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; licenses cover Mac and Windows | 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: aText’s lifetime personal license is US$29.99 once (or US$14.97 with three one-year licenses). TextExpander Pro is US$180 over three years at US$60 a year. 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.
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.