Retext

Cotypist vs Typeahead: Complete Comparison

Compare Cotypist and Typeahead side-by-side to find the best autocomplete app for your needs.

TL;DR

Cotypist is best for AI that finishes your sentences in any app, while Typeahead is better for offline AI autocomplete.

Neither quite right? Consider Retext for your own snippets first, short on-device AI suggestions (both in beta), and a full text expander.

Quick Comparison

Cotypist

On-device AI autocomplete for Mac that suggests the rest of your sentence as you type

Pricing:

Plus 6/month or 72/year (1 Mac); Pro 9/month or 108/year (up to 3 Macs) (currency not shown)

Free tier: 100 accepted words a day, plus a 30-day Pro trial with no card

Runs on: Mac

Best for:

  • • AI that finishes your sentences in any app
  • • Private, on-device suggestions
  • • Help writing new text quickly

Typeahead

Private AI autocomplete for every Mac app, running a local model on your Mac

Pricing:

$96/year, or Lifetime $149 once with every future update; monthly plan available

Runs on: Mac

Best for:

  • • Offline AI autocomplete
  • • Different writing styles in different apps
  • • Autocomplete in languages other than English

Feature Comparison

FeatureCotypistTypeahead
Inline Autocomplete
Snippet ExpansionNot availableNot available
Grammar & Rewriting
Not available
Privacy & Local Storage
Cross-Platform

Pricing Comparison

ProductPricing ModelPriceFree Tier
CotypistFreemiumPlus 6/month or 72/year (1 Mac); Pro 9/month or 108/year (up to 3 Macs) (currency not shown)
100 accepted words a day, plus a 30-day Pro trial with no card
TypeaheadFlat Rate$96/year, or Lifetime $149 once with every future update; monthly plan available

Pros and Cons

Cotypist

Strengths

  • AI suggestions inline in most Mac apps
  • Runs on your Mac and works offline; your words never leave it
  • Tab accepts a word or a whole line
  • Fixes typos and expands emoji shortcodes
  • Adapts to your vocabulary, names and phrasing

Weaknesses

  • Apple silicon only, macOS 14 or later
  • Best in English
  • In code editors and terminals, only works in AI chat and agent prompts
  • Free plan is capped at 100 accepted words a day
  • Uses about 1-2.5 GB of memory while active

Typeahead

Strengths

  • Local model that works offline, with no account
  • Writing styles per app, or your own in plain English
  • Reads on-screen context so replies fit the conversation
  • Suggestions follow the language you're typing in
  • Turns itself off in password managers and finance apps

Weaknesses

  • No free plan; the trial needs a card
  • Needs 8 GB of memory and about 4 GB of free space
  • Terminal and code editor support is experimental and opt-in
  • No grammar checks

When to Choose Each

Choose Cotypist if you:

  • •Need AI that finishes your sentences in any app
  • •Need private, on-device suggestions
  • •Need help writing new text quickly
  • •Need writing in English

Choose Typeahead if you:

  • •Need offline AI autocomplete
  • •Need different writing styles in different apps
  • •Need autocomplete in languages other than English
  • •Need paying once instead of a subscription

Consider Retext Instead

If neither Cotypist nor Typeahead is quite right, Retext might be what you're looking for.

  • ✓Your words first (beta) - Snippets, then short on-device AI suggestions
  • ✓Tab to accept - Or the right arrow for one word
  • ✓Careful by default - Off in password fields and terminals
  • ✓A full text expander - Type ;trigger and it expands, anywhere
Retext vs Cotypist →Retext vs Typeahead →

How It Works in Retext

Autocomplete →

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Cotypist or Typeahead?

Cotypist is the better pick for AI that finishes your sentences in any app and private, on-device suggestions. Typeahead is the better pick for offline AI autocomplete and different writing styles in different apps.

How much do Cotypist and Typeahead cost?

Cotypist: Plus 6/month or 72/year (1 Mac); Pro 9/month or 108/year (up to 3 Macs) (currency not shown). Typeahead: $96/year, or Lifetime $149 once with every future update; monthly plan available.

Is Cotypist free?

Yes. Cotypist's free option: 100 accepted words a day, plus a 30-day Pro trial with no card. Paid: Plus 6/month or 72/year (1 Mac); Pro 9/month or 108/year (up to 3 Macs) (currency not shown).

Is Typeahead free?

No. $96/year, or Lifetime $149 once with every future update; monthly plan available.

What do Cotypist and Typeahead run on?

Cotypist runs on Mac. Typeahead runs on Mac.

Is there an alternative to both Cotypist and Typeahead?

Retext, if you want your own snippets first, with short AI suggestions (in beta). Native Mac text expander that suggests your own snippets as ghost text, and a few words from Apple's on-device model when none fits (both in beta). Press Tab to accept.

Ready to try Retext?

Download Retext, turn on autocomplete in Settings, and press Tab to accept.

Download for MacView Pricing

Related Comparisons

Retext vs CotypistRetext vs TypeaheadCotypist AlternativeTypeahead Alternative

Sources

Cotypist, checked October 28, 2026: Cotypist · Cotypist pricing

Typeahead, checked October 28, 2026: Typeahead

Prices and features change. Check each vendor's site before you buy.