Retext

The Best Alfred Alternative for Mac

Looking for a Alfred alternative? Retext offers AI-powered snippet generation with a simple, native Mac experience.

TL;DR

Retext is the best Alfred alternative if you want AI-powered snippet generation, a native Mac app, and straightforward pricing without per-seat costs.

Why Switch from Alfred to Retext?

What Alfred Does Well

  • Powerful all-in-one productivity tool
  • One-time purchase with lifetime updates
  • Extensive workflow automation
  • Clipboard history integration

Why People Switch

  • Overkill if you only need snippets
  • Powerpack required for snippet features
  • Learning curve is significant
  • Snippet management UI could be better

What Makes Retext Different

Only text expander with built-in AI generation

BYOK model - your API key, your costs, your control

No subscription lock-in for basic features

Built for individual power users, not enterprise teams

Native macOS performance without Electron bloat

Feature Comparison

FeatureRetextAlfred
Snippet Expansion
AI Generation
Not available
Variables & Placeholders
Folder Organization
Team SharingNot availableNot available
Cross-Platform
Native Performance
Privacy & Local Storage
Customization
Ease of Use

Pricing Comparison

ProductPricing ModelPriceFree Tier
RetextFreemium$19/month or $99/year for Pro
3 snippets, 5 AI generations per day
AlfredOne-TimeFree for basic, £34 (~$42) for Powerpack (lifetime), £59 (~$74) Mega Supporter
Launcher features free, snippets require Powerpack

Who Should Switch to Retext?

Retext is great for you if:

  • • You want AI to help generate snippet content
  • • You prefer native Mac apps over Electron
  • • You want simple, predictable pricing
  • • You value privacy and local-first storage
  • • You don't need team sharing features

Stick with Alfred if:

  • Power users who want an all-in-one productivity suite
  • Those already using Alfred for launching/workflows
  • Users who prefer one-time purchases
  • Mac users who want deep system integration

Migrating from Alfred

Migration difficulty: medium

Alfred stores snippets in its own format, export options available

Ready to switch from Alfred?

Get started with AI-powered text expansion. Free to try with 3 snippets and 5 AI generations per day.

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