Espanso vs Glaido
Espanso is a free, open-source text expander for Windows, Mac and Linux, configured with plain text files and extended with scripts.
Price
- Espanso
- Free
- Glaido
- Basic is free with every extension. Pro adds unlimited dictation.
Espanso
GlaidoPlatforms
- Espanso
- macOS, Windows, Linux
- Glaido
- macOS, Windows 11, Linux
Glaido covers it with
Espanso and Glaido, feature by feature
What both do comes first, then where Espanso is stronger, then what Glaido adds.
| Feature | Espanso | Glaido |
|---|---|---|
| Expand a trigger in any appBoth | EspansoAs you type | GlaidoType it and press the marker key |
| Windows, Mac and LinuxBoth | Espanso | Glaido |
| Search snippetsBoth | EspansoSearch bar | GlaidoSnippets in Spotlight |
| FreeBoth | EspansoOpen source | GlaidoOn every plan |
| Scripts and shell commandsEspanso leads | Espanso | Glaido |
| Forms and regex triggersEspanso leads | Espanso | Glaido |
| Community packagesEspanso leads | EspansoEspanso Hub | Glaido |
| Edit snippets in an appGlaido leads | EspansoYAML files | GlaidoThe Snippets page |
| Get things done by voiceGlaido leads | Espanso | GlaidoSay a trigger while dictating, or "insert my email signature" |
Espanso
GlaidoWhat each costs over a year
| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free and open source (GPL-3.0). | $0 |
| Plan | What you get | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Text Snippet Expansion, every other extension, and dictation with a weekly word limit. | $0 |
| Pro | $20 a month, or $200 a year billed yearly. Unlimited dictation and every extension. | $200 |
Glaido's extensions are free on every plan, so replacing Espanso costs nothing.
Espanso prices checked on November 4, 2026 on Espanso's pricing page. Taxes and regional prices can differ.
Where they're the same
Espanso and Glaido both expand a short trigger into a saved snippet in any app, on Windows, Mac and Linux, and both let you search your snippets when you forget a trigger. Both are free.
Where Espanso is ahead
Espanso is open source and configured in YAML files, so your snippets can live in version control. Snippets can run scripts and shell commands, ask for values in a form, and match regex triggers. The Espanso Hub has community packages.
Where Glaido is ahead
Glaido keeps snippets on a page in the app, with no files to edit. The same snippets work when you dictate: say the trigger on its own, or ask for a snippet by name. Glaido also brings clipboard history, a color picker and more in the same app.
Cost
Both are free. Glaido's Text Snippet Expansion is included on every Glaido plan.
Which one should you pick?
Pick Espanso if
- You're happy editing YAML and want snippets in version control.
- You need scripts, forms or regex triggers.
- You want open-source software.
Pick Glaido if
- You'd rather add and edit snippets in an app.
- You want the same snippets when you dictate and when you type.
- You want clipboard history and a color picker in the same app.
Add up what you pay for
Tick the apps you pay for today. The total uses each app's lowest paid plan.
Totals stay in each app's own currency. Nothing is converted.
Espanso vs Glaido: questions
Can Glaido read my Espanso files?
No. Add the snippets you use most on Glaido's Snippets page.
Does Glaido expand without a key press?
No. Glaido waits for the marker key, Tab unless you change it, so normal words never expand by accident. Espanso expands as soon as the trigger is typed.
Does Glaido's text expansion work on Wayland?
Yes, where Glaido can read the keyboard. In a session that only allows the desktop's shortcut portal, typed expansion stays off, and Spotlight and voice still insert snippets.
Compare Glaido with other apps
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Paid plans from $60 a year
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Alfred vs Glaido
Alfred is a Mac launcher that searches your Mac and the web. Its paid Powerpack adds clipboard history, snippets and workflows.
Paid plans from £34 once
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Raycast vs Glaido
Raycast is a keyboard launcher with built-in clipboard history, snippets and window management, plus a store of community extensions.
Paid plans from $96 a year
Read the comparisonSources: Espanso, Espanso on GitHub
Glaido is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Espanso project, the owner of the Espanso trademark.
