WriterBar vs TypoTab
TypoTab is a menu bar tool for fixing and rephrasing text in any app, sold as a low monthly or yearly subscription for one device. WriterBar is also a menu bar tool, but it is a one-time purchase, lets you choose the AI behind it, and adds snippets.
Core features
| WriterBar | TypoTab | |
|---|---|---|
| How you use it | Select text, press ⌥Space or click a PopClip button, pick an action; the rewrite replaces your selection in place | A menu bar tool with keyboard shortcuts |
| What it does | A built-in library of ready-made actions (writing, tone, productivity, developer, academic, business, customer support), plus your own custom actions | Grammar fixing, shortening, rephrasing, essay writing, code generation, cold emails, study notes and proposal intros |
| Custom actions | Yes, plus a built-in library of actions | Yes, actions can be customised |
| Works in | Any Mac app with selectable text | Any app, without switching |
| 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 |
AI models and privacy
| WriterBar | TypoTab | |
|---|---|---|
| Choosing the AI | 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) | Its homepage does not name the model or whether you can bring your own |
| 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 | Its homepage has a question about data collection; the answer is on its site |
Platform and compatibility
| WriterBar | TypoTab | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | macOS 14 or later, menu bar app | macOS menu bar app |
| Devices | Pro covers 3 devices | 1 device per subscription |
Pricing and licensing
| WriterBar | TypoTab | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | One-time purchase | Monthly or yearly subscription |
| Price | Standard $19, Pro $39, paid once | £6 a month, or £4 a month billed yearly |
| Usage limits | Credits for the built-in cloud AI, or your own API key | Unlimited use on both plans |
| Support | Email support at support@writerbar.app | The yearly plan adds 24/7 support and priority feature requests |
| Refunds | 14 days on one-time licenses | See its terms |
TypoTab's price is shown in pounds on its site; WriterBar's is in US dollars.
Where each one is stronger
TypoTab is stronger at
- A low monthly price, with a cheaper yearly rate.
- Unlimited use on both plans, with no credits to track.
- A broad set of writing jobs: essays, code, cold emails and study notes.
- 24/7 support and priority feature requests on the yearly plan.
WriterBar is stronger at
- Pay once instead of renewing.
- Choose the AI model or use your own API key.
- Snippets and signatures alongside rewriting.
- 3 devices on Pro rather than 1.
- PopClip support.
Which should you choose?
Choose TypoTab if
- You prefer a low monthly subscription with unlimited use and no credits to track.
- You only need quick fixes and rephrasing on a single Mac.
- You want priority support and feature requests on a yearly plan.
Choose WriterBar if
- You would rather pay once than keep a subscription running.
- You want to pick the AI model or use your own API key.
- You want snippets and signatures alongside rewriting, on up to 3 devices.
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 TypoTab cost?
Its site lists £6 a month, or £4 a month billed yearly, with unlimited use on both plans and 1 device per subscription.
Is TypoTab cheaper than WriterBar?
Per month, yes. But it is a subscription, so the cost continues every year, while WriterBar is $19 or $39 once.
Does TypoTab limit how much I can use it?
Its site says unlimited use on both plans. WriterBar’s built-in cloud AI uses credits, and using your own API key bills you through your provider instead.
Can I use WriterBar on more than one Mac?
Pro covers 3 devices. TypoTab’s subscription covers 1.
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 TypoTab comes from its public pages as of October 2026, so check TypoTab for current details. If something here is out of date, tell us at support@writerbar.app.