When comparing PhraseExpress vs aText, the Slant community recommends PhraseExpress for most people. In the question“What are the best text expansion apps for macOS?” PhraseExpress is ranked 4th while aText is ranked 6th. The most important reason people chose PhraseExpress is:
Very clear and thoughtful user interface.
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Pros
Pro Easy to use
Very clear and thoughtful user interface.
Pro Flexible shortcut system
Offers many options for autotext.
Pro No subscription, perpetual license
Unlike other text expanders, PhraseExpress is a one time purchase.
Pro Versions for Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android
Pro Phrase menu
Pro Document generator
Pro Portable option
Can run from a USB device.
Pro Works with Mac and Windows and iPhone
There are versions for all platforms, that can synchronize snippets.
Pro Sophisticated macro language
It has many macro functions. Macros can be combined and nested.
Pro Supports RTF formatting and Word documents
Pro Does not force to use a cloud service
It can run standalone without the need to connect to the Internet.
Pro Fill-In forms with may options
You cannot only add simple text input but also radio buttons, check boxes, etc.
Pro Includes Outlook addon to automate email replies
Pro Clipboard Manager with cool extra features
If email addresses or URL are part of the clipboard contents, PE offers you to send an email to that address or to open the web site.
Pro No Update
Pro A snippet can be expanded to plain or styled text and include pictures
Pro Has built-in snippets for common typos
Pro Cheaper than competition
$4.99, cheaper than textExpander ($35)
Pro Compatible with TextExpander snippets
TextExpander snippets can be imported into aText
Pro Works with VMs
Pro Imports from most alternative text expansion apps
aText can import data from TextExpander, TypeIt4Me, SpellCatcherX, Automaton and CSV file.
Pro Has common HTML & JS snippets built-in
Pro Snippets can include editable fields
Pro Data can be synced through cloud storage services
Pro Snippets can include a wide variety of variables
Possible variables include date, time, other snippets, clipboard content, etc.
Cons
Con No Linux version
Some people might want it.
Con Frequent crashes in MacOS Sierra
aText crashes frequently, and the developer is unresponsive. Not clear if app is supported or under current development: last update was in 11/15; last post to aText Facebook page 10/15.
Con Doesn't work in Mojave
The current version, with no issues. In fact, I've never had any issue with it with Mojave, so I assume when Mojave was released, aText was already up to date for it.
Con Long time no update
Seems to be abandoned.