API Keys Setup Help
Here’s the core issue I’m running into.
A lot of macOS apps and Raycast extensions use AI for things like rewriting text, renaming files, or adding context, but almost all of them require an OpenAI or OpenAI compatible API key. My experience with AI is basically just using ChatGPT through the website, so the whole API side of things is pretty foreign to me.
I’ve heard that apps like Osaurus and Llamabarn can download models, run them locally, and expose an OpenAI compatible API with a local key. If that’s true, my understanding is that I should be able to run a local model, generate a compatible API key, and then plug that into these apps or Raycast extensions.
The problem is that I can’t find clear, practical guidance on how to actually set this up end to end. If anyone has experience doing this, or can explain whether my understanding is even correct, I’d really appreciate the help.
https://redd.it/1prll0c
@macappsbackup
Here’s the core issue I’m running into.
A lot of macOS apps and Raycast extensions use AI for things like rewriting text, renaming files, or adding context, but almost all of them require an OpenAI or OpenAI compatible API key. My experience with AI is basically just using ChatGPT through the website, so the whole API side of things is pretty foreign to me.
I’ve heard that apps like Osaurus and Llamabarn can download models, run them locally, and expose an OpenAI compatible API with a local key. If that’s true, my understanding is that I should be able to run a local model, generate a compatible API key, and then plug that into these apps or Raycast extensions.
The problem is that I can’t find clear, practical guidance on how to actually set this up end to end. If anyone has experience doing this, or can explain whether my understanding is even correct, I’d really appreciate the help.
https://redd.it/1prll0c
@macappsbackup
Reddit
From the macapps community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the macapps community
Pearl app removed from App Store (anyone have a copy?)
I was heavily using this app that shows your camera on your screen https://www.thnkdev.com/Pearl/ but now realizing it is gone from AppStore after moving to a new machine. Does anyone here have it installed by any chance? I'd love to get a ZIP/dmg of it so I can install locally.
https://redd.it/1prrfv7
@macappsbackup
I was heavily using this app that shows your camera on your screen https://www.thnkdev.com/Pearl/ but now realizing it is gone from AppStore after moving to a new machine. Does anyone here have it installed by any chance? I'd love to get a ZIP/dmg of it so I can install locally.
https://redd.it/1prrfv7
@macappsbackup
Thnkdev
Pearl - See yourself in your menubar
Pearl is the quickest way to see your reflection, with just a tap in your menubar. The best mirror app for Mac is made with love in sunny Santa Monica by ThnkDev.
I built a cool app to create pitchdecks (on your mobile)
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1plo6hh
https://redd.it/1prsebd
@macappsbackup
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1plo6hh
https://redd.it/1prsebd
@macappsbackup
Reddit
From the ProductivityApps community on Reddit: I built a cool app to create pitchdecks (on your mobile)
Explore this post and more from the ProductivityApps community
Can someone tell me how much Mela for Mac costs now?
I have purchased it already, so cannot see the price, because the price is not listed here , it just says "see on Mac App store" where of course it still doesnt tell me the price.
I'm looking to gift someone the cost of the app, but cant do that if I dont know what it is these days.
Thanks in advance.
https://redd.it/1prthxn
@macappsbackup
I have purchased it already, so cannot see the price, because the price is not listed here , it just says "see on Mac App store" where of course it still doesnt tell me the price.
I'm looking to gift someone the cost of the app, but cant do that if I dont know what it is these days.
Thanks in advance.
https://redd.it/1prthxn
@macappsbackup
App Store
Mela – Recipe Manager App - App Store
Download Mela – Recipe Manager by Silvio Rizzi on the App Store. See screenshots, ratings and reviews, user tips, and more games like Mela – Recipe Manager.
AppDecoder helps you make sense of the app sprawl on your Mac.
https://github.com/Fusion/appdecoder-official
https://redd.it/1prula2
@macappsbackup
https://github.com/Fusion/appdecoder-official
https://redd.it/1prula2
@macappsbackup
GitHub
GitHub - Fusion/appdecoder-official: Support for the AppDecoder application
Support for the AppDecoder application. Contribute to Fusion/appdecoder-official development by creating an account on GitHub.
In search of the perfect trannoscription tool + archiving (Alter vs MacWhisper vs MeetingMind vs Highlights)
Hi! Over the past two months I’ve been on a bit of a journey trying to find the right trannoscription setup for my workflow. I’ve even bought a few lifetime licenses to ensure I benchmark these app. Unfortunately, there's currently no one 'perfect' app.
What I’m looking for
\- Automatically record / suggest and transcribe remote meetings (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, etc.)
\- Good diarization: speaker separation/identification, and the ability to rename speakers
\- Ability to edit both speaker labels and the trannoscript itself
\- Summaries generated from prompt templates, ideally on the same page as the trannoscript
\- Automatic export into an Obsidian folder, using a predefined noscript format, e.g.:
`MM.DD.YYYY [summary-noscript-based-on-template\]`
example: `12-25-25 Standup Product Roadmap`
What I’ve tried
MacWhisper
Currently the front‑runner for me, mainly because of how it manages trannoscripts and integrates with Obsidian.
Pros
\- Can edit both trannoscripts and speaker names (though bulk editing could be better).
\- Edit and then push to Obsidian is straightforward and works well.
\- Automatic push trannoscripts to Obsidian without manual editing.
Cons
\- That automatic export is currently just one big block of text; dev says this is being improved.
\- No built‑in way to automatically append a summary to the *same* trannoscript.
\- Not great at automatically detecting and capturing meetings compared to some other tools
\- Major bug with duplicated trannoscripts when using unsupported browsers (I use Vivaldi).
\- Because of this, I use Alter to record, then send the audio to MacWhisper.
Alter
Alter offer broader AI function than “just” a trannoscription app and part of my current system.
Pros
\- Can automatically recognize speaker names and lets you edit them.
\- Picks up meetings reliably.
\- YouTube trannoscription support is a plus
\- I grabbed the Black Friday deal, which lets me plug in my own APIs (unlike Highlights).
Cons
\- You *can’t* edit the actual trannoscript text, only names.
\- Stability issues: renaming a trannoscript noscript has, in some cases, deleted the trannoscript.
\- Exporting to Obsidian takes 3–4 steps, which is tedious, so I have audio from Alter push to MacWhisper instead.
Plus: They do have great support and are actively improving the product, especially outside the core trannoscription use case, which I’m excited about.
***Highlights.ai***
I’ve used Highlights for about a year, but I’m a lot less happy with it now.
Pros
\- Decent trannoscription, but least accurate (can't use local models)
\- Automatically adds a summary and analysis right after each call,very convenient.
\- Daily and weekly summaries used to be nice (but now under paywall)
Cons
\- Trannoscript accuracy isn’t as good as the others (can't use local models - not a fan now I've been using Parakeet models)
\- No option to use a local model.
\- No proper export function (despite lots of user requests), so I now have to manually copy/paste a year’s worth of trannoscripts into Obsidian.
\- Daily/weekly summaries and API key access are now paywalled.
MeetingMind (considering, not used yet)
On paper, this seems to have the cleanest Obsidian export story, but its trannoscription management looks weaker than MacWhisper and Alter.
If anyone has a setup that:
1. Captures meetings reliably,
2. Does solid diarization,
3. Lets you edit both speakers and text,
4. Summarizes based on templates, and
5. Exports cleanly into Obsidian with a custom noscript forma
I’d really love to hear about it. Thanks!!
https://redd.it/1prw9j5
@macappsbackup
Hi! Over the past two months I’ve been on a bit of a journey trying to find the right trannoscription setup for my workflow. I’ve even bought a few lifetime licenses to ensure I benchmark these app. Unfortunately, there's currently no one 'perfect' app.
What I’m looking for
\- Automatically record / suggest and transcribe remote meetings (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, etc.)
\- Good diarization: speaker separation/identification, and the ability to rename speakers
\- Ability to edit both speaker labels and the trannoscript itself
\- Summaries generated from prompt templates, ideally on the same page as the trannoscript
\- Automatic export into an Obsidian folder, using a predefined noscript format, e.g.:
`MM.DD.YYYY [summary-noscript-based-on-template\]`
example: `12-25-25 Standup Product Roadmap`
What I’ve tried
MacWhisper
Currently the front‑runner for me, mainly because of how it manages trannoscripts and integrates with Obsidian.
Pros
\- Can edit both trannoscripts and speaker names (though bulk editing could be better).
\- Edit and then push to Obsidian is straightforward and works well.
\- Automatic push trannoscripts to Obsidian without manual editing.
Cons
\- That automatic export is currently just one big block of text; dev says this is being improved.
\- No built‑in way to automatically append a summary to the *same* trannoscript.
\- Not great at automatically detecting and capturing meetings compared to some other tools
\- Major bug with duplicated trannoscripts when using unsupported browsers (I use Vivaldi).
\- Because of this, I use Alter to record, then send the audio to MacWhisper.
Alter
Alter offer broader AI function than “just” a trannoscription app and part of my current system.
Pros
\- Can automatically recognize speaker names and lets you edit them.
\- Picks up meetings reliably.
\- YouTube trannoscription support is a plus
\- I grabbed the Black Friday deal, which lets me plug in my own APIs (unlike Highlights).
Cons
\- You *can’t* edit the actual trannoscript text, only names.
\- Stability issues: renaming a trannoscript noscript has, in some cases, deleted the trannoscript.
\- Exporting to Obsidian takes 3–4 steps, which is tedious, so I have audio from Alter push to MacWhisper instead.
Plus: They do have great support and are actively improving the product, especially outside the core trannoscription use case, which I’m excited about.
***Highlights.ai***
I’ve used Highlights for about a year, but I’m a lot less happy with it now.
Pros
\- Decent trannoscription, but least accurate (can't use local models)
\- Automatically adds a summary and analysis right after each call,very convenient.
\- Daily and weekly summaries used to be nice (but now under paywall)
Cons
\- Trannoscript accuracy isn’t as good as the others (can't use local models - not a fan now I've been using Parakeet models)
\- No option to use a local model.
\- No proper export function (despite lots of user requests), so I now have to manually copy/paste a year’s worth of trannoscripts into Obsidian.
\- Daily/weekly summaries and API key access are now paywalled.
MeetingMind (considering, not used yet)
On paper, this seems to have the cleanest Obsidian export story, but its trannoscription management looks weaker than MacWhisper and Alter.
If anyone has a setup that:
1. Captures meetings reliably,
2. Does solid diarization,
3. Lets you edit both speakers and text,
4. Summarizes based on templates, and
5. Exports cleanly into Obsidian with a custom noscript forma
I’d really love to hear about it. Thanks!!
https://redd.it/1prw9j5
@macappsbackup
Highlights.AI
Highlights.AI - Plan Travel with AI
Plan trips easily with Highlights! Share AI-crafted itineraries, sell to your audience, and create memories. Be a travel creator in seconds!
Why I like the Bloom app as a replacement for Finder
I'm just a regular user - not a developer or a crazy tech expert. But I switched to Bloom as a replacement for Finder for these reasons:
1. I picked a bright yellow color for my Bloom windows and it's just fun to look at. This doesn't make me more productive, but it's just enjoyable to use with the bright color.
2. I like the Workspaces feature. I have a default workspace that is pretty standard, and a second 2-panel workspace that I use to sort files from my Downloads folder over to my target folder inside of Google Drive. Both workspaces are sorted different ways.
3. The left-panel configuration options are really nice.
4. I had a dumb question and the developer was very responsive. Thank you.
I'm still figuring it out and just use the basic features. But overall, Bloom is enjoyable to use because it's a fun color, faster than Finder for my workflows, and I can just customize it to my liking. I'm on my Mac all day, so I might as well use apps that are fun to use.
https://redd.it/1prqxf3
@macappsbackup
I'm just a regular user - not a developer or a crazy tech expert. But I switched to Bloom as a replacement for Finder for these reasons:
1. I picked a bright yellow color for my Bloom windows and it's just fun to look at. This doesn't make me more productive, but it's just enjoyable to use with the bright color.
2. I like the Workspaces feature. I have a default workspace that is pretty standard, and a second 2-panel workspace that I use to sort files from my Downloads folder over to my target folder inside of Google Drive. Both workspaces are sorted different ways.
3. The left-panel configuration options are really nice.
4. I had a dumb question and the developer was very responsive. Thank you.
I'm still figuring it out and just use the basic features. But overall, Bloom is enjoyable to use because it's a fun color, faster than Finder for my workflows, and I can just customize it to my liking. I'm on my Mac all day, so I might as well use apps that are fun to use.
https://redd.it/1prqxf3
@macappsbackup
Reddit
From the macapps community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the macapps community
Has anyone used SEE Finance 3 - Personal Finance Manager ?
I've observed that SEE Finance 3 has consistently ranked number one in finance charts on the Apple App Store for several days. It also recently appeared in the top 10 paid apps. Apparently, the developer has released a new version, SEE Finance 3, which is an update to the previous version SEE Finance 2 launched around 7-8 years ago.
For those who have used this app, could you share your feedback on how it compares to other budgeting apps such as YNAB, Monarch Money, and Money Dance?
I installed the trial version from the website, and it appears promising so far. The interface is highly customizable, and I particularly like the reports view. While the graphs might not be its strongest feature, the app allows for the addition of numerous account types, including banking, loans, assets, and cash.
If anyone has experience with SEE Finance, especially if you are a previous user of an earlier version, I would greatly value your insights before making a purchase.
*P.S. I am not affiliated with the developer or the app in any way. I am genuinely curious
https://redd.it/1prziwy
@macappsbackup
I've observed that SEE Finance 3 has consistently ranked number one in finance charts on the Apple App Store for several days. It also recently appeared in the top 10 paid apps. Apparently, the developer has released a new version, SEE Finance 3, which is an update to the previous version SEE Finance 2 launched around 7-8 years ago.
For those who have used this app, could you share your feedback on how it compares to other budgeting apps such as YNAB, Monarch Money, and Money Dance?
I installed the trial version from the website, and it appears promising so far. The interface is highly customizable, and I particularly like the reports view. While the graphs might not be its strongest feature, the app allows for the addition of numerous account types, including banking, loans, assets, and cash.
If anyone has experience with SEE Finance, especially if you are a previous user of an earlier version, I would greatly value your insights before making a purchase.
*P.S. I am not affiliated with the developer or the app in any way. I am genuinely curious
https://redd.it/1prziwy
@macappsbackup
Scimonocesoftware
SEE Finance
Personal Finance for MacOS and iOS.
AlDente keeps locking more and more of their features behind the Pro version
I've been using AlDente for a year now since I don't see a point in keeping my battery charged to 100% all of the time. Especially since it constantly goes back and forth between it staying plugged in for days and others where it's constantly on the go. The free version of the app has been totally adequate for that.
But just now, I had to install the app on my new MacBook Pro since this one moves even less than the previous and guess what? Half of the features that used to be available in the version from 5 months ago are now locked behind a paywall. I understand that they need to somehow sustain themselves but you don't just go out and lock more and more stuff to try and move a higher percent of your user base to the paid version. Instead you introduce more features which might make it more desirable for them to switch on their own. This just worsens the experience of the app by a lot.
Their GitHub repo is full of user feedback and stuff they might want to see in the app so it's not like there is nothing to add either. Either way my views of it have soured :/
https://redd.it/1ps4llo
@macappsbackup
I've been using AlDente for a year now since I don't see a point in keeping my battery charged to 100% all of the time. Especially since it constantly goes back and forth between it staying plugged in for days and others where it's constantly on the go. The free version of the app has been totally adequate for that.
But just now, I had to install the app on my new MacBook Pro since this one moves even less than the previous and guess what? Half of the features that used to be available in the version from 5 months ago are now locked behind a paywall. I understand that they need to somehow sustain themselves but you don't just go out and lock more and more stuff to try and move a higher percent of your user base to the paid version. Instead you introduce more features which might make it more desirable for them to switch on their own. This just worsens the experience of the app by a lot.
Their GitHub repo is full of user feedback and stuff they might want to see in the app so it's not like there is nothing to add either. Either way my views of it have soured :/
https://redd.it/1ps4llo
@macappsbackup
Reddit
From the macapps community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the macapps community
PDFFit – a Mac app to automatically crop white margins from PDFs
https://redd.it/1ps7b0s
@macappsbackup
https://redd.it/1ps7b0s
@macappsbackup
Reddit
From the macapps community on Reddit: PDFFit – a Mac app to automatically crop white margins from PDFs
Explore this post and more from the macapps community
Launch directory of 90+ marketing resources to help you grow your app from 0 to 100 to 1000 users
Hey r/macapps,
As an app developer I kept drowning in scattered marketing guides, tool lists, and launch platforms. So I built a free, filterable directory to solve that.
It includes:
90+ vetted resources across 11 categories (launch, SEO, cold email, etc.)
Filters by cost (free/paid), difficulty, and time commitment
Save & export functionality
It's built with Next.js/Tailwind and hosted on Vercel.
I'd really appreciate your take on:
1. Is there a critical resource or tool missing?
2. Any UI/UX suggestions to make it more useful?
Link: https://lstack.vercel.app/
https://redd.it/1ps8v5e
@macappsbackup
Hey r/macapps,
As an app developer I kept drowning in scattered marketing guides, tool lists, and launch platforms. So I built a free, filterable directory to solve that.
It includes:
90+ vetted resources across 11 categories (launch, SEO, cold email, etc.)
Filters by cost (free/paid), difficulty, and time commitment
Save & export functionality
It's built with Next.js/Tailwind and hosted on Vercel.
I'd really appreciate your take on:
1. Is there a critical resource or tool missing?
2. Any UI/UX suggestions to make it more useful?
Link: https://lstack.vercel.app/
https://redd.it/1ps8v5e
@macappsbackup
lstack.vercel.app
LaunchStack - Complete Marketing Directory for Startup Founders
Verify you are human
Bloom - Limit Search to Certain FIles
One of my top features things about bloom is that it can exclude entire directories when it searches. However, i am wondering if there is a way to exclude file extensions. I typically only need maybe 15 extension types, such as PDF, DWG, MPEG, DOC, DOCX, etc. However, the search in bloom gives me two many results on file types I'd never use.
1. Whats the way to search specific files extensions in bloom.
2. Can I eliminate entire types, so i don't have to do #1 manually.
https://redd.it/1ps9gbg
@macappsbackup
One of my top features things about bloom is that it can exclude entire directories when it searches. However, i am wondering if there is a way to exclude file extensions. I typically only need maybe 15 extension types, such as PDF, DWG, MPEG, DOC, DOCX, etc. However, the search in bloom gives me two many results on file types I'd never use.
1. Whats the way to search specific files extensions in bloom.
2. Can I eliminate entire types, so i don't have to do #1 manually.
https://redd.it/1ps9gbg
@macappsbackup
Reddit
From the macapps community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the macapps community
iOS games on MacOS? Not verified for MacOS.
Hey guys so I released my new flag football game for iOS. Optimized for iPad until I found out we showed in the in MacOS App Store and it is freaking awesome! Never intended this.
I wanted to ask, how many of you actually play iOS games from the App Store on MacOS?
Also, under the noscript it states "Not Verified for MacOS" even though it works great. Is that something you can change in AppStoreConnect? Would like to get it verified as a MacOS game.
WCFF Flag Football Game
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wcff-flag-football-game/id6753317934
https://redd.it/1psbxxc
@macappsbackup
Hey guys so I released my new flag football game for iOS. Optimized for iPad until I found out we showed in the in MacOS App Store and it is freaking awesome! Never intended this.
I wanted to ask, how many of you actually play iOS games from the App Store on MacOS?
Also, under the noscript it states "Not Verified for MacOS" even though it works great. Is that something you can change in AppStoreConnect? Would like to get it verified as a MacOS game.
WCFF Flag Football Game
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wcff-flag-football-game/id6753317934
https://redd.it/1psbxxc
@macappsbackup
App Store
WCFF Flag Football Game App - App Store
Download WCFF Flag Football Game by WCFF on the App Store. See screenshots, ratings and reviews, user tips, and more games like WCFF Flag Football Game.
Antinote listed in The Verge’s Top 10 of 2025, and I have you to thank for it.
https://redd.it/1psejyj
@macappsbackup
https://redd.it/1psejyj
@macappsbackup
Revisiting Mac Text Expansion Options
Mac Text Expansion Apps
I've recently been on a mission to reassess some of the software I use to ensure I'm employing it in instances where it can accomplish tasks more quickly than the manual methods I sometimes revert to. I've been using text expansion tools (snippets) for quite some time, yet I often feel that I could leverage them more effectively.
# My Use Cases
Autocorrecting words that I will likely never type correctly due to ingrained muscle memory - available, because, bitcoin, Vietnam, download, etc.
Email addresses, home address, phone number
Auto-expanding date and time snippets in my preferred format - 2025-12-21 & 1:51 PM
Terminal commands with fill-in-the-blank popups for paths and file names for tasks such as making noscripts executable, repairing damaged app permissions, running Homebrew with my preferred switches
Boilerplate letters to app developers requesting information I use in my reviews (with fill-in-the-blank fields)
Emoji denoscriptions
AI prompts for repetitive tasks, like requesting alt-text for uploaded graphics
Search engine syntax for querying specific websites, date ranges, etc.
Frequently reused API keys
Regarding text expansion, the applications I regularly use offer me a variety of options.
# Native Expansion
This isn't a viable option for me, as it lacks support for variables like date and time. Additionally, Mac text replacement is not available in all apps. For instance, it is unsupported in Microsoft Word, Outlook, or Firefox, and it also doesn't offer any formatting.
[More info](https://vengreso.com/blog/text-replacement-on-mac)
# Raycast
I'm a frequent user of Raycast, and it is always active on my Mac. The main thing preventing me from utilizing its highly-rated snippets feature is the difficulty in importing my existing snippet collection from the app I currently use. [Raycast snippets](https://manual.raycast.com/snippets) are searchable and suitable for boilerplate text and code. Raycast supports variables, which it labels "Dynamic Placeholders." If you have a Raycast Pro account with syncing enabled, you can access the same snippet library on both your phone and Mac. Alfred, a competing application similar to Raycast, also offers text expansion for those who purchase the Powerpack, which has a one-time fee of £59 ($78). Alfred lacks iOS snippet support.
# Keyboard Maestro
There's very little that Keyboard Maestro ($36) cannot automate, including [text replacement/expansion.](https://hiltmon.com/blog/2016/04/08/text-expansion-using-keyboard-maestro-first-cut/) A notable feature of Keyboard Maestro is the ability to add a microdelay so that in applications like VSCode, where replacement can be inconsistent due to rapid triggering, you can slow down the process while still achieving the desired functionality. You can also simultaneously trigger other macros with your text expansion snippet. High-speed expansion is possible with Keyboard Maestro's "prompt for user input" feature. No iOS support.
# Text Expander
The reality is that I don't use any of these methods because I have been relying on [Text Expander](https://textexpander.com/) for over a decade. I have several hundred snippets, and the process of exporting and importing them into Raycast seemed too tedious for my liking. Additionally, at one point, I qualified for a lifetime discount on my subnoscription, so it remains quite economical (the regular price is $3.33 per month, billed annually). In terms of functionality, it meets all my needs for an app of its kind. My subnoscription works on both Windows and macOS. If you don't mind adding another subnoscription, it's a solid option. There are even libraries of snippets available for download covering areas such as customer support, coding, and Markdown. An iOS version is also available, which operates through a custom keyboard currently in Test Flight.
# Other Solutions
Mac Text Expansion Apps
I've recently been on a mission to reassess some of the software I use to ensure I'm employing it in instances where it can accomplish tasks more quickly than the manual methods I sometimes revert to. I've been using text expansion tools (snippets) for quite some time, yet I often feel that I could leverage them more effectively.
# My Use Cases
Autocorrecting words that I will likely never type correctly due to ingrained muscle memory - available, because, bitcoin, Vietnam, download, etc.
Email addresses, home address, phone number
Auto-expanding date and time snippets in my preferred format - 2025-12-21 & 1:51 PM
Terminal commands with fill-in-the-blank popups for paths and file names for tasks such as making noscripts executable, repairing damaged app permissions, running Homebrew with my preferred switches
Boilerplate letters to app developers requesting information I use in my reviews (with fill-in-the-blank fields)
Emoji denoscriptions
AI prompts for repetitive tasks, like requesting alt-text for uploaded graphics
Search engine syntax for querying specific websites, date ranges, etc.
Frequently reused API keys
Regarding text expansion, the applications I regularly use offer me a variety of options.
# Native Expansion
This isn't a viable option for me, as it lacks support for variables like date and time. Additionally, Mac text replacement is not available in all apps. For instance, it is unsupported in Microsoft Word, Outlook, or Firefox, and it also doesn't offer any formatting.
[More info](https://vengreso.com/blog/text-replacement-on-mac)
# Raycast
I'm a frequent user of Raycast, and it is always active on my Mac. The main thing preventing me from utilizing its highly-rated snippets feature is the difficulty in importing my existing snippet collection from the app I currently use. [Raycast snippets](https://manual.raycast.com/snippets) are searchable and suitable for boilerplate text and code. Raycast supports variables, which it labels "Dynamic Placeholders." If you have a Raycast Pro account with syncing enabled, you can access the same snippet library on both your phone and Mac. Alfred, a competing application similar to Raycast, also offers text expansion for those who purchase the Powerpack, which has a one-time fee of £59 ($78). Alfred lacks iOS snippet support.
# Keyboard Maestro
There's very little that Keyboard Maestro ($36) cannot automate, including [text replacement/expansion.](https://hiltmon.com/blog/2016/04/08/text-expansion-using-keyboard-maestro-first-cut/) A notable feature of Keyboard Maestro is the ability to add a microdelay so that in applications like VSCode, where replacement can be inconsistent due to rapid triggering, you can slow down the process while still achieving the desired functionality. You can also simultaneously trigger other macros with your text expansion snippet. High-speed expansion is possible with Keyboard Maestro's "prompt for user input" feature. No iOS support.
# Text Expander
The reality is that I don't use any of these methods because I have been relying on [Text Expander](https://textexpander.com/) for over a decade. I have several hundred snippets, and the process of exporting and importing them into Raycast seemed too tedious for my liking. Additionally, at one point, I qualified for a lifetime discount on my subnoscription, so it remains quite economical (the regular price is $3.33 per month, billed annually). In terms of functionality, it meets all my needs for an app of its kind. My subnoscription works on both Windows and macOS. If you don't mind adding another subnoscription, it's a solid option. There are even libraries of snippets available for download covering areas such as customer support, coding, and Markdown. An iOS version is also available, which operates through a custom keyboard currently in Test Flight.
# Other Solutions