TextExpander vs Raycast 2026: Text Snippets vs Launcher
Quick Verdict
Choose TextExpander if snippets are mission-critical for your team and you need cross-platform. Choose Raycast if you're on Mac and want free snippets as part of a broader productivity tool.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | TextExpander | Raycast |
|---|---|---|
| Text Expansion | ✅ Purpose-built | ✅ Included free |
| Cross-Platform | ✅ Mac, Win, iOS, Chrome | ❌ macOS only |
| Team Sharing | ✅ Built-in | ⚠️ Pro plan only |
| Fill-in Forms | ✅ Advanced | ❌ |
| Date/Time Variables | ✅ Full support | ✅ Basic |
| Clipboard History | ❌ | ✅ Built-in |
| App Launcher | ❌ | ✅ Core feature |
| AI Integration | ❌ | ✅ AI chat |
| Analytics | ✅ Usage stats | ❌ |
| Price | $3.33/mo | Free (Pro: $8/mo) |
TextExpander
Type less, communicate more with text snippets and templates
Strengths
- Cross-platform (Mac, Windows, iOS, Chrome)
- Team snippet sharing
- Fill-in forms and date variables
- Usage analytics
- Enterprise features (SSO, audit logs)
Weaknesses
- Subscription only ($3.33/mo+)
- Single-purpose tool
- Mobile experience is limited
Best for: Support teams, sales teams, and anyone who types the same things repeatedly
Raycast
A blazingly fast launcher for macOS with built-in snippets
Strengths
- Free snippets and text expansion
- Launcher, calculator, clipboard history
- Extensions marketplace
- AI chat built-in
- Window management
Weaknesses
- macOS only
- Snippets are less powerful than TextExpander
- No team sharing on free plan
- Not a dedicated snippet tool
Best for: Mac developers who want a Swiss Army knife productivity tool with basic snippets
Pricing
| Tier | TextExpander | Raycast |
|---|---|---|
| Free | N/A — 30-day trial | $0 (includes snippets) |
| Individual | $3.33/mo | $0 (free forever) |
| Team/Pro | $8.33/user/mo | $8/mo |
| Enterprise | Custom | $Custom |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Raycast's snippet feature as good as TextExpander?
For basic text expansion, yes. But TextExpander offers fill-in forms, team sharing, usage analytics, and cross-platform support that Raycast can't match.
Does TextExpander work on Windows?
Yes. TextExpander has a native Windows app, Chrome extension, and iOS app. Raycast is macOS-only.
Is Raycast free?
Yes, Raycast is free for personal use including snippets, launcher, clipboard history, and basic AI. Pro features like unlimited AI and team sharing cost $8/mo.
Can I use both?
Technically yes, but it's redundant for snippets. If you're on Mac, try Raycast first (it's free). If you need advanced features like fill-in forms or team sharing, add TextExpander.
Which saves more time?
TextExpander reports an average of 30 hours saved per year per user. Raycast doesn't track snippet usage, but its launcher features (clipboard history, window management, calculations) add extra time savings.
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