WriterBar vs Fixkey
Fixkey is a Mac app for fixing and rewriting text in any app with a shortcut, and it adds speech-to-text. It is sold as a yearly subscription with unlimited rewrites. WriterBar is a one-time purchase with a built-in action library and snippets, and it lets you choose the AI model.
Core features
| WriterBar | Fixkey | |
|---|---|---|
| How you use it | Select text, press ⌥Space or click a PopClip button, pick an action; the rewrite replaces your selection in place | Shortcuts that work in every app on your Mac, fully customisable |
| Rewriting | A built-in library of ready-made actions (writing, tone, productivity, developer, academic, business, customer support), plus your own custom actions | One-click text polishing and AI rewriting |
| Custom prompts | Yes, plus a built-in library of actions | Yes, custom AI prompts |
| Speech-to-text | No | Real-time speech-to-text in 180+ languages, with voice commands for formatting and editing |
| Translation | A Translate action | Translation into 180+ languages |
| Snippets and PopClip | Reusable snippets and signatures with variables; Yes, any action or snippet can run from a PopClip button | Not listed on its homepage |
| Result and speed | The result streams into a small panel where you can replace, copy or refine it | Response times under 200ms, by its own claim |
Platform and compatibility
| WriterBar | Fixkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | macOS 14 or later, menu bar app | macOS only, natively written for the Mac |
Pricing and licensing
| WriterBar | Fixkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | One-time purchase | Subscription, with annual billing shown |
| Price | Standard $19, Pro $39, paid once | Fixkey Pro at $48 a year |
| Rewrite limits | Credits for the built-in cloud AI, or your own API key | Unlimited AI rewrites and unlimited speech-to-text on Pro |
| Refunds | 14 days on one-time licenses | See its terms |
Where each one is stronger
Fixkey is stronger at
- Speech-to-text in the same tool, in 180+ languages.
- Unlimited AI rewrites and speech-to-text on one plan.
- Fully customisable shortcuts.
- A custom dictionary for your own words.
WriterBar is stronger at
- Pay once instead of renewing every year.
- Choose the AI model or use your own API key.
- A built-in action library plus snippets and signatures.
- PopClip support and a ⌥Space command palette.
- A result panel to replace, copy or refine the rewrite.
Which should you choose?
Choose Fixkey if
- You want speech-to-text in the same tool as rewriting.
- You want unlimited AI rewrites without watching a credit balance.
- You want shortcuts you can fully customise.
Choose WriterBar if
- You would rather pay once than renew every year.
- You want to pick the AI model or use your own API key.
- You want snippets, signatures and a ready-made action library.
WriterBar plans
Buy the app once. See the full details on the pricing page.
Trial
Free
Try WriterBar with real cloud AI — no card required.
- 100,000 credits (one-time)
- All built-in actions & snippets
- Free AI models
- Buy credits or subscribe any time
Standard
$19 one-time
One-time purchase with cloud credits and API key support.
- 1 Million credits (one-time)
- All AI models
- Bring your own API keys
- Apple Intelligence on-device
- Everything synced across devices
- Unlimited app updates
Pro
$39 one-time
One-time purchase with a year of WriterBar Cloud included.
- 3 Million credits/month — 1 year of WriterBar Cloud included
- All AI models
- Bring your own API keys
- Apple Intelligence on-device
- Everything synced across devices
- Unlimited app updates
Frequently asked questions
How much does Fixkey cost?
Its pricing page shows Fixkey Pro at $48 a year with annual billing. It shows a monthly toggle without stating a monthly price.
Does Fixkey have unlimited rewrites?
Its pricing page lists unlimited AI rewrites and unlimited speech-to-text on Pro. WriterBar’s built-in cloud AI uses credits; with your own API key you pay your provider.
Does Fixkey support custom prompts?
Yes, its site lists custom AI prompts and fully customisable shortcuts. WriterBar has custom actions plus a built-in library and snippets.
Which AI does Fixkey use?
Its site refers to advanced language models but does not name the model.
How does WriterBar work?
Select text in any app, press your WriterBar hotkey (⌥Space by default) or click a PopClip button, and pick an action such as Improve Writing. The result streams into a small panel where you can replace the original text, copy it, or refine it further. On Mac, WriterBar reads and writes the selection through the macOS Accessibility API, with a clipboard fallback for apps that do not expose their text.
Why does WriterBar need the Accessibility permission?
It is what lets WriterBar read the text you have selected and write the improved version back in place, in any app. You grant it under System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility. It is used only for reading and replacing your current selection.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. Every account starts with a one-time grant of 100,000 credits (about 100 rewrites on fast models), no card required, with all built-in actions and snippets and the free AI models.
How much does WriterBar cost?
Standard is $19 and Pro is $39, both one-time purchases with unlimited app updates. Optional credit packs for the built-in cloud AI start from $2.19 and never expire.
Can I use my own API key?
Yes, on Standard and Pro, for Anthropic, OpenAI, Gemini and OpenRouter. Your key is stored in the macOS Keychain, and your text goes directly from your Mac to that provider.
Does WriterBar store my text?
No. With the built-in models, your text is sent over an encrypted connection to WriterBar’s server, forwarded to an AI provider, and streamed back, processed in memory only and never logged or kept. It is never used to train AI models.
Can I get a refund?
Yes: 14 days from purchase on one-time licenses. Email support@writerbar.app with your purchase details. After heavy use of the trial or a paid credit balance, a refund request is reviewed case by case.
Which apps does WriterBar work in?
Practically all of them: browsers, Mail, Slack, Notes, Word and Google Docs, code editors, and anything else with a text field. If an app does not expose its text through Accessibility, WriterBar falls back to a clipboard-based flow.
How does WriterBar compare with other tools?
Written by WriterBar. What we say about Fixkey comes from its public pages as of October 2026, so check Fixkey, Fixkey pricing for current details. If something here is out of date, tell us at support@writerbar.app.