Retext

Retext vs Grammarly: A Complete Comparison

Compare Retext and Grammarly 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 Grammarly if you need catching grammar and spelling mistakes everywhere you write.

The Short Version

Grammarly leads on grammar, tone and rewriting, and it runs on far more platforms than Retext. It checks text on its servers and doesn't list inline autocomplete. Retext suggests your own snippets as ghost text on your Mac (in beta), so many people use Grammarly to check writing and Retext to type less of it.

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

Grammarly

Cloud-based writing assistant that checks grammar, tone and clarity as you type, with AI rewriting and drafting, on Mac, Windows, mobile and the web

Pricing:

Pro $12 (billing period not shown); Enterprise by quote

Free tier: Spelling and grammar checks, tone detection and 100 AI prompts a month

Runs on: Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android and Web

Best for:

  • • Catching grammar and spelling mistakes everywhere you write
  • • Adjusting tone before you send
  • • Rewriting sentences that don't read well
  • • Teams that want one style guide and brand voice

Feature Comparison

FeatureRetextGrammarly
Inline Autocomplete
Beta
Snippet Expansion
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
GrammarlyFreemiumPro $12 (billing period not shown); Enterprise by quote
Spelling and grammar checks, tone detection and 100 AI prompts a month

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

Grammarly

Strengths

  • Grammar, spelling and clarity checks as you type, in most Mac apps
  • Tone detection, and rewriting in a different tone on Pro
  • Rewrites whole sentences with a click on Pro
  • AI drafts, replies and ideas from a prompt
  • Works on Mac, Windows, iPhone, iPad, Android and in the browser

Weaknesses

  • Needs an internet connection; text is checked on Grammarly's servers
  • Free plan has 100 AI prompts a month
  • No inline autocomplete listed
  • Snippets come from a \ menu, not typed triggers, and need Pro
  • Fill-in fields in snippets need Enterprise

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 Grammarly if you:

  • •Need catching grammar and spelling mistakes everywhere you write
  • •Need adjusting tone before you send
  • •Need rewriting sentences that don't read well
  • •Need teams that want one style guide and brand voice
  • •Need people who write on Windows, mobile and the web as well as Mac

Switching from Grammarly to Retext

Migration difficulty:easy

Grammarly is a writing checker first, so most people keep it for grammar. If you saved Grammarly snippets, copy the ones you use into Retext and give each a short trigger. Retext and Grammarly can run side by side.

How It Works in Retext

Autocomplete →

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Retext and Grammarly?

Grammarly leads on grammar, tone and rewriting, and it runs on far more platforms than Retext. It checks text on its servers and doesn't list inline autocomplete. Retext suggests your own snippets as ghost text on your Mac (in beta), so many people use Grammarly to check writing and Retext to type less of it.

Is Grammarly free?

Yes. Grammarly's free option: spelling and grammar checks, tone detection and 100 AI prompts a month. Paid: Pro $12 (billing period not shown); Enterprise by quote.

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 Grammarly run on?

Grammarly runs on Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android and Web. Retext runs on Mac.

Should I choose Grammarly instead of Retext?

Grammarly is the better fit for catching grammar and spelling mistakes everywhere you write, adjusting tone before you send and rewriting sentences that don't read well. Choose Retext if you want suggestions from your own snippets.

Can I switch from Grammarly to Retext?

Grammarly is a writing checker first, so most people keep it for grammar. If you saved Grammarly snippets, copy the ones you use into Retext and give each a short trigger. Retext and Grammarly can run side by side.

Ready to switch from Grammarly?

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

Download for MacView Pricing

Related Comparisons

Grammarly AlternativeAll Grammarly AlternativesRetext vs CotypistRetext vs TypeaheadRetext vs macOS Inline Predictions

Sources

Grammarly, checked October 28, 2026: Grammarly plans · Grammarly for Mac · Can I use Grammarly offline? · Grammarly snippets

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