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Shorthand and Typinator
Typinator, by Ergonis Software, and Shorthand side by side: what each does, what it costs, and where it runs. Facts about Typinator come from its own website, checked on November 5, 2026.
Side by side
Feature
Shorthand
Typinator
Platforms
macOS 14 or later, Apple Silicon
macOS; iPhone/iPad (subscription); Windows in beta
Price
Free download
Basic $59.99 one-time (Mac, private use, current major version); Advanced $39.99/year (Mac + iOS, private use); Business $79.99/year per user; Enterprise on request
Native on Apple Silicon
yes
yes
Where it works
system-wide in all apps
system-wide in all apps
Fill-ins and forms
yes: fields, pop-up menus, optional sections, live preview
yes: forms with pop-up menus and input fields
Date math
yes
yes
Script snippets
AppleScript, shell, and JavaScript
yes: AppleScript, Python, shell, and more
AI
12 providers (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, local models, and more) with your own key and a fallback
stored prompts for ChatGPT/Gemini/Claude; Apple Intelligence integration
Sync
your own folder (Dropbox, iCloud Drive), optionally encrypted
your choice: iCloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV
Team sharing
no
yes: shared and subscribed sets
Account required
no
yes, to unlock the full version
Encryption or app lock
yes: AES-256 encryption and a Touch ID or password lock
none found
Per-app rules
yes, per group and per snippet, plus an app and website blocklist
yes (seen in the app)
Open source
no
no
Latest version
1.5.4, November 1, 2026
Mac 10.3, 2026-10-12
Where Typinator shines
One-time purchase option on Mac
Many script languages and flexible sync
Built-in importer for TextExpander and others
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.
Opens a TextExpander library directly, fill-ins and all, if you’re coming from there too.
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 Typinator
From Typinator’s tab-separated or CSV export, with dates, date math, the clipboard, the cursor, and simple input fields converted. Choose File ▸ Import Snippets… in Shorthand. Step-by-step switching guide
Sources
Checked November 5, 2026. Prices and features change, so check Typinator’s website before you decide. Spotted a mistake? Email support@shorthandexpander.com and we’ll fix it.
Typinator is a trademark of its owner. Shorthand is an independent product, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Typinator or its owner.