Compare
Shorthand and Raycast
Raycast, by Raycast, and Shorthand side by side: what each does, what it costs, and where it runs. Facts about Raycast come from its own website, checked on November 5, 2026.
Side by side
Feature
Shorthand
Raycast
Platforms
macOS 14 or later, Apple Silicon
macOS (also Windows and iOS apps)
Price
Free download
Snippets free. Pro $10/mo or $96/yr (AI, Cloud Sync, BYOK). Teams Pro $15/user/mo or $144/user/yr
Native on Apple Silicon
yes
yes
Where it works
system-wide in all apps
system-wide via keyword auto-expansion
Fill-ins and forms
yes: fields, pop-up menus, optional sections, live preview
partial: up to 3 {argument} placeholders, with options
Date math
yes
yes (date offsets)
Script snippets
AppleScript, shell, and JavaScript
not in snippets
AI
12 providers (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, local models, and more) with your own key and a fallback
Raycast AI on paid plans (BYOK on Pro); no AI inside snippets documented
Sync
your own folder (Dropbox, iCloud Drive), optionally encrypted
Cloud Sync, Pro plan, and account required
Team sharing
no
yes: 30 shared snippets free, unlimited on Teams Pro
Account required
no
no for local snippets; yes for sync, AI, teams
Encryption or app lock
yes: AES-256 encryption and a Touch ID or password lock
no app lock documented; synced data encrypted
Per-app rules
yes, per group and per snippet, plus an app and website blocklist
yes: Disabled Applications list
Open source
no
no
Latest version
1.5.4, November 1, 2026
v2.11, 2026-11-04
Where Raycast shines
Snippets are free in a launcher many people already use
Imports from several other expanders
Shared team snippets
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.
AppleScript, shell, and JavaScript snippets, run in the background with a time limit.
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 Raycast
Directly: Raycast’s snippet export (.json). Arguments become fill-ins; 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 Raycast’s website before you decide. Spotted a mistake? Email support@shorthandexpander.com and we’ll fix it.
Raycast is a trademark of its owner. Shorthand is an independent product, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Raycast or its owner.