Alfred vs TextExpander

Alfred

• Mac users who want a keyboard launcher without a subscription
• People who automate repetitive tasks with their own workflows
• Buyers who want to pay once, with optional lifetime upgrades

TextExpander

• Support and sales teams that send the same replies many times a day
• Individuals who retype the same emails, addresses or code fragments
• Teams that need the same approved wording on Mac and Windows

Alfred

• macOS only (10.14 or later). Alfred Remote for iOS is a separate purchase on the App Store.
• Clipboard history, snippets, workflows and file actions all require the paid Powerpack.
• Prices are shown in pounds sterling only; the vendor's site gives no US dollar price.
• The Single License is tied to Alfred 5; moving to a later major version is a discounted paid upgrade unless you hold Mega Supporter.

TextExpander

• The free plan keeps only 5 snippets active at a time, with 1 swap every 2 weeks.
• Pro is limited to 5 users; larger teams need Business at $10 per user a month billed annually.
• The download page lists Mac, Windows, iPhone, iPad and a Chrome extension; no Android or Linux app is listed.
• Single sign-on starts on Business with Google only; other SSO providers and SCIM need Enterprise.

Alfred

App, file and web search

Launch apps, find files on your Mac and search websites with default or custom search keywords, all from one search bar.

Workflows

A Powerpack feature that connects triggers and actions like building blocks to automate tasks without code. Thousands of community workflows can be imported.

Clipboard History

With the Powerpack, Alfred keeps the text, images and file links you copy for 24 hours, 7 days, 1 month or 3 months, so an earlier item can be found and pasted again.

Snippets and text expansion

With the Powerpack, saved snippets expand automatically when you type a short keyword.

File actions and Terminal commands

The Powerpack adds actions on files, such as emailing, moving, copying and revealing in Finder, and runs Terminal commands and scripts from Alfred.

System commands and hotkeys

Sleep the Mac, empty the Trash or start the screensaver with a keyword. The Powerpack adds custom hotkeys and keywords for apps and sites.

TextExpander

Snippets and abbreviations

Save text you type often as a snippet, then insert it by typing its abbreviation or by searching snippet titles and content inline.

Fill-ins and dynamic content

Snippets can prompt for fill-in-the-blank fields and nest other snippets. Date and time math and JavaScript snippets are part of the paid plans.

Rich text snippets

Snippets can carry images, fonts, colors and links, or take on the formatting of the place where they expand.

Shared snippet groups

Share groups of snippets with a team and set who can view, edit or manage them. Free and Pro allow 5 team members; Business removes the limit.

AI Recommendations

In the Chrome extension, TextExpander suggests relevant snippets from your library based on what you are working on.

Statistics

Reports snippets expanded and an estimate of hours and dollars saved. Organization-wide statistics come with Business and Enterprise.

Alfred

• Alfred (free)£0

  The core launcher for searching your Mac and the web. Free to use in a personal, educational or business setting.

• Powerpack Single License£34

  one-time purchase, license for Alfred 5

  Unlocks the Powerpack for one user on Alfred 5: workflows, clipboard history, snippets, file actions, themes and settings sync.

• Powerpack Mega Supporter£59

  one-time purchase, free lifetime upgrades

  The same Powerpack features for one user, with free upgrades to future versions of Alfred.

TextExpander

• Free$0

  5 active snippets, unlimited stored snippets, 1 snippet swap every 2 weeks, and up to 5 team members across 3 teams.

• Pro$5

  per user / month, billed annually ($60), or $6 billed monthly

  Unlimited active snippets for up to 5 users, unlimited teams, and dynamic content such as date math and JavaScript snippets.

• Business$10

  per user / month, billed annually ($120), or $12 billed monthly

  Unlimited team members, organization statistics, 7 days of snippet activity history, Google SSO and guest sharing.

• EnterpriseCustom

  Business features plus advanced security and admin controls, unlimited activity history, all SSO providers with SCIM, and custom reporting.

Alfred

• Lifetime license

  Mega Supporter license with free lifetime upgrades

  The £59 Mega Supporter license includes free upgrades to future versions of Alfred. The £34 Single License covers Alfred 5.

• Other savings

  Upgrade discount for older licenses

  Holders of a Single User or Family license for an earlier version of Alfred can upgrade to the current Powerpack at a discount.

TextExpander

• Annual discount

  Two months free with annual billing

  Pro is $60 per user a year when billed annually, against $6 per user a month on monthly billing. Business is $120 a year against $12 a month.