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?

TypoTabRewriteBar
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?

TypoTabRewriteBar
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

Pricing

Purchase a License

Trial

Try it for free

Free

  • Up to 100 requests
  • Access to our Cloud AI service
  • Includes 17 AI models
Start for free

No credit card required

Monthly Plan

Use our AI Cloud service (3 million words)

$5

USD

Monthly
  • Access our AI Cloud service (26 models)
  • Option to use your own AI provider API key
  • Choose from 12+ AI providers
  • Choose from 350+ AI models
  • Unlimited app updates
  • Use on unlimited devices

Billed monthly

Save 33%

Annual Plan

Use our AI Cloud service (3 million words)

$60

$40

USD

Annually
  • Access our AI Cloud service (26 models)
  • Option to use your own AI provider API key
  • Choose from 12+ AI providers
  • Choose from 350+ AI models
  • Unlimited requests (With API key)
  • Unlimited app updates
  • Use on unlimited devices

Billed annually

Use RewriteBar with an API Key

Requires an API key

Pay as you go

One-time purchase. Use your own API key — no subscription, no recurring fees.

$29

USD

OneTime

One time payment

  • Requires the use of your own AI provider API key
  • Choose from 12+ AI providers
  • Choose from 350+ 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.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question? Contact me on Twitter or by email.

  • 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.

    Here are some examples:

    • Google Chrome
    • Google Docs
    • Microsoft Word
    • Slack
    • WhatsApp
    • Emails
    • Microsoft Teams
    • Notion
    • Visual Studio Code
  • Yes! You can try RewriteBar for free with up to 100 corrections. After that, you can upgrade to a subscription or one-time license.
  • Yes, you can request a refund within 14 days of purchase. Just reach out via email.
  • RewriteBar has been tested with English and German, but it should work with any language supported by ChatGPT. If you encounter issues with a specific language, feel free to contact us.
  • After your purchase, you'll receive an email with:

    • A download link for the app
    • A license key to activate it
    • The license key also includes unlimited app updates.

    The license key also includes unlimited app updates.

  • There are no additional costs with the subscription plan. If you're using the one-time license, you’ll need to provide an OpenAI API key, which may incur charges based on your usage. For most users, around $1 per month is enough to get started.
  • You can cancel your subscription through the Subscription Portal.
    If you have any questions, feel free to contact us via email.
  • No, a ChatGPT Plus subscription is not required. The OpenAI API operates on a pay-as-you-go basis, so you only pay for what you use. Alternatively, you can use the RewriteBar AI Cloud (included in the subscription plan).
  • The app requires macOS accessibility permissions to retrieve the selected text and replace it with the corrected version. This enables RewriteBar to work with any application. No data is stored.
  • You can create an account on OpenAI and generate a new API key.
    Setup instructions are available in our help center
  • The one-time license requires an Provider API key (OpenAI or other) and may incur usage-based costs from the Provider. The subscription plan includes access to the RewriteBar AI Cloud and is ideal for users who don’t want to manage their own API key.
  • No, there is no Windows version. RewriteBar is built with native macOS tools and isn’t compatible with Windows. If you're on Windows, you can try this alternative:Grammarsen.
  • You can reach out any time by email. I’m happy to help!