Text Blaze vs TextExpander: which one should you choose?
The two best-known text expanders, head to head: what each one offers, how much it costs and who it's best for.
Text Blaze and TextExpander solve the same problem: no more typing the same texts over and over. But they take different approaches. Text Blaze was born in the browser and stands out for the forms inside its snippets; TextExpander is the veteran and works on your computer, your browser and your phone.
We compared both using data from their official websites. We're the NexoPad team, so at the end we explain when a third option might suit you better, but the goal is for you to choose well, whichever you pick.
Quick summary
- Text Blaze is cheaper and stands out for advanced forms inside snippets: dropdowns, conditional rules, tables and formulas.
- TextExpander works on Windows, Mac, Chrome, iPhone and iPad, so your shortcuts follow you outside the browser.
- Free plan: Text Blaze's is more generous than TextExpander's, which only allows 5 active snippets.
- Teams: both have business plans with shared folders and user management.
Comparison table
| Text Blaze | TextExpander | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it works | Chrome extension plus Windows and macOS apps | Windows, Mac, Chrome, iPhone and iPad |
| Free plan | Yes, with limited snippets | Yes, 5 active snippets |
| Individual plan | $2.99/month (yearly) or $3.49/month | $60/year or $6/month |
| Business plan | $6.99/user/month (yearly) or $8.39/month | $120/user/year or $12/month |
| Forms and variables | Very complete: dropdowns, rules, tables and formulas | Fill-in fields, dates and conditional sections |
| Advanced features | Data Blaze data inside snippets | JavaScript snippets and scripts on macOS |
| AI | Separate product, AI Blaze | AI-recommended snippets in Chrome |
The free plans, compared
TextExpander's free plan lets you store as many snippets as you like, but only 5 can be active at once, and you can only swap which ones once every two weeks. Fine for trying it out, but short for daily use.
Text Blaze's free plan has limited snippets and some form features are Pro-only, but it gives you quite a bit more room to start. Its website doesn't publish exact free-plan numbers, so it's worth testing with your own texts.
When to choose each
Choose Text Blaze if…
You mostly work in Chrome, want very complete forms inside your templates or are looking for the cheapest paid plan.
Choose TextExpander if…
You also need your shortcuts in desktop apps or on iPhone and iPad, or you use advanced scripts on a Mac.
A third option: NexoPad
If you mostly work in the browser and want more than shortcuts, NexoPad brings together your snippets with variables, notes with reminders, links, page clips and AI in a single extension. It works on Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera and Brave, and its Pro plan costs $49 a year.
Its variables cover the most common needs, like text fields, dropdowns and dates, without the complexity of Text Blaze's forms. And it doesn't work outside the browser, the way TextExpander does.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Text Blaze or TextExpander?
Text Blaze: its individual plan costs $2.99 a month billed yearly, versus $60 a year for TextExpander.
Which one works on iPhone?
TextExpander, which has iPhone and iPad apps. Text Blaze works in Chrome and on your computer with its Windows and macOS apps.
Can I use them with a team?
Yes. Both have business plans with shared snippets and user management. NexoPad also has a Teams plan with a shared vault, roles and approvals.
Is there a free alternative to both?
NexoPad has a free plan with basic use of snippets, notes and links. If you want something completely free and don't mind configuring it with files, Espanso is open source. See more options in our list of the best text expanders.
Published on October 11, 20267 min read
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