Lightning Assist vs TextExpander: The Better Alternative in 2026
Looking for a TextExpander alternative? Lightning Assist offers more features, better cross-platform support, and AI-powered capabilities at a more affordable price. Compare both tools and see why thousands are switching to Lightning Assist.
Try Lightning Assist Free - No Credit Card Required
14-day free trial with all features • Works on Windows, Mac & Linux • AI-powered text expansion
Download Free TrialWhy Choose Lightning Assist Over TextExpander?
Better Value
Lightning Assist starts at $5.99/month with all features included. TextExpander has multiple plans: Individual ($3.33/mo billed annually), Business ($8.33/mo), and Growth ($10.83/mo). Lightning Assist offers more features (AI, voice-to-text) at a competitive price point.
AI-Powered Features
Lightning Assist includes built-in AI commands for text enhancement, rewriting, and generation. TextExpander has limited AI integration.
Voice-to-Text
Push-to-talk speech-to-text that works in any application. TextExpander doesn't offer voice-to-text capabilities.
True Cross-Platform
Full support for Windows, macOS, and Linux. TextExpander is primarily Mac-focused with limited Windows support.
Modern Interface
Lightning Assist features a modern, intuitive UI designed for 2026. TextExpander's interface feels dated in comparison.
Better Team Features
Advanced team collaboration with real-time sync, role-based access, and shared folders. More flexible than TextExpander's team features.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Lightning Assist | TextExpander |
|---|---|---|
| Text Expansion | Yes | Yes |
| AI Commands | Built-in | Limited |
| Voice-to-Text | Push-to-talk | No |
| Windows Support | Full support | Limited |
| macOS Support | Full support | Full support |
| Linux Support | Full support | No |
| Team Collaboration | Advanced | Available |
| Pricing Plans | $5.99/month (all features) | Individual: $3.33/mo* Business: $8.33/mo* Growth: $10.83/mo* *billed annually |
| Free Trial | 14 days, all features | Limited |
| Credit Card Required | No | Usually yes |
Key Advantages of Lightning Assist
1. AI-Powered Text Expansion
Lightning Assist goes beyond simple text expansion with built-in AI commands. Enhance, rewrite, or generate text on the fly. TextExpander focuses on traditional snippet expansion without AI capabilities.
2. Voice-to-Text Integration
Use push-to-talk speech-to-text to dictate text directly into any application. Perfect for hands-free typing. TextExpander doesn't offer this feature.
3. Cross-Platform Excellence
Lightning Assist provides full, native support for Windows, macOS, and Linux. TextExpander is primarily Mac-focused, with Windows support being more limited and no Linux support at all.
4. Better Value & Simplicity
Lightning Assist offers one simple plan at $5.99/month with all features included (AI commands, voice-to-text, cross-platform). TextExpander has multiple tiers: Individual ($3.33/mo billed annually), Business ($8.33/mo), and Growth ($10.83/mo). While TextExpander's Individual plan is cheaper, it lacks many features that Lightning Assist includes in its single plan. Plus, our 14-day free trial includes all features with no credit card required.
5. Modern User Experience
Lightning Assist features a modern, intuitive interface designed for 2026. TextExpander's interface feels dated and less user-friendly in comparison.
When to Choose TextExpander
TextExpander might be a better choice if:
- You're exclusively a Mac user and don't need cross-platform support
- You prefer a more established platform with a larger user base
- You need simple text expansion without AI or voice features
- You want the cheapest option ($3.33/mo Individual plan, billed annually) and don't need advanced features
- You're comfortable with multiple pricing tiers and choosing between Individual, Business, or Growth plans
When to Choose Lightning Assist
Lightning Assist is the better choice if:
- You need cross-platform support (Windows, Mac, or Linux)
- You want AI-powered text enhancement and generation
- You need voice-to-text capabilities
- You work in a team and need advanced collaboration features
- You prefer one simple plan with all features instead of multiple tiers
- You want features like AI and voice-to-text that TextExpander doesn't offer in their Individual plan
- You prefer a modern, intuitive interface
- You want to try before you buy (14-day free trial, no credit card)
Migration from TextExpander to Lightning Assist
Switching from TextExpander to Lightning Assist is straightforward:
- Export Your Snippets - Export your TextExpander snippets (if possible) or manually note your most-used shortcuts.
- Create Resources in Lightning Assist - Import or recreate your snippets as "Resources" in Lightning Assist. The interface is intuitive and makes this quick.
- Configure Triggers - Set up your trigger hotkeys in Lightning Assist. You can use the same shortcuts you're familiar with.
- Explore New Features - Take advantage of AI commands, voice-to-text, and other features that TextExpander doesn't offer.
- Train Your Team - If you're on a team plan, migrate team members gradually and provide training on Lightning Assist's advanced features.
Note: While manual migration is required, Lightning Assist's modern interface makes it quick to recreate your snippets. The time investment is worth it for the advanced features you'll gain.
Try Lightning Assist Free Today
Ready to experience a better TextExpander alternative? Start your 14-day free trial today. All features included - no credit card required. Download now and see why thousands are switching from TextExpander to Lightning Assist.
14-day free trial • All features • No credit card • Cancel anytime
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lightning Assist really better than TextExpander?
Lightning Assist offers more features (AI commands, voice-to-text), better cross-platform support, and a simpler pricing model with all features in one plan. TextExpander has multiple tiers: Individual ($3.33/mo billed annually) is cheaper but lacks advanced features, while Business ($8.33/mo) and Growth ($10.83/mo) are more expensive. For most users, especially those on Windows or Linux, or those who want AI and voice features, Lightning Assist is the better choice. However, if you're exclusively a Mac user, only need basic text expansion, and want the cheapest option, TextExpander's Individual plan might work for you.
Can I import my TextExpander snippets?
Currently, Lightning Assist doesn't have a direct import feature for TextExpander snippets. However, recreating your snippets is quick thanks to Lightning Assist's intuitive interface. Most users find it takes less than 30 minutes to migrate their most-used snippets.
Does Lightning Assist work on Mac?
Yes! Lightning Assist has full, native support for macOS. In fact, many Mac users prefer Lightning Assist over TextExpander because of its modern interface and additional features like AI commands.
What about Windows support?
Lightning Assist has full, native Windows support - something TextExpander struggles with. If you're a Windows user, Lightning Assist is definitely the better choice.
Is the free trial really free?
Yes! Lightning Assist offers a 14-day free trial with all features included. No credit card required. You can try everything - text expansion, AI commands, voice-to-text, team features - completely free for 14 days.
Related: Looking for more alternatives? Check out our comparison with PhraseExpress, Espanso, or explore our blog for more productivity tips and comparisons.