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Shorthand and Espanso
Espanso, by Espanso open-source project, and Shorthand side by side: what each does, what it costs, and where it runs. Facts about Espanso come from its own website, checked on November 5, 2026.
Side by side
Feature
Shorthand
Espanso
Platforms
macOS 14 or later, Apple Silicon
macOS, Windows, Linux
Price
Free download
Free and open source (GPL-3.0); optional donations
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: Form and Choice extensions
Date math
yes
yes (offset in seconds)
Script snippets
AppleScript, shell, and JavaScript
yes: Shell and Script extensions
AI
12 providers (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, local models, and more) with your own key and a fallback
none documented
Sync
your own folder (Dropbox, iCloud Drive), optionally encrypted
none built in; put the config folder in Dropbox or Git
Team sharing
no
no built-in team feature; community Espanso Hub packages
Account required
no
no
Encryption or app lock
yes: AES-256 encryption and a Touch ID or password lock
none documented; plain YAML files
Per-app rules
yes, per group and per snippet, plus an app and website blocklist
yes: app-specific config files
Open source
no
yes (GPL-3.0)
Latest version
1.5.4, November 1, 2026
v2.4.1, 2026-09-02
Where Espanso shines
Free and open source on macOS, Windows, and Linux
Powerful forms, choices, shell, and script output
Plain-text config that's easy to version
Where Shorthand is different
Optional AES-256 encryption of your library and backups, and a Touch ID or password lock.
AI built in, with your own key: rewrite selected text, AI inside snippets, and 12 providers with a fallback.
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 Espanso
Directly: a match file or the whole match folder. Forms, dates, clipboard, and cursor are converted. Choose File ▸ Import Snippets… in Shorthand. Step-by-step switching guide
Sources
Checked November 5, 2026. Prices and features change, so check Espanso’s website before you decide. Spotted a mistake? Email support@shorthandexpander.com and we’ll fix it.
Espanso is a trademark of its owner. Shorthand is an independent product, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Espanso or its owner.