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Shorthand and TextExpander
TextExpander, by TextExpander, Inc., and Shorthand side by side: what each does, what it costs, and where it runs. Facts about TextExpander come from its own website, checked on November 5, 2026.
Side by side
Feature
Shorthand
TextExpander
Platforms
macOS 14 or later, Apple Silicon
macOS, Windows, iPhone, iPad, Chrome extension
Price
Free download
Free (5 active snippets); Pro $6/user/month or $60/user/year (up to 5 users); Business $12/user/month or $120/user/year; Enterprise custom; 30-day preview of paid features
Native on Apple Silicon
yes
yes
Where it works
system-wide in all apps
system-wide on Mac and Windows; Chrome extension; iOS keyboard
Fill-ins and forms
yes: fields, pop-up menus, optional sections, live preview
yes, including optional, and conditional sections
Date math
yes
yes (Pro and above)
Script snippets
AppleScript, shell, and JavaScript
JavaScript; AppleScript and shell on Mac (Pro and above)
AI
12 providers (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, local models, and more) with your own key and a fallback
AI Recommended Snippets (Chrome); MCP access for AI agents; no bring-your-own-key AI in the Mac app found
Sync
your own folder (Dropbox, iCloud Drive), optionally encrypted
TextExpander's cloud, account required
Team sharing
no
yes: teams on every plan, more on Business
Account required
no
yes
Encryption or app lock
yes: AES-256 encryption and a Touch ID or password lock
vendor says data is encrypted (SOC 3); no local app lock found
Per-app rules
yes, per group and per snippet, plus an app and website blocklist
yes
Open source
no
no
Latest version
1.5.4, November 1, 2026
Mac 8.4.8, 2026-09-28
Where TextExpander shines
Widest platform coverage (Mac, Windows, iOS, Chrome)
Mature team sharing and admin features
Rich fill-ins and script snippets
Where Shorthand is different
No account and no cloud of ours: your snippets stay on your Mac, or in a folder you choose.
Optional AES-256 encryption of your library and backups, and a Touch ID or password lock.
A privacy blocklist: Shorthand stops listening completely in password managers and on sites you block, and asks before working in a new app.
Shorthand’s limits, to be fair
Mac only, and only Macs with Apple Silicon (M1 or newer).
No iPhone or iPad app.
No team sharing: a synced folder works for one person’s Macs.
Sync uses a folder you provide (Dropbox or iCloud Drive), not a built-in cloud service.
Moving from TextExpander
Directly: Settings.textexpander, group files, and backups, including fill-ins and dates. Choose File ▸ Import Snippets… in Shorthand. Step-by-step switching guide
Sources
Checked November 5, 2026. Prices and features change, so check TextExpander’s website before you decide. Spotted a mistake? Email support@shorthandexpander.com and we’ll fix it.
TextExpander is a trademark of its owner. Shorthand is an independent product, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by TextExpander or its owner.