TextExpander vs Espanso

These two shorten typing in very different ways. TextExpander is a per-user subscription from TextExpander, Inc. that keeps one snippet library synced across Mac, Windows, Chrome, iPhone and iPad, with sharing controls for teams. Espanso is a GPL-3 open source tool for Windows, Linux and macOS whose settings live in files, with no price on the pages we read beyond an optional donation. Paying buys you sync, an admin layer and named integrations. Not paying buys you scripting freedom, but also a setup you must build and share yourself.

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Both are reviewed in full in our text expander software ranking: TextExpander and Espanso.

1. 01

   Five snippets before the free plan runs dry

   TextExpander's Free plan at $0 allows 5 active snippets, one snippet swap every 2 weeks and no activity history, so a busy desk hits the ceiling fast. Pro lifts the snippet and team count to unlimited. Espanso's pages we read show no plans, no snippet cap and no paid tier at all, only a Donate link. For someone who simply wants a large personal library at no charge, Espanso has no ceiling to hit.

   Edge: Espanso

2. 02

   One library on iPhone, iPad and the Chrome extension

   A single TextExpander account works across Mac, Windows, the Chrome extension, iPhone and iPad on every plan, with an Android version listed as beta. Espanso lists Windows, Linux and macOS and nothing for phones or tablets. Anyone who types replies on an iPad between meetings, or needs snippets inside browser forms on a locked-down machine, gets a much wider reach from TextExpander.

   Edge: TextExpander

3. 03

   Scripts, shell commands and forms that feed them

   Espanso runs shell commands and scripts, offers forms that pass the values you type into those scripts, and adds dynamic dates and emojis plus community packages from the Espanso Hub. TextExpander's Pro plan adds date math and JavaScript snippets, which is narrower and sits behind a paid tier. For a developer who wants a snippet to call a local program, Espanso goes further and costs nothing on the pages we read.

   Edge: Espanso

4. 04

   Handing the library to a department

   Business removes the 5-team-member limit, adds Snippet Requests, guest sharing and Google SSO, and Enterprise adds SCIM, granular sharing controls, custom reporting and invoiced billing. Espanso's pages we read describe no team library and no admin console, so a department must distribute its own configuration files. Once more than a handful of people share snippets, TextExpander does the organising that Espanso leaves to you.

   Edge: TextExpander

5. 05

   Cost to try it, and the tax line at checkout

   TextExpander gives new sign-ups a 30-day preview of advanced features, then moves the account to Free and keeps all snippets, with no credit card needed for Free. Pro lists $6 a month or $60 a year per seat, Business $12 or $120, excluding tax, and the page adds an estimated 20% VAT or GST for some non-US buyers. The page also shows $5 and $10 FAQ figures it does not explain. Espanso names no price anywhere we looked.

   Edge: Espanso

6. 06

   Who stands behind the software

   TextExpander, Inc. is named as a Delaware corporation with a San Francisco address for legal notices, though the pages we read name no parent and no hosting model or licence. Espanso is credited to one developer, Federico Terzi, under GPL-3, and the pages give no company or country. You can contact a company at TextExpander but read the source for Espanso; neither is clearly stronger on accountability.

   Depends on the buyer

Does TextExpander keep my snippets if I stop paying after the preview?

After the 30-day preview of advanced features, a new account moves to the Free plan automatically and keeps all its snippets. Only five of them stay active on Free, according to the pricing page. Pro or Business restores unlimited active snippets.

Can Espanso be rolled out to a whole support team without a console?

The pages we read describe no team library, admin console or sharing controls, so you would copy configuration files to each person yourself.

Community packages come from the Espanso Hub, which helps with shared building blocks. A graphical interface is described as planned but not yet available.

Is the TextExpander price really $6 for Pro, or $5?

The plan cards show Pro listed at $6 monthly per seat, or $60 per seat on an annual plan.

The FAQ on the same page gives $5 for Pro and $10 for Business, and the page does not explain the difference. Confirm the figure with the vendor before committing a budget.

• TextExpander pricing: Plan cards, free-plan snippet cap, trial, platform list, integrations, Business and Enterprise controls, and the unexplained $5 and $10 FAQ figures.
• TextExpander terms: Delaware corporation with a San Francisco legal-notice address, no parent named.
• TextExpander about: Copyright line only, no headquarters or owner stated.
• Espanso home: Platforms, donation link, shell commands, forms, Hub packages, file-based setup and planned GUI, named developer.
• Espanso repository: GPL-3.0 licence in readme and LICENSE file.