Retext

Retext vs Rocket Typist: A Complete Comparison

Compare Retext and Rocket Typist side-by-side. See which text expander is the best fit for your workflow.

TL;DR

Choose Retext if you want AI-powered snippet generation, a native Mac app, and straightforward pricing.

Choose Rocket Typist if you need mac users who want native performance.

Quick Comparison

Retext

AI-powered text snippet expansion for macOS with intelligent snippet generation

Pricing:

$19/month or $99/year for Pro

Free tier: 3 snippets, 5 AI generations per day

Best for:

  • • AI-powered snippet generation
  • • Native Mac performance
  • • Privacy-focused users
  • • Simple, focused workflow

Rocket Typist

Native Mac text expander with Markdown support and iCloud sync

Pricing:

$9.99/year subscription or available via Setapp

Free tier: Limited free version available

Best for:

  • Mac users who want native performance
  • Setapp subscribers looking for a text expander
  • Users who need iCloud sync
  • Writers who work with Markdown

Feature Comparison

FeatureRetextRocket Typist
Snippet Expansion
AI Generation
Not available
Variables & Placeholders
Folder Organization
Team SharingNot availableNot available
Cross-Platform
Native Performance
Privacy & Local Storage
Customization
Ease of Use

Pricing Comparison

ProductPricing ModelPriceFree Tier
RetextFreemium$19/month or $99/year for Pro
3 snippets, 5 AI generations per day
Rocket TypistFlat Rate$9.99/year subscription or available via Setapp
Limited free version available

Pros and Cons

Retext

Strengths

  • AI-powered snippet generation with Claude
  • Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) for AI - use your own API key
  • Native macOS app with exceptional performance
  • Global hotkey for instant access
  • Simple, focused interface without bloat

Weaknesses

  • Mac only (no Windows/Linux)
  • No team sharing features
  • Newer product with smaller community

Rocket Typist

Strengths

  • Native Mac app with good performance
  • Markdown snippet support
  • iCloud sync across Mac devices
  • Available via Setapp subscription bundle
  • Good variable and placeholder support

Weaknesses

  • No AI capabilities
  • Subscription model for full features
  • Mac-only (no Windows)
  • Limited compared to TextExpander's features
  • Smaller user base and community

When to Choose Each

Choose Retext if you:

  • Want AI to help generate snippets
  • Prefer native Mac apps over Electron
  • Want simple, predictable pricing
  • Value privacy and local-first storage
  • Prefer focused tools over feature-bloated apps

Choose Rocket Typist if you:

  • Need mac users who want native performance
  • Need setapp subscribers looking for a text expander
  • Need users who need icloud sync
  • Need writers who work with markdown

Switching from Rocket Typist to Retext

Migration difficulty:medium

Can export snippets, may require format conversion

Ready to switch from Rocket Typist?

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

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