Breevy has been around for 15 years and gets the job done if you’re Windows-only and like one-time purchases. But it’s starting to show its age. If you need to work across multiple devices, want native cloud sync instead of Dropbox, or need your team to share snippets, you’ll probably want something else. This guide walks through what’s actually better depending on what you use.
Quick overview: what is Breevy?
Breevy is a Windows-only text expander made by 16 Software. You pay $34.95 once and own it forever—no subscription. It comes with 6,500 typo fixes and 13,500 medical abbreviations baked in, which is useful if you work with healthcare terminology. It can import your snippets from TextExpander, which makes switching over less painful. The catch: Breevy doesn’t sync natively. You have to use Dropbox if you want your snippets on another device. If you’re Mac-only or need actual cloud sync, this won’t work for you.
Why seek a Breevy alternative?
Breevy is Windows-only with no mobile apps. That’s a hard stop if you use a Mac or have an iPhone. The Dropbox sync is clunky—you’re basically using Breevy as a middleman between the app and your cloud storage. There’s no team collaboration, so if your coworkers need access to your snippet library, you’re out of luck. It also hasn’t kept pace with newer features like conditional expansions or smart automation. If any of these matter to you, you should look elsewhere.
Top Breevy alternatives in 2026
1. TextExpander: the cross-platform upgrade
TextExpander is the most complete upgrade from Breevy. It runs on Windows, Mac, iPad, and iPhone. Your Snippets sync automatically across everything without needing Dropbox or any manual setup.
You get team plans so coworkers can access shared libraries, conditional logic so expansions change based on context, and fill-in-the-blank prompts for customizable responses. It handles shell commands and JavaScript if you need advanced functionality. The import from Breevy is straightforward. At $3.33/month for individuals with team plans available, you’re paying for real cloud sync, proper support, and ongoing development.
2. PhraseExpress
PhraseExpress has a free version for Windows and Mac, with paid tiers for more features. Your snippets stay on your computer by default—no cloud unless you set it up yourself. It handles context-based expansions where the same trigger does different things in different applications.
The interface is more complicated than Breevy. If you’re not comfortable with advanced settings and configuration, expect a learning curve. There’s no native cloud sync and limited team features compared to TextExpander.
3. Beeftext
Beeftext is free and open-source for Windows. You won’t get the preloaded typo fixes or medical abbreviations Breevy has, but if you just need to expand your own snippets locally, it handles that.
The catch: it’s in maintenance mode. Feature development has stopped. No cloud sync, no team features, and don’t expect updates. It works for basic text expansion, but if you need reliability and ongoing development, look elsewhere.
4. Text Blaze
Text Blaze is a browser extension for Chrome and Edge. If you work primarily in Gmail, Google Forms, or web apps, it covers those contexts. The free version is functional. Paid tiers add cloud sync and team features.
The significant limitation: it only works in your browser. No expansion in desktop applications like Word, Outlook desktop, or native apps. If your workflow is mostly web-based, it handles that. Otherwise, you’ll hit walls quickly.
5. Typinator
Typinator is Mac-only at $39.99 one-time. If you’re switching to Mac or already use one, it’s an option for text expansion with regex support.
It doesn’t sync natively—you’d need to set up iCloud or Dropbox yourself. No team features. No Windows or mobile apps. It’s only relevant if you’re committed to Mac-only and don’t need cross-platform support.
6. Espanso
Espanso is free and open-source for Windows, Mac, and Linux. You edit plain text YAML configuration files, which appeals to developers comfortable with that workflow.
No GUI—you’re editing config files in a text editor. No built-in cloud sync; you manage file syncing yourself. Support comes from the community, not a company. If you’re technical and prioritize privacy, it’s an option. If you want something that works without reading documentation, skip it.
Comparison table
| Tool | Windows | Mac | Price | Cloud Sync | Team Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TextExpander | Yes | Yes | $3.33/month | Yes (automatic) | Yes | Cross-platform users, teams |
| Breevy | Yes | No | $34.95 one-time | Dropbox only | No | Windows-only, budget preference |
| PhraseExpress | Yes | Yes | Free/Pro versions | Manual setup | Limited | Users wanting local control |
| Beeftext | Yes | No | Free | No | No | Basic needs, maintenance mode |
| Text Blaze | Browser | Browser | Free/Premium | Yes | Limited | Browser-only workflows |
| Typinator | No | Yes | $39.99 one-time | Manual (iCloud/Dropbox) | No | Solo Mac users |
| Espanso | Yes | Yes | Free | Manual (Git/files) | No | Developers comfortable with config files |
How to choose the right Breevy alternative
The main reasons people leave Breevy are the Windows-only limitation, clunky Dropbox sync, and lack of team features. TextExpander addresses all three: apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android with automatic cloud sync and built-in team collaboration.
If you’re staying Windows-only and want free, Beeftext handles basic expansion—though it’s no longer actively developed. PhraseExpress offers more features but requires more configuration and doesn’t have native cloud sync.
If your work happens entirely in a browser, Text Blaze covers that, but won’t help with desktop applications.
If you’re technical and want free cross-platform support, Espanso works—if you’re comfortable editing YAML files and managing your own sync.
For most people upgrading from Breevy, TextExpander is the straightforward choice. The workflow is familiar, your snippets import easily, and the limitations that make Breevy frustrating don’t exist.
Moving beyond Breevy
Breevy works if you’re committed to Windows-only and comfortable with Dropbox sync. But it’s showing its age. If you need Mac support, native cloud sync, mobile apps, or team sharing, you need to switch.
TextExpander is the complete upgrade—cross-platform, automatic sync, team features, and active development. The other tools in this list solve narrower problems but come with their own limitations: no cloud sync, browser-only, maintenance mode, or requiring technical setup. Pick what matches your actual workflow, but for most Breevy users, TextExpander is where to go.
