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?

WriterBrewRewriteBar
Integration
System-wide integration across all browsers, native apps & electron apps
Native macOS menubar app; works in any application via command-palette
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 30 languages
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?

WriterBrewRewriteBar
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 30 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 30 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.

Pricing

Start using RewriteBar

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

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 7 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!