Choose aText if you want an inexpensive desktop text expander for Mac and Windows and don’t need a browser extension or phone app. Choose TextExpander if you need snippets synced to Chrome and iPhone/iPad, or shared with a team.
Published by LazyBoard, with AI-assisted drafting. Vendor pricing and documentation checked October 25, 2026. We make LazyBoard and have not run a hands-on benchmark of every product. Prices and features change; the linked vendor pages are the source for current terms.
Side-by-side comparison
| aText | TextExpander | |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Mac and Windows desktop apps; portable version available | Mac, Windows, Chrome extension, iPhone and iPad |
| Price (personal) | US$4.99 for one year or US$29.99 lifetime, per system; Mac and Windows are licensed separately | Pro: US$60 per user per year |
| Free option | Free trial (21 days on Mac) and a free version | Free plan with 5 active snippets |
| Sync | Through a folder you choose: Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud Drive, or a network share | Built-in sync on every plan |
| Snippet features | Rich text and images, editable fields, date scripts, keystrokes, scripting, auto-correction | Fill-ins, date math, and JavaScript snippets (Pro) |
| Team sharing | Multi-user collaboration through shared folders; Business licenses available | Shared libraries; Business adds team controls |
Sources: aText features, aText licenses, and TextExpander pricing.
What each costs over three years
For one person on one system: aText’s lifetime personal license is US$29.99 once (or US$14.97 with three one-year licenses). A Mac and a Windows PC need a license each, so US$59.98. TextExpander Pro is US$180 over three years at US$60 a year (see TextExpander pricing). The difference pays for TextExpander’s Chrome extension, mobile apps, and managed sync. If you only type on desktop computers, you may not need those.
Which one to choose
- Desktop only, budget matters: aText.
- You type in Chrome on a Chromebook or a work browser: TextExpander (aText has no browser extension).
- Snippets on iPhone or iPad: TextExpander.
- A team that edits the same library: TextExpander, or aText with a shared folder if your team is small and on desktop.
Check aText’s download page for your exact operating-system version. When we checked, the Mac download was listed for macOS Sequoia.
A middle option
LazyBoard covers Mac, Windows, and Chrome with one account and costs US$30 a year for unlimited snippets and cloud sync, with a Free plan of 10 snippets and 3 folders. It has a snippet picker and fill-in fields, but no scripting or team workspace. Its iPhone and Android keyboards are separate apps.
Common questions
Is aText a good TextExpander alternative?
Yes, for desktop use. aText covers Mac and Windows with rich text, fields, and scripts at a much lower price. It does not have a Chrome extension or mobile app, so it is not a full replacement if you rely on those.
Does aText sync between Mac and Windows?
Yes. aText syncs through a cloud or network folder you choose, such as Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, or iCloud Drive. Each system needs its own license.
Can I import TextExpander snippets into aText?
Check aText’s current documentation for supported import formats. Whatever you import, test a small set first: plain text usually carries over, but fill-ins and scripts use different syntax in each product and may need to be recreated.