Raycast vs TextExpander

Raycast

• Mac and Windows users who prefer the keyboard to the mouse
• Replacing separate clipboard, snippet and window utilities with one app
• Developers who want to build their own commands and extensions
• Teams that share snippets, quicklinks and internal extensions

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

Raycast

• AI is not part of the free plan; Raycast AI, cloud sync and unlimited notes need Pro.
• The free plan keeps 3 months of clipboard history and allows 5 Raycast Notes.
• Top-tier AI models need the Plus or Max tier, at $20 or $50 a month.
• The Windows app does not yet have every macOS feature; Raycast says it is still bringing them across.

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.

Raycast

Launcher with hotkeys and aliases

Open apps, search files and run commands from one keyboard-driven window, and assign hotkeys or aliases to the commands and apps you use most.

Extension store

Thousands of extensions for tools such as Linear, Slack, Notion and Spotify. The extension API lets anyone with web development skills build their own.

Clipboard history, snippets, quicklinks

Built-in utilities included in the free plan. Free keeps clipboard history for 3 months.

Window management

Window management commands are part of the free core features; creating custom window management commands needs Pro.

Raycast AI

Pro adds Quick AI and AI Chat on a monthly credit allowance. A browser extension for Safari, Chrome, Firefox and Chromium browsers passes the active tab to the AI.

Notes and iOS companion app

Raycast Notes captures quick thoughts: 5 notes on Free and unlimited on Pro. The iOS app carries AI, notes, snippets and quicklinks; syncing them across devices needs Pro.

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.

Raycast

• Free$0

  Core launcher features, thousands of extensions, custom extensions, 3 months of clipboard history and 5 Raycast Notes. No AI.

• Pro$96

  per year, or $10 / month billed monthly

  Raycast AI with 500 credits a month, cloud sync, dictation, translator, custom themes, unlimited notes and custom window management commands.

• Pro (Plus tier)$192

  per year, or $20 / month billed monthly

  Pro features with 3,000 AI credits a month and access to top-tier AI models.

• Pro (Max tier)$480

  per year, or $50 / month billed monthly

  Pro features with 7,500 AI credits a month and access to top-tier AI models.

• Teams Pro$144

  per user / year, or $15 / user / month billed monthly

  Pro for each member plus unlimited shared commands and a private store. Plus and Max tiers cost more; a free Teams plan caps sharing at 30 snippets and 30 quicklinks.

• EnterpriseCustom

  Teams Pro plus an AI Control Center and admin controls such as SAML/SCIM, domain capture, enforced 2FA and extension and IP allow-lists.

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.

Raycast

• Annual discount

  Annual billing saves 20%

  Pro is $96 a year against $10 a month, which is $120 over twelve months. Teams Pro is $144 per user a year against $15 per user a month. Both work out 20% cheaper.

• Education

  50% off Pro for verified students

  Raycast's pricing FAQ says verified students get a 50% discount on the Pro plan through an application form.

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.