Retext

Retext vs Typeahead: A Complete Comparison

Compare Retext and Typeahead 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 Typeahead if you need offline AI autocomplete.

The Short Version

Typeahead writes fuller AI suggestions than Retext, with per-app writing styles, from a local model that works offline. In beta, Retext suggests your own snippets first, adds up to eight words from Apple's on-device model when none fits, and needs no model download. Pick Typeahead for open-ended AI help, and Retext for saved wording and a text expander in one app.

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

Typeahead

Private AI autocomplete for every Mac app, running a local model on your Mac

Pricing:

$96/year, or Lifetime $149 once with every future update; monthly plan available

Runs on: Mac

Best for:

  • • Offline AI autocomplete
  • • Different writing styles in different apps
  • • Autocomplete in languages other than English
  • • Paying once instead of a subscription

Feature Comparison

FeatureRetextTypeahead
Inline Autocomplete
Beta
Snippet Expansion
Not available
Grammar & Rewriting
Not available
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
TypeaheadFlat Rate$96/year, or Lifetime $149 once with every future update; monthly plan available

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

Typeahead

Strengths

  • Local model that works offline, with no account
  • Writing styles per app, or your own in plain English
  • Reads on-screen context so replies fit the conversation
  • Suggestions follow the language you're typing in
  • Turns itself off in password managers and finance apps

Weaknesses

  • No free plan; the trial needs a card
  • Needs 8 GB of memory and about 4 GB of free space
  • Terminal and code editor support is experimental and opt-in
  • No grammar checks

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 Typeahead if you:

  • •Need offline AI autocomplete
  • •Need different writing styles in different apps
  • •Need autocomplete in languages other than English
  • •Need paying once instead of a subscription

Switching from Typeahead to Retext

Migration difficulty:easy

Typeahead doesn't store snippets. Save the phrases you repeat as Retext snippets.

How It Works in Retext

Autocomplete →

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Retext and Typeahead?

Typeahead writes fuller AI suggestions than Retext, with per-app writing styles, from a local model that works offline. In beta, Retext suggests your own snippets first, adds up to eight words from Apple's on-device model when none fits, and needs no model download. Pick Typeahead for open-ended AI help, and Retext for saved wording and a text expander in one app.

Is Typeahead free?

No. $96/year, or Lifetime $149 once with every future update; monthly plan available.

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 Typeahead run on?

Typeahead runs on Mac. Retext runs on Mac.

Should I choose Typeahead instead of Retext?

Typeahead is the better fit for offline AI autocomplete, different writing styles in different apps and autocomplete in languages other than English. Choose Retext if you want suggestions from your own snippets.

Can I switch from Typeahead to Retext?

Typeahead doesn't store snippets. Save the phrases you repeat as Retext snippets.

Ready to switch from Typeahead?

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

Download for MacView Pricing

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Sources

Typeahead, checked October 28, 2026: Typeahead

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