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Shorthand and PhraseExpress
PhraseExpress, by Bartels Media GmbH, and Shorthand side by side: what each does, what it costs, and where it runs. Facts about PhraseExpress come from its own website, checked on November 5, 2026.
Side by side
Feature
Shorthand
PhraseExpress
Platforms
macOS 14 or later, Apple Silicon
Windows, Mac, free iPhone/iPad companion
Price
Free download
Mac Standard, Professional, and Enterprise editions, one-time license per user with 12 months of updates (prices not shown publicly); free for personal home use after a 30-day trial
Native on Apple Silicon
yes
unverified
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 (Professional and up on Mac)
Date math
yes
yes
Script snippets
AppleScript, shell, and JavaScript
its own macro language; no AppleScript or JavaScript
AI
12 providers (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, local models, and more) with your own key and a fallback
yes: AI rewriting with your own OpenAI/OpenRouter key or local Ollama (Enterprise on Mac)
Sync
your own folder (Dropbox, iCloud Drive), optionally encrypted
a shared file in a cloud folder, NAS, or SQL Server
Team sharing
no
yes
Account required
no
no
Encryption or app lock
yes: AES-256 encryption and a Touch ID or password lock
none documented
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 7.0.41, 2026-10-26
Where PhraseExpress shines
One-time license, no subscription
Deep macros, forms, and document generation
Self-hosted sharing with per-app rules
Where Shorthand is different
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 PhraseExpress
PhraseExpress doesn’t export its library in a format other apps can read, so phrases have to be copied over by hand. Step-by-step switching guide
Sources
Checked November 5, 2026. Prices and features change, so check PhraseExpress’s website before you decide. Spotted a mistake? Email support@shorthandexpander.com and we’ll fix it.
PhraseExpress is a trademark of its owner. Shorthand is an independent product, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by PhraseExpress or its owner.