TextExpander vs Espanso: Complete Comparison

Compare TextExpander and Espanso side-by-side to find the best text expander for your needs.

TL;DR

TextExpander is best for enterprise teams needing shared snippet libraries, while Espanso is better for developers comfortable with config files.

Neither quite right? Consider Retext for AI-powered snippet generation with native Mac performance.

Quick Comparison

TextExpander

Enterprise-focused text expansion tool with team sharing and snippet libraries

Pricing:

$4.16/user/month billed annually (~$50/year), $6.67/month monthly

Best for:

• Enterprise teams needing shared snippet libraries
• Customer support teams with canned responses
• Organizations requiring compliance and audit trails

Espanso

Open-source, cross-platform text expander configured via YAML files

Pricing:

Free and open source

Free tier: Completely free, open source

Best for:

• Developers comfortable with config files
• Users who want open source solutions
• Linux users needing text expansion

Feature Comparison

Feature	TextExpander	Espanso
Snippet Expansion
AI Generation		Not available
Variables & Placeholders
Folder Organization
Team Sharing
Cross-Platform
Native Performance
Privacy & Local Storage
Customization
Ease of Use

Pricing Comparison

Product	Pricing Model	Price	Free Tier
TextExpander	Per Seat	$4.16/user/month billed annually (~$50/year), $6.67/month monthly
Espanso	Open Source	Free and open source	Completely free, open source

Pros and Cons

TextExpander

Strengths

Extensive snippet library ecosystem
Powerful team sharing and organization
Advanced variables and fill-in forms
Cross-platform availability
Long track record and stability

Weaknesses

Expensive per-seat pricing adds up quickly
Requires subscription - no perpetual license
Complex interface with steep learning curve
Cloud-dependent for sync
Overkill for individual users

Espanso

Strengths

Completely free and open source
Cross-platform (Mac, Windows, Linux)
Written in Rust for excellent performance
Powerful YAML configuration
Shell script and custom extension support

Weaknesses

No graphical interface for editing
Requires YAML configuration knowledge
No AI capabilities
Learning curve for non-technical users
No built-in backup or sync

When to Choose Each

Choose TextExpander if you:

•Need enterprise teams needing shared snippet libraries
•Need customer support teams with canned responses
•Need organizations requiring compliance and audit trails
•Need users who need cross-platform sync

Choose Espanso if you:

•Need developers comfortable with config files
•Need users who want open source solutions
•Need linux users needing text expansion
•Need those who want full customization control
•Need privacy-conscious users

Consider Retext Instead

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

✓AI-powered snippet generation - Let AI help create your snippets
✓Native Mac app - Fast, lightweight, no Electron bloat
✓Simple pricing - $19/month or $99/year, no per-seat costs
✓Privacy-first - Your data stays on your device

Retext vs TextExpander →Retext vs Espanso →

Ready to try Retext?

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

Download for Mac View Pricing

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