TypoTab vs RewriteBar
Choosing the right AI-powered macOS assistant can be a game-changer. This comparison breaks down TypoTab and RewriteBar to help you decide which tool best fits your workflow.
Summary
TypoTab is a macOS menu bar app that provides AI-powered writing assistance across all applications. It offers a search-based action system with keyboard shortcuts, customizable actions, and works seamlessly in any app without switching tools.TypoTab uses a subscription model (£6/month or £4/month yearly) with unlimited use.RewriteBar also lives in your menu bar, offering a command-palette UI for instant grammar/spelling fixes, tone shifts, summarization/expansion, and translation into 500+ languages.RewriteBar is available via a $5/month ($40/year) subscription or a $29 one-time license where you supply your own API key from various providers.
Core Features
What are the core features of TypoTab and RewriteBar?
| TypoTab | RewriteBar | |
|---|---|---|
Integration | Menu bar app with search-based action system and keyboard shortcuts | Works in any macOS app via a menu-bar command palette (Cmd+Shift+P) |
Action System | Search-based actions with customizable prompts and workflows | Pre-built actions plus custom prompts for specialized workflows |
AI Models | Uses own AI service (model not specified) | Subscription uses RewriteBar's backend (GPT-4.1 suite); one-time license lets you choose from 11 providers |
Grammar & Style | Fix Grammar action for text correction and improvement | Grammar/spelling correction, tone adjustment via command menu |
Text Manipulation | Shorten Text, Rephrase, and Essay Writer actions | Summarize or expand selections on-the-fly |
Translation | Not mentioned as a core feature | Instant translation into 500+ languages and dialects |
Custom Actions | Customize actions to fit your needs with your own prompts | Create your own action with custom prompts for specialized workflows |
Keyboard Shortcuts | Keyboard shortcuts for quick access and navigation | Trigger command menu and navigate with keyboard (Arrow keys, Enter, etc.) |
App Compatibility | Works across all favorite apps (Google Docs, Word, Gmail, Slack, etc.) | Works in any macOS application |
Privacy & Security | Not specified in detail | Direct-to-provider; no RewriteBar servers for one-time license |
Platform & Compatibility
TypoTab
- OS: macOS
- Architecture: Intel & Apple Silicon
- Works In: Menu bar app that works across all applications
RewriteBar
- OS: macOS 13+ (Ventura and later)
- Architecture: Intel & Apple Silicon
- Works In: Any application with a text field
Pricing & Licensing
How does TypoTab compares with RewriteBar in terms of Pricing and License?
| TypoTab | RewriteBar | |
|---|---|---|
Free Trial | Not mentioned | Free trial: 100 requests (GPT-4o-mini) |
Monthly Plan | £6/month (approximately $7.60) | $5/month |
Yearly Plan | £4/month yearly (approximately $5.10/month) | $40/year |
One-Time License | Not available | $29 (lifetime; supply your own API key; choose provider/model) |
Device Limit | 1 device limit | Unlimited devices |
Usage Limits | Unlimited use | 3 million words per month on subscription |
Strengths & Gaps
TypoTab Strengths
- Search-based action system for quick access
- Customizable actions with your own prompts
- Keyboard shortcuts for efficient navigation
- Works across all applications seamlessly
- Simple subscription pricing model
TypoTab Gaps
- Limited to subscription model only
- No one-time purchase option
- Device limit of 1
- No built-in translation feature mentioned
- AI model details not specified
RewriteBar Strengths
- Flexible pricing: subscription or one-time with any provider
- Built-in translation into 500+ languages
- Unlimited devices on subscription
- 11+ AI providers supported (350+ models)
- Specialized text editing features
RewriteBar Gaps
- No search-based action system
- Command palette interface (different from search)
- No built-in essay writer feature
Which to Choose?
Choose TypoTab if…
- You prefer a search-based action system with keyboard shortcuts.
- You want a simple subscription model with unlimited use.
- You need customizable actions that work across all applications.
- You prefer a streamlined interface focused on quick text actions.
Choose RewriteBar if…
- You want flexible pricing options including a one-time purchase.
- You need translation capabilities into 500+ languages.
- You want access to multiple AI providers and models.
- You prefer a command palette interface for text editing.
- You need unlimited device access on your subscription.
- You want specialized text editing features like grammar correction and tone adjustment.
Ready to Experience the Difference?
Download RewriteBar today and see why our users love RewriteBar over the competition. Start your free trial with no credit card required.
No credit card required • 100 free executions • Cancel anytime
Purchase a License
Trial
Try it for free
Free
- Up to 100 requests
- Access to our Cloud AI service
- Includes 31 AI models
No credit card required
Monthly Plan
Use our AI Cloud service (3 million words)
$5
USD
- Access our AI Cloud service (39 models)
- Option to use your own AI provider API key
- Choose from 14+ AI providers
- Choose from 500+ AI models
- Unlimited app updates
- Use on unlimited devices
Billed monthly
Annual Plan
Use our AI Cloud service (3 million words)
$60
$40
USD
- Access our AI Cloud service (39 models)
- Option to use your own AI provider API key
- Choose from 14+ AI providers
- Choose from 500+ AI models
- Unlimited requests (With API key)
- Unlimited app updates
- Use on unlimited devices
Billed annually
Use RewriteBar with an API Key
Pay as you go
One-time purchase. Use your own API key — no subscription, no recurring fees.
$29
USD
One time payment
- Requires the use of your own AI provider API key
- Choose from 14+ AI providers
- Choose from 500+ AI models
- Send request directly to AI provider
- Option to use local models (e.g., Ollama)
- Unlimited requests (With API key)
- One-time payment
- Licensed per device
How does RewriteBar compare to other AI Writing Tools?
We compared RewriteBar to other popular AI writing assistants to help you find the best tool for your needs.
Kerlig AI
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BoltAI
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Elephas
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TextWisely
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WriterBrew
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Alter
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FixKey AI
See detailed comparison between FixKey AI and RewriteBar
FridayGPT
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Steer
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IntelliBar
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MacCopilot
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Grammarly
See detailed comparison between Grammarly and RewriteBar
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Questions, Answered
- RewriteBar captures the currently selected text using the macOS clipboard and sends it to a language model for rewriting. The corrected version is then automatically pasted back, replacing the original text.
Yes. RewriteBar does not store or track any of your data. How your text is processed depends on the provider you choose:
- RewriteBar (default): Your selected text is sent to the RewriteBar server, which forwards the request to a language model and returns the corrected version. We do not store your text or API key on our server.
- Third-Party Providers (e.g. OpenAI, Mistral, Ollama): Your request is sent directly from your device to the provider’s API. RewriteBar never sees or processes your text.
The app is built using native macOS tools and is just ~20 MB in size — lightweight and privacy-focused.
Yes, RewriteBar works with almost any application or website that supports text input. It runs quietly in the background so you can stay focused and keep your writing flow.
Examples include:
- Google Chrome
- Google Docs
- Microsoft Word
- Slack
- Emails
- Microsoft Teams
- Notion
- Visual Studio Code
- Yes, you can try RewriteBar for free with up to 100 corrections. When you’re ready to continue, you can choose a subscription or a one-time license, whichever suits you best.
- Yes, you can request a refund within 14 days of purchase. Just reach out via email.
RewriteBar App Interface is translated into 12 languages.
The translation action supports over 500 languages. However, language Support also depends on the selected model. Cloud models like GPT-5 are advanced and support most languages, while smaller local models can only support a limited number of languages.
If you encounter issues with a specific language, feel free to contact us.
- RewriteBar (once purchased) and local models do not incur additional costs. Additional charges apply only when using cloud AI providers via the BYOK (bring your own API key) option. In that case, you pay your chosen provider directly.
- You can cancel your subscription through the Subscription Portal.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us via email. - No. Subscriptions like ChatGPT Plus/Pro or Claude Pro apply to their chat applications. API access is billed separately by each provider on a pay-as-you-go basis and is not included in those subscriptions. You can use your own API key (BYOK) and pay the provider directly, or use the RewriteBar AI Cloud (included in the RewriteBar subscription).
- RewriteBar requests macOS Accessibility permissions so it can function as designed. This allows the app to read your currently selected text and replace it with the improved result, so it works seamlessly in your favorite apps. We do not store your data.
- You can create an API key with any supported provider below:Setup instructions are available in our help center
One-Time License: Includes all RewriteBar features but requires you to set up your own API accounts with AI providers (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.). You pay the providers directly for usage.
Subscription: Includes all features from the one-time license plus RewriteBar Cloud access and priority support. No need to set up API accounts—you can access the same AI models through our cloud service. You can still use your own API key (BYOK) or local models at any time.
- No. There is no Windows version, and none is planned. RewriteBar is purpose‑built and optimized for macOS. We may explore a Chrome extension in the future.
- You can reach out any time by email. I’m happy to help!