Software Alternatives & Startups

aText VS Reader Mode

Compare aText VS Reader Mode and see what are their differences

aText

aText accelerates your typing by replacing abbreviations with frequently used phrases you define.

Reader Mode

Remove clutter and ads from any article. Instantly ⚡

Rating
0 reviews
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Reader Mode should be more popular than aText. It has been mentioned 7 times since March 2021.

social mentions
2 vs 7
Writing Tools popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
124 vs 121

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

aText
Reader Mode
Website trankynam.com readermode.io
Platforms
Mac OSX Windows
—
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

aText 5 features
Reader Mode 6 features
  • Efficiency
    aText allows users to streamline repetitive typing tasks by creating custom shortcuts and text expansions, thus increasing productivity.
  • Customizability
    The application lets users set up personalized abbreviations for phrases, addresses, and other frequently used text, making it highly adaptable to individual needs.
  • Cross-app Compatibility
    aText works across various applications, ensuring that text expansion features are accessible in email clients, browsers, and other software.
  • Cost-effective
    aText is relatively affordable compared to other text expansion software, providing a robust feature set at a lower price point.
  • User-friendly Interface
    The software boasts an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for users of all experience levels.

Possible disadvantages

  • Platform Limitation
    As of now, aText is only available for macOS, which excludes users who are on Windows or other operating systems.
  • Learning Curve
    Although the interface is user-friendly, new users might still face a modest learning curve when setting up and optimizing their shortcuts.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    aText may lack some advanced features found in competitive text expansion tools, such as built-in scripting and advanced form-filling capabilities.
  • No Mobile Version
    There is no mobile application for aText, which limits its use to desktop and laptop environments, excluding smartphones and tablets.
  • Simplified Reading Experience
    Reader Mode strips away ads, pop-ups, and other distractions, providing a clean and focused environment for reading content.
  • Customization Options
    Reader Mode offers various customization features, like font size, style, background color, and text spacing, to make reading comfortable for different users.
  • Read-Aloud Feature
    It includes a text-to-speech feature that enables users to listen to the content, which is beneficial for visually impaired users or those who prefer auditory learning.
  • Offline Reading
    Users can save articles for offline reading, allowing them to access their favorite content without an internet connection.
  • Annotation Tools
    Reader Mode offers tools for highlighting text, adding notes, and bookmarking, which can be useful for research or study purposes.
  • Clutter-free Printing
    It provides an option to print web pages without unnecessary elements, making the printed document clean and more readable.

Possible disadvantages

  • Compatibility Issues
    Reader Mode may not work perfectly on all websites, particularly those with complex layouts or heavy use of multimedia.
  • Limited Features in Free Version
    While the basic functions are free, more advanced features and customization options require a subscription.
  • Possible Formatting Problems
    In some cases, the stripped-down version of the content may lose valuable information or alter the original formatting, affecting the reading experience.
  • Dependency on Extensions
    Reader Mode typically requires browser extensions or add-ons, which might not be available or compatible with all browsers.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Users might be wary of granting permissions to a third-party extension, which could potentially access their browsing data.
  • Resource Intensive
    Using extensions like Reader Mode can consume additional system resources, potentially affecting browser performance and speed.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

aText
Reader Mode

Overall verdict

  • Yes, aText is considered good for its intended purpose.

Why this product is good

  • aText is known for being a reliable text expansion application that helps increase typing efficiency by allowing users to create shortcuts for commonly used phrases, code snippets, or other text. It is lightweight, easy to use, and offers features like snippet organization, cloud synchronization, and compatibility with various applications, which contribute to its positive reputation.

Recommended for

    aText is recommended for individuals who frequently type repetitive text, such as professional writers, developers, customer support representatives, and anyone looking to enhance typing productivity and efficiency.

Overall verdict

  • Reader Mode is generally considered a worthwhile tool for those who frequently engage in reading online content and value a distraction-free, personalized reading experience. Its additional features geared toward accessibility make it a strong option for a variety of users.

Why this product is good

  • Reader Mode (readermode.io) is designed to enhance the online reading experience by stripping away distractions like ads, sidebars, and other non-essential elements, providing users with a clean and focused environment. It also offers features like text-to-speech, dyslexia-friendly settings, and customizable themes, which can significantly benefit those with specific reading preferences or needs.

Recommended for

    Reader Mode is recommended for avid readers, individuals with attention difficulties, accessibility needs (such as visual impairments or dyslexia), and anyone who prefers a clean, minimalist reading interface for online content.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

aText 3 videos + Add
Reader Mode 2 videos + Add

aText a $4.99 alternative to TextExpander, demo / tutorial

More videos

  • - aText - Save Time with Text Expansion on the Mac
  • - Type Faster with aText #30DaysOfVideos

Over in a Minute Reviews Reader Mode

More videos

  • - Hidden Reader Mode for Google Chrome

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
aText
Reader Mode
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
48% 48%
52% 52%

User comments

Share your experience with using aText and Reader Mode. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

aText 5.0 · 1 review
Reader Mode no reviews yet
  • Indispensable productivity tool
    SaaSHub review
    · Oct 2019

    I've been using aText for quite some time, and it's been amazing. If you are typing a lot, I'm sure you would be able to optimize your work tremendously. You can have abbreviations for your closing email...

  • Best Text Expander apps for MacOS
    techwiser.com · Mar 2018

    aText is marketed as a text accelerator by its makers. The aText lacks the TextExpanders interface but it does make it up when it comes to other aspects. With aText you can preset a slew of texts and other stuff that...

  • What's a good alternative to Textexpander for Mac?
    www.producthunt.com · Aug 2017

    10aTextView ProductMichelle NickolaisenOwner, Bombchelle Industries · Written 4y agoI use aText and I've had 1-2 very minor issues with it over the years, but nothing major. It's definitely worth the $5 fee if you...

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We have no reviews of Reader Mode yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

aText 2 mentions
Reader Mode 7 mentions
  • Add suites (playing cards)
    I think I have a solution for you. I use an app called aText (there are many similar, but this one's my favorite) on my Mac and my PC to make my own shortcuts for phrases and symbols, like this. Source: over 3 years ago
  • How to change the date format?
    Not quite the answer you're looking for, but I use aText, so I can make my own date format, and my own shortcut, and it can be universal — and I can make all kinds of shortcuts for all kinds of other things, like symbols, emojis, and... Source: over 3 years ago
  • The "Cheap" Web
    I usually tend to use Reader mode in Safari or ReaderMode[1] in Google Chrome. In-fact, I have set Reader Mode as default for a few common website such as that of PG's. 1. https://readermode.io/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
  • Confusion and hurt ripples through Maple Leafs in wake of Kyle Dubas’ dismissal
    You can use reader mode on a computer too Https://readermode.io/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Is there a "reader mode" website?
    You probably used a site called outline.com but unfortunately the website was recently discontinued. There are many chrome extensions for it, which many of them can be used on chrome for android, as well as the fact that the safari... Source: almost 4 years ago

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Alternatives to aText and Reader Mode

When comparing aText and Reader Mode, you can also consider the following products.