WriterBar vs Kerlig AI
Kerlig AI and WriterBar are both one-time-purchase Mac apps that work on selected text from a global shortcut, and both let you use your own API key. Kerlig supports more models and older Macs, and adds document chat and agent features. WriterBar costs less and adds a built-in action library, snippets and PopClip support.
Core features
| WriterBar | Kerlig AI | |
|---|---|---|
| How you use it | Select text, press ⌥Space or click a PopClip button, pick an action; the rewrite replaces your selection in place | A global hotkey (⌥ option+space), shortcuts, and a headless background mode |
| Built-in actions | A built-in library of ready-made actions (writing, tone, productivity, developer, academic, business, customer support), plus your own custom actions | Fix spelling and grammar, Improve writing, Summarize, Make shorter, Simplify and more, with an actions editor |
| Writing helpers | Write an Email, Write a Reply, Write a Follow-Up Message and other actions | Emails, Slack replies, Jira tickets and proofreading |
| Chat with documents | No: it runs actions on selected text | Chat with webpages, ebooks, images and documents, with vision and attachments |
| Agents and tools | No | Agentic Mode and MCP servers such as Notion, Linear, Slack and GitHub |
| Snippets and presets | Reusable snippets and signatures with variables | Presets |
| PopClip | Yes, any action or snippet can run from a PopClip button | Not listed on its homepage |
AI models and privacy
| WriterBar | Kerlig AI | |
|---|---|---|
| AI models | Built-in cloud models from vendors including Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, xAI and Mistral; or your own key for Anthropic, OpenAI, Gemini or OpenRouter (300+ models) | 350+ models, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Groq, OpenRouter, xAI, Perplexity, Mistral and Amazon Bedrock |
| Your own API key | Yes, on Standard and Pro | Yes; you pay for tokens as you use them |
| Local models | Apple Intelligence, Ollama, LM Studio and oMLX | Apple Foundation Models, Ollama and LM Studio, available offline |
| What happens to your text | Text is processed in memory and not stored or logged, and is never used to train models; with your own API key it goes straight from your Mac to that provider | Messages go directly to the AI providers, then are stored and encrypted on your Mac |
Platform and compatibility
| WriterBar | Kerlig AI | |
|---|---|---|
| Supported macOS | macOS 14 or later | macOS 12 or later, Apple Silicon and Intel |
| Teams | Pro covers 3 devices | A Team license for 10 Macs with remote deployment through a CLI |
Pricing and licensing
| WriterBar | Kerlig AI | |
|---|---|---|
| One-time price | Standard $19, Pro $39, paid once | Basic $49, Pro $79, Team $297 |
| Devices | Pro covers 3 devices | Basic 1 Mac, Pro 2 Macs, Team 10 Macs |
| Updates | Unlimited app updates on Standard and Pro | Lifetime updates |
| Support | Email support at support@writerbar.app | Email support, with a 48-hour target on Basic and 24 hours on Pro |
| Refunds | 14 days on one-time licenses | 14-day money-back guarantee |
Where each one is stronger
Kerlig AI is stronger at
- More models: 350+ across many providers.
- Chat with documents, webpages, ebooks and images.
- Agentic Mode and MCP server integrations.
- Runs on macOS 12 and 13 as well as 14.
- A Team license with remote deployment for 10 Macs.
WriterBar is stronger at
- A lower price: $19 and $39 against $49 and $79.
- 3 devices on the top plan rather than 2.
- A built-in action library plus snippets and signatures.
- PopClip support and a ⌥Space command palette.
- Built-in cloud models that work without setting up an API key.
- A 14-day refund on one-time licenses.
Which should you choose?
Choose Kerlig AI if
- You are on macOS 12 or 13, which WriterBar does not support.
- You want to chat with documents or use agent features with MCP servers.
- You need a Team license with remote deployment.
- You want access to a very wide range of models.
Choose WriterBar if
- You want the lower price: $19 and $39 against $49 and $79.
- You want 3 devices on the top plan rather than 2.
- You want a ready-made action library, reusable snippets and PopClip support.
- You want to start without setting up an API key.
- You want your text kept out of storage and training.
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
Is WriterBar cheaper than Kerlig AI?
Yes on list price: Standard $19 and Pro $39 against Kerlig’s Basic $49 and Pro $79. Both are one-time purchases. With your own API key you also pay your provider for tokens in either app.
Does Kerlig AI run on older Macs?
Its site says macOS 12 or later, on Apple Silicon and Intel. WriterBar needs macOS 14 or later.
Can WriterBar chat with documents or run agents?
No. WriterBar runs actions on text you select. Kerlig adds document chat, vision and attachments, and an agent mode.
Do I need my own API key?
With Kerlig you pay only for the tokens you use, through your own keys. WriterBar has built-in cloud models paid with credits, so you can start without a key, and also supports your own key on Standard and Pro.
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 Kerlig AI comes from its public pages as of October 2026, so check Kerlig for current details. If something here is out of date, tell us at support@writerbar.app.