Retext

Retext vs Apple Writing Tools: A Complete Comparison

Compare Retext and Apple Writing Tools side-by-side. See which autocomplete app is the best fit for your workflow.

TL;DR

Choose Retext if you want suggestions from your own snippets (beta) and a full text expander in one app.

Choose Apple Writing Tools if you need polishing an email or note before you send it.

The Short Version

Writing Tools goes much further than Retext on proofreading, rewriting and summarizing, and it's free on Macs with Apple Intelligence. It works on text you select rather than as you type. Retext suggests your own snippets as you type (in beta), so the two do different jobs and work well together.

Quick Comparison

Retext

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.

Pricing:

Autocomplete comes with every plan. See the pricing page.

Free tier: Snippet and AI suggestions, plus 5 snippets

Runs on: Mac

Best for:

  • • People with a library of snippets
  • • Reusing exact wording, every time
  • • Typing in native Mac apps

Apple Writing Tools

Apple Intelligence tools built into macOS that proofread, rewrite and summarize text you select, on device or in Private Cloud Compute

Pricing:

Included with Apple Intelligence; usage limits may apply

Free tier: Built into macOS on Macs that support Apple Intelligence

Runs on: Mac

Best for:

  • • Polishing an email or note before you send it
  • • Changing the tone of something you wrote
  • • Summarizing long text
  • • People who want writing help without another app

Feature Comparison

FeatureRetextApple Writing Tools
Inline Autocomplete
Beta
Not available
Snippet Expansion
Not available
Grammar & Rewriting
Privacy & Local Storage
Cross-Platform

Pricing Comparison

ProductPricing ModelPriceFree Tier
RetextFreemiumAutocomplete comes with every plan. See the pricing page.
Snippet and AI suggestions, plus 5 snippets
Apple Writing ToolsFreeIncluded with Apple Intelligence; usage limits may apply
Built into macOS on Macs that support Apple Intelligence

Pros and Cons

Retext

Strengths

  • Snippet suggestions (beta) show your snippets as ghost text; Tab accepts
  • Finishes a trigger you've started, like ;em to ;email-sig
  • Completes a snippet's text when you start typing it
  • Stays off in password fields, terminals and password managers
  • AI suggestions (beta) of up to eight words, from Apple's on-device model

Weaknesses

  • AI suggestions are short: up to eight words at a time
  • AI suggestions need Apple Intelligence
  • Only suggests where an app reports the cursor position

Apple Writing Tools

Strengths

  • Proofreads and rewrites text in place
  • Rewrites in a Friendly, Professional or Concise tone
  • Summarizes and pulls out key points
  • Describe the change you want in your own words
  • Runs on device, with Private Cloud Compute for complex requests

Weaknesses

  • Needs a Mac with Apple silicon (M1 or later) and Apple Intelligence
  • Not available in every language or region
  • Works on text you select, not as you type
  • Usage limits may apply
  • Composing new text goes through the ChatGPT extension

When to Choose Each

Choose Retext if you:

  • ✓Want suggestions from your own snippets
  • ✓Want a text expander and autocomplete in one app
  • ✓Type the same replies and details again and again
  • ✓Want short AI suggestions that run on your Mac

Choose Apple Writing Tools if you:

  • •Need polishing an email or note before you send it
  • •Need changing the tone of something you wrote
  • •Need summarizing long text
  • •Need people who want writing help without another app

Switching from Apple Writing Tools to Retext

Migration difficulty:easy

Writing Tools is part of macOS, so there's nothing to move, and it keeps working alongside Retext. Use Writing Tools to polish what you wrote and Retext to type the parts you repeat.

How It Works in Retext

Autocomplete →

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Retext and Apple Writing Tools?

Writing Tools goes much further than Retext on proofreading, rewriting and summarizing, and it's free on Macs with Apple Intelligence. It works on text you select rather than as you type. Retext suggests your own snippets as you type (in beta), so the two do different jobs and work well together.

Is Apple Writing Tools free?

Yes. Apple Writing Tools's free option: built into macOS on Macs that support Apple Intelligence. Paid: Included with Apple Intelligence; usage limits may apply.

Is Retext free?

Yes. Retext's free plan includes snippet and AI suggestions, plus 5 snippets. Autocomplete comes with every plan. See the pricing page.

What does Apple Writing Tools run on?

Apple Writing Tools runs on Mac. Retext runs on Mac.

Should I choose Apple Writing Tools instead of Retext?

Apple Writing Tools is the better fit for polishing an email or note before you send it, changing the tone of something you wrote and summarizing long text. Choose Retext if you want suggestions from your own snippets.

Can I switch from Apple Writing Tools to Retext?

Writing Tools is part of macOS, so there's nothing to move, and it keeps working alongside Retext. Use Writing Tools to polish what you wrote and Retext to type the parts you repeat.

Ready to switch from Apple Writing Tools?

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

Download for MacView Pricing

Related Comparisons

Apple Writing Tools AlternativeAll Apple Writing Tools AlternativesRetext vs CotypistRetext vs TypeaheadRetext vs Grammarly

Sources

Apple Writing Tools, checked October 28, 2026: Use Writing Tools on Mac · Apple Intelligence · Apple Intelligence and privacy on Mac

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