TextExpander Alternatives: A Look at Makro

Published April 7, 2026 · Updated July 1, 2026

Many professionals use tools that streamline repetitive tasks. Text expansion software replaces short abbreviations (hotwords) with longer snippets of text, saving time and reducing errors.

TextExpander has long been a popular choice in this space, but it's always wise to explore alternatives to find the best fit for your workflow. If you're looking for a secure, feature-rich text expansion solution, Makro is worth a look.

Why Consider Makro?

Makro is a text expansion browser extension available for both Chrome and Firefox. It works on a simple principle: define your hotwords, and Makro automatically expands them in any text field you use.

Makro's core differentiator is privacy and security. Makro employs zero-knowledge encryption using AES-256-GCM with device-derived keys. This means your macros are encrypted locally and are unreadable by Makro's servers. Your license keys are hashed (SHA-256) before any network request, so they are never sent in plain text. Makro also practices minimal, opt-in anonymous telemetry and is GDPR compliant with self-service data deletion.

Key Features That Set Makro Apart:

  • Hotword Text Expansion with Rich Formatting: Create snippets with formatting that works across applications.
  • Dynamic Placeholders: Use syntax like [$Name], [$Date], or [$Clipboard] to automatically fill in dynamic information.
  • Category Organization: Keep your macros tidy and easily accessible with up to three levels of category organization.
  • Cloud Sync: (Available on Pro and Premium plans) Securely sync your macros across all your devices with end-to-end encryption.
  • AI Smart Rewrite: (Available on Pro and Premium plans) Need to rephrase, shorten, or formalize text? Makro's AI can help you refine your writing on the fly.
  • Clipboard History: (Available on Pro and Premium plans, opt-in, local-only) Keep track of your copied items.
  • Smart Copy (OCR): Extract text from images directly within your browser. The free tier offers 50 OCR extractions per month, with unlimited extractions on the Premium plan.
  • Import Capabilities: Easily migrate your existing snippets by importing from popular tools like TextExpander, Espanso, aText, or from CSV and JSON files.
  • Multi-Language Support: Makro is available in English, German, Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean, and Portuguese.

Pricing Tiers to Fit Your Needs:

Makro offers the following pricing tiers:

  • Free Tier: Enjoy unlimited macros and expansions, 50 OCR extractions per month, and local AI processing with Ollama. No account is required for basic usage.
  • Pro Plan ($4.99/month or $39.99/year): Includes everything in the free tier plus cloud sync, AI Smart Rewrite, clipboard history, and priority support. A 7-day free trial is available.
  • Premium Plan ($9.99/month or $79.99/year): Offers all Pro features, plus unlimited OCR extractions and advanced AI capabilities.

Is Makro Right for You?

If you want a text expansion tool that prioritizes privacy, offers AI assistance, and works across your browser, Makro is worth considering. Its feature set and commitment to security make it a solid alternative for anyone who wants to work efficiently without compromising their data.

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