac (2026)
TextExpander is the best-known text expander, and since its move to a subscription it’s also one of the most expensive. Here’s how the alternatives compare, and how to bring your snippets with you.
By Anmol Sethi · Updated
Compared
Prices as listed by each developer in October 2026; check before you buy.
| App | Price | Fill-in forms | Suggestions | Syncs via |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TextExpander | $60/year | Yes | Yes, behind the subscription | TextExpander account |
| Typinator | $49.99 once | Yes | No | Dropbox or iCloud folder |
| aText | $29.99 once | Yes | No | Dropbox or iCloud folder |
| Espanso | Free, open source | Yes, in YAML | No | Any folder you sync |
| Alfred / Raycast snippets | Bundled with the launcher | Limited | No | The launcher’s own sync |
| Snipora | Free up to 15; $2.99/month or $39.99 once | Yes, with choice lists | Yes, on-device and free | iCloud Drive |
Snipora is a text expander that tells you why when it can’t expand. Try it in your browser →
What actually matters when you switch
- Your snippets come with you. Every abbreviation, fill-in and date, not just the plain text.
- It tells you when it can’t work. Secure Input blocks every expander; the good ones say so instead of failing silently (why).
- It pastes rather than types. Pasting is instant and keeps emoji and accents intact.
- No account if you don’t want one. Your snippets are personal; they don’t need a server.
- An honest price. A lifetime option, or a subscription that never deletes your work if it lapses.
Moving your snippets
- In TextExpander, export each group (right-click the group → Save a Backup or Export).
- In Snipora, click Bring snippets over… → Import a file…, then pick the file.
- Read the import report: it lists every snippet that came over, and anything that needed a change.
TextExpander’s %clipboard, %| (cursor), %filltext and %fillpopup become Snipora’s {clipboard}, {cursor}, {field:…} and {choice:…}. Abbreviations get a ; in front, as you type them in Snipora: omw becomes ;omw. Snippets that press keys or paste the clipboard ask before they’re added, since text that was literal elsewhere would act here.
Coming from Espanso, Alfred or macOS Text Replacements? Snipora finds them on first launch and offers “Bring your snippets over” in one click. Typinator, aText and others can export CSV, which imports too.
The way Snipora handles it
Snipora is free for up to 15 snippets, suggestions included. Unlimited is $2.99/month or $24.99/year (save 30%), or a lifetime licence with every future update: $29.99 for the first 50 buyers (25% off), then $39.99 for one Mac; $59.99 for 3 Macs, $79.99 for 5.
What sets it apart: it notices text you type three times and offers to make it a snippet, entirely on your Mac; it explains Secure Input instead of going quiet; and on first launch it fills itself from your Contacts card and your old expander, so it’s useful in seconds.
Snipora is free for up to 15 snippets. No account.
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