Writing Tools and Rephrase compared
| Apple Writing Tools | Rephrase | |
|---|---|---|
| What it needs | A Mac with M1 or later and a macOS version that supports Apple Intelligence (Apple Support: How to get the next generation of Apple Intelligence) | macOS 14 or later, Accessibility permission, and a Google account |
| What it does | Proofread, rewrite, or summarize text, or compose text with ChatGPT (Apple Newsroom: Apple Intelligence features expand to new languages and regions today) | Rewrites the selection in one of four styles, or lets Auto pick the style. Opens with ⌃⌥R. |
| Where your text goes | Processed on device, or on Apple's Private Cloud Compute for larger models (Apple Newsroom: Apple Intelligence features expand to new languages and regions today) | Our API and Google Gemini. With Auto on (the default), part of it also goes to TypeSafe. |
| Cost | Built into macOS on eligible Macs | Free for 20 rephrases a month; Pro $4.99 a month or $29.99 a year |
When Writing Tools is the better choice
If your Mac runs Apple Intelligence, try Writing Tools first. It is built into macOS, so there is nothing else to install. Apple says requests are processed on your Mac, or on Private Cloud Compute when they need a larger model (Apple Newsroom: Apple Intelligence features expand to new languages and regions today). It also summarizes and can compose text with ChatGPT, which Rephrase does not. French and several other languages have been supported since macOS Sequoia 15.4.
When Rephrase fits better
- Your Mac or macOS version can't run Apple Intelligence. Apple lists the requirements on its support page (Apple Support: How to get the next generation of Apple Intelligence). Rephrase needs macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later.
- You want a keyboard-first flow. Select text, press ⌃⌥R, and press Return to paste the rewrite back. The shortcut works in any app where ⌘C works, and you can change it in Settings.
- You want set styles. Pick Professional, Friendly, Concise, or Fix grammar, or leave Auto on and let Rephrase pick one for each rewrite. See what each style does.
What you give up with Rephrase
- Your text is processed in the cloud, by our API and Google's Gemini API. We never store it. With Auto on, part of it also goes to TypeSafe, which may keep it. The privacy notice has the details.
- You sign in with a Google account before your first rewrite.
- The Free plan stops at 20 rephrases a month. Pro has no monthly limit.
- It rewrites and fixes grammar. It does not summarize or compose new text.
Looking at other options too? See four ways to rewrite selected text on a Mac, including ChatGPT and Raycast.
