Retext

Retext vs macOS Inline Predictions: A Complete Comparison

Compare Retext and macOS Inline Predictions 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 macOS Inline Predictions if you need faster typing at no cost.

The Short Version

Inline predictions are free, built in and need no setup, which Retext can't match. They finish common words and phrases; Retext, in beta, suggests your own snippets and finishes triggers, with Tab to accept. The two can run 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

macOS Inline Predictions

Apple's built-in predictive text for Mac, which finishes the word or phrase you're typing in gray, inline

Pricing:

Free, built into macOS

Free tier: Included with macOS Sonoma and later

Runs on: Mac

Best for:

  • • Faster typing at no cost
  • • People who don't want another app
  • • Finishing common words and phrases
  • • Typing in English, French or Spanish

Feature Comparison

FeatureRetextmacOS Inline Predictions
Inline Autocomplete
Beta
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
macOS Inline PredictionsFreeFree, built into macOS
Included with macOS Sonoma and later

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

macOS Inline Predictions

Strengths

  • Free and already on your Mac
  • Finishes the word or phrase you're typing, in gray
  • Nothing to install, no account
  • Works in many Mac apps
  • Sits next to autocorrect and spelling and grammar checks

Weaknesses

  • Space accepts a prediction, which can add words you didn't mean
  • Only English, French and Spanish
  • On or off, with few settings
  • Predicts words and short phrases, not your saved text

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 macOS Inline Predictions if you:

  • •Need faster typing at no cost
  • •Need people who don't want another app
  • •Need finishing common words and phrases
  • •Need typing in English, French or Spanish

Switching from macOS Inline Predictions to Retext

Migration difficulty:easy

There's nothing to move. You can keep inline predictions on and use Retext as well, or turn predictions off in System Settings > Keyboard > Text Input > Edit if you prefer Retext's Tab to accept (snippet suggestions are in beta).

How It Works in Retext

Autocomplete →

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Retext and macOS Inline Predictions?

Inline predictions are free, built in and need no setup, which Retext can't match. They finish common words and phrases; Retext, in beta, suggests your own snippets and finishes triggers, with Tab to accept. The two can run together.

Is macOS Inline Predictions free?

Yes. macOS Inline Predictions's free option: included with macOS Sonoma and later. Paid: Free, built into macOS.

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 macOS Inline Predictions run on?

macOS Inline Predictions runs on Mac. Retext runs on Mac.

Should I choose macOS Inline Predictions instead of Retext?

macOS Inline Predictions is the better fit for faster typing at no cost, people who don't want another app and finishing common words and phrases. Choose Retext if you want suggestions from your own snippets.

Can I switch from macOS Inline Predictions to Retext?

There's nothing to move. You can keep inline predictions on and use Retext as well, or turn predictions off in System Settings > Keyboard > Text Input > Edit if you prefer Retext's Tab to accept (snippet suggestions are in beta).

Ready to switch from macOS Inline Predictions?

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

Download for MacView Pricing

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Sources

macOS Inline Predictions, checked October 28, 2026: Get typing suggestions on Mac · macOS feature availability

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