WriterBrew vs RewriteBar
Choosing the right AI-powered macOS assistant can be a game-changer. This comparison breaks down WriterBrew and RewriteBar to help you decide which tool best fits your workflow.
Summary
WriterBrew is a comprehensive AI writing assistant for macOS that transforms any text editor into an AI-powered tool, offering 60+ writing tools, OCR text extraction, and custom presets. It's designed for system-wide integration across all browsers, native apps, and electron apps, priced at $24 (40% off from $39) for a one-time license. RewriteBar is a lightweight menubar app focused on instant text transformation, offering grammar correction, tone adjustment, translation, and summarization through a command-palette interface. RewriteBar is available via a $5/month ($40/year) subscription or a $29 one-time license where you supply your own API key.
Core Features
What are the core features of WriterBrew and RewriteBar?
| WriterBrew | RewriteBar | |
|---|---|---|
Integration | System-wide integration across all browsers, native apps & electron apps | Native macOS menubar app; works in any application via command-palette |
PopClip Integration | PopClip extension available for text selection workflow | PopClip extension available for seamless text selection workflow |
Writing Tools | 60+ writing tools with 50+ community presets | Focused set of core text transformation features |
Grammar & Style | Rewrite, improve fluency, change tone (professional, casual, friendly, persuasive) | Grammar/spelling correction, tone adjustment via command menu |
Translation | 15+ languages supported | Instant translation into 500+ languages and dialects |
OCR Capability | Built-in OCR to extract text from images | Text-only transformations |
Custom Presets | Build Your Own Presets (BYOP) for custom AI prompts | Define custom rewrite templates & keyboard shortcuts |
Snippets | Smart snippets with placeholders like {date}, {time}, {clipboard} | No snippet functionality |
Utils | 15+ non-AI utilities (extract emails/URLs, sort lines, case transformations) | Focused on AI-powered text transformations |
AI Model | Uses your own OpenAI key (ChatGPT/GPT-Turbo 3.5, GPT-4, GPT-4o) | Subscription uses RewriteBar's backend; one-time license supports 7 providers |
Privacy & Security | Privacy-friendly; uses your own OpenAI key | API key in Keychain; direct-to-provider; no RewriteBar servers for one-time license |
Platform & Compatibility
WriterBrew
- OS: macOS 14.0 or later
- Architecture: Intel & Apple Silicon
- Works In: All browsers, native apps & electron apps; multiple access points (menu bar, spotlight, keyboard shortcuts)
RewriteBar
- OS: macOS 13+ (Ventura and later)
- Architecture: Intel & Apple Silicon
- Works In: Any application with a text field
Pricing & Licensing
How does WriterBrew compare with RewriteBar in terms of Pricing and License?
| WriterBrew | RewriteBar | |
|---|---|---|
Free | Not available | Free trial: 100 requests (GPT-4o-mini) |
One-Time License | $24 (40% off from $39) - lifetime use | $29 (lifetime; supply your own API key; choose provider/model) |
Subscription | Not available | $5/month or $40/year |
Bundle Options | 4 apps bundle available for $39 (includes Spaces, Zen Mode, WriterBrew AI Pro, SupaSend) | No bundle options |
Updates | Lifetime updates included | Lifetime updates included |
Strengths & Gaps
WriterBrew Strengths
- Comprehensive system-wide integration across all applications
- 60+ writing tools with extensive customization options
- Built-in OCR for text extraction from images
- Smart snippets with dynamic placeholders
- 15+ non-AI utilities for text manipulation
- 50+ community presets for quick start
- Build Your Own Presets (BYOP) for custom AI prompts
- Multiple access points (menu bar, spotlight, keyboard shortcuts)
- Cost-effective one-time payment model
- Privacy-friendly with your own OpenAI key
WriterBrew Gaps
- Higher initial cost compared to RewriteBar
- Requires OpenAI API key setup
- More complex interface with extensive features
- No subscription option for users who prefer monthly billing
- Limited to macOS 14.0+
RewriteBar Strengths
- Lightweight and focused on core text transformations
- Simple command-palette interface for quick access
- Flexible pricing with both subscription and one-time options
- Lower cost options available
- Works seamlessly in any macOS application
- Built-in translation into 500+ languages
- Minimal resource usage as menubar app
- Easy setup with subscription option (no API key required)
RewriteBar Gaps
- No OCR capabilities
- Limited to text-only transformations
- No snippet functionality
- Fewer writing tools compared to WriterBrew
- No non-AI utilities
- No community presets
Which to Choose?
Choose WriterBrew if…
- You need comprehensive system-wide integration across all applications and browsers.
- You want extensive customization with 60+ writing tools and custom presets.
- You need OCR capabilities to extract text from images.
- You prefer smart snippets with dynamic placeholders for productivity.
- You want access to 15+ non-AI utilities for text manipulation.
- You value community presets and extensive customization options.
- You prefer a one-time payment model with lifetime updates.
- You want multiple access points (menu bar, spotlight, keyboard shortcuts).
Choose RewriteBar if…
- You prefer a lightweight, focused tool for quick text transformations.
- You want a simple command-palette interface for instant access.
- You prefer flexible pricing with both subscription and one-time options.
- You want an easy setup without requiring your own API key.
- You need built-in translation into 500+ languages.
- You value minimal resource usage and distraction-free interface.
- You primarily work with text and don't need OCR or extensive utilities.
- You want a straightforward tool that focuses on core writing improvements.
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 19 AI models
No credit card required
Monthly Plan
Use our AI Cloud service (3 million words)
$5
USD
- Access our AI Cloud service (29 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
Annual Plan
Use our AI Cloud service (3 million words)
$60
$40
USD
- Access our AI Cloud service (29 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
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 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.
Kerlig AI
See detailed comparison between Kerlig AI and RewriteBar
BoltAI
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Elephas
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TextWisely
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Alter
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FixKey AI
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FridayGPT
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Steer
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IntelliBar
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TypoTab
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MacCopilot
See detailed comparison between MacCopilot and RewriteBar
Grammarly
See detailed comparison between Grammarly and RewriteBar
- 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
- 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!