Espanso vs Text Blaze

Espanso

• People who move between Windows, macOS and Linux and want one text expander
• Developers who want snippets that run shell commands or scripts
• Users who prefer snippets stored locally in plain files

Text Blaze

• People who type the same replies all day in Gmail, LinkedIn or a CRM in Chrome
• Support, sales and recruiting teams that share a library of standard messages
• Templates that need form fields, calculations or if/then logic

Espanso

• There is no graphical editor: snippets and settings are written in YAML files. The site says a GUI is planned.
• Sync is manual. The docs describe moving the configuration folder into a cloud folder such as Dropbox and linking to it.
• It supports Windows, macOS and Linux only; the installation page lists no mobile apps.
• Wayland support on Linux is labeled experimental in the project's README.

Text Blaze

• The plans page says only that Free has limited snippets; a 2024 staff post on the vendor's forum put the cap at 20 active snippets.
• Tables, images, formulas, conditional rules and full form fields need Pro or a higher plan.
• Desktop apps exist only for Windows and macOS. There are no mobile apps, and Safari and Firefox users are pointed to the desktop apps.
• SAML SSO, SCIM and event audit logs are limited to the Enterprise plan, which is priced on request.

Espanso

Keyword-triggered expansion

Detects a trigger keyword as it is typed and replaces it in place, in most applications. Triggers can also be written as regular expressions.

Search bar

Pressing ALT+Space opens a search bar for finding and inserting a snippet when you do not remember its trigger.

Dates, shell commands and scripts

Snippets can insert past or future dates and the output of shell commands or custom scripts directly into the application being typed in.

Forms

A match can open a form with text fields, choice boxes and list boxes. The values entered fill the template and can be passed on to a script.

Packages and Espanso Hub

A built-in package manager installs community packages from the Espanso Hub, such as emoji, accents, mathematical symbols and HTML snippets.

File-based, app-specific configuration

Matches and options are defined in YAML files, and separate configuration files can change or disable behavior for individual applications.

Text Blaze

Snippets and shortcuts

Save any text as a snippet and give it a shortcut such as /ty; typing the shortcut inserts the text. Rich formatting is on every plan, tables and images from Pro.

Forms and dynamic commands

Snippets can ask for values in form fields, run formulas, show different text by rule and insert shifted dates. Forms, formulas and rules need Pro; Free can test form fields.

Autopilot

A snippet can click elements on a page and simulate key presses such as Tab, to carry out steps of an in-page workflow. It is included on every plan.

Shared folders

A folder of snippets can be shared with owner, editor and viewer roles, and edits reach everyone who has it. Sharing is limited on Free and unlimited on Business.

Data Blaze tables

Data Blaze is a companion spreadsheet and database app. From Pro, snippets can read and update its tables; row limits run from 10,000 per space on Free to 250,000 on Business.

Team management and reporting

Business adds user roles, teams, organization-wide default folders, comment threads and usage analytics. Enterprise adds SAML SSO, SCIM and audit logs.

Espanso

• Espanso$0

  The complete text expander for Windows, macOS and Linux, including the search bar, forms, scripts and the package manager.

Text Blaze

• Free$0

  Limited snippets and snippet sharing, rich formatting, Autopilot, the ability to test form fields, and Data Blaze access.

• Pro$2.99

  per month, billed yearly, or $3.49 billed monthly

  For individuals: double the snippet sharing, full forms, images and tables, formulas, if/then rules, and reading and updating Data Blaze data.

• Business$6.99

  per user / month, billed yearly, or $8.39 billed monthly

  Unlimited snippet sharing, centralized user management and roles, teams, default folders, change history and organization-wide usage analytics.

• EnterpriseCustom

  SAML SSO and SCIM, event audit logs, domain auto-join, user training and implementation consulting. Priced on request.

Espanso

No public discounts listed.

Text Blaze

• Annual discount

  Lower monthly rate with yearly billing

  Billed yearly, Pro is $2.99 a month instead of $3.49 (about 14% less) and Business is $6.99 per user a month instead of $8.39 (about 17% less).

• Education

  50% off the Business plan for educators

  Text Blaze's page for teachers advertises an education discount of 50% off the Business plan.