aText
Tran Ky Nam Software
aText is a text expansion tool for Mac and Windows that accelerates your typing by replacing abbreviations with frequently used phrases you define, saving you time and effort.
User Sentiments
Top Likes
- Saves time and keystrokes
- Easy to use and setup
- Works in any application
- One-time purchase option available
Top Dislikes
- User interface could be improved (in newer versions)
- No iOS app
- Occasional issues with snippet expansion
Popular Comments
Reddit User - m4ximillion
2021-09-12
Shoutout to $5 aText, a autocomplete brilliant app ... I use it probably 70-100 times a day. It autocompletes anything you want... anything that you need to type out many times a month and want to instead create a simple shortcut for it.
Product Hunt - First Last
2023
Saves. So. Many. Keystrokes. Seriously - between this & my bar code scanner/custom bar code software, this is a huge game changer for workflow. and it's quite easy to use.
Product Hunt - Nagarjun Palavalli
2018
Started using aText after Text Expanded moved to an obscenely expensive subscription model. Can't complain. It works perfectly.
MacUpdate User - Charles Thomas
2024
Amazing experience.
Product Hunt - Rui Damasio
2024
It was once an indispensable program on any Mac. Today, with the new design, completely alien to the Apple user interface, it has become unusable in my case.
G2 User
2025
AText makes it very simple to create keyboard shortcuts and small phrases that will auto-populate commonly used pieces of text. ... I also love that it is compatible with Mac OS since that is my primary workstation.
Detailed Review
aText is a utility application designed for macOS and Windows that enhances typing efficiency through text expansion. It allows users to define abbreviations that automatically expand into frequently used phrases, sentences, paragraphs, or even images and formatted text. This helps users avoid repetitive typing, saving time and effort across various applications. While initially offered at a lower price point, aText remains a cost-effective alternative to more expensive text expansion software.
Standout Features
- Text Expansion: Replace abbreviations with longer phrases instantly in any application.
- Rich Text and Images: Insert formatted text, images, and attachments using shortcuts.
- Auto-Correction: Automatically correct capitalization, double capitals, and misspellings.
- Date/Time Functions: Insert current or future/past dates and times in customizable formats.
- Scripting: Supports AppleScript, Shell Script, JavaScript, VBScript and more for advanced automation.
- Cloud Sync: Sync snippets across multiple computers via iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, or shared network folders.
- Built-in Snippets: Includes pre-built snippet groups for common misspellings, HTML, JavaScript, and emojis.
- Import/Export: Import data from other text expansion apps like TextExpander and export/import CSV files.
- Portable Mode: Option to create a portable version for use on different machines without installation.
Conclusion
aText is a powerful and user-friendly text expansion tool suitable for anyone who frequently types repetitive text. Its versatility, with features like rich text support, scripting, and cloud syncing, makes it a valuable asset for improving productivity. While some users have noted minor UI concerns in newer versions and the lack of an iOS app, the core functionality remains robust and reliable. The one-time purchase option and free trial make aText an attractive choice compared to subscription-based alternatives. It is especially beneficial for writers, programmers, customer support professionals, or anyone looking to streamline their typing workflow on macOS and Windows.
