The short version
Both draw a grey suggestion after your cursor, and both predict on your Mac. Apple’s suggests a word or a short phrase and is free. WeType suggests the rest of the sentence, can take the message you are replying to into account, and gives you control over the model, the keys and the behaviour in each app. It costs $20 once or $6 a month after a free trial.
Are you still okay to pick up the kids at 4?
Yes, I'll leave the office at half three so I'm there in time.
Side by side
| macOS inline predictions | WeType | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, built in | $20 once or $6/month; 5-day free trial |
| Typical suggestion | A word or short phrase | Up to the rest of the sentence (length adjustable) |
| Accept key | Space | Tab for one word; the key above Tab for all of it; both rebindable |
| Reads the conversation around the field | Not configurable | Yes, with models of about 1.5 GB or larger |
| Model | Apple's, fixed | Your choice of 9, including code models |
| Per-app settings | No; one global switch | Yes: off, Tab off, insertion method, mid-line |
| Learns your style | Apple says it adapts to how you type | From a local sample of your sentences you can read and delete |
| Language control | Follows your input sources | Automatic, or pinned to one of 15 languages |
| Works in | Many apps with standard text fields | Any app with a standard text field, including browsers and Electron apps |
| Runs on | Built into macOS Sonoma and later | Apple Silicon Macs, macOS 14 or later |
Where Apple’s is the better choice
- You mostly want the next word. For short, common phrases, Apple’s predictions are quick, free and need no setup.
- You do not want another app. Nothing to install, nothing to grant, no model to download.
- You are on an Intel Mac. WeType needs Apple Silicon.
Where WeType does more
- Whole sentences, in context. With a mid-sized model, WeType reads the email or message around the field, so a reply suggestion answers what was asked.
- Taking part of a suggestion. Tab accepts one word, so you can keep the start of a prediction and finish it yourself, rather than all-or-nothing.
- Keys that do not collide with typing. Accepting with Space means a fast typist sometimes accepts by accident; a dedicated key avoids that, and both of WeType’s keys can be rebound.
- Control per app. Turn it off in one app, disable Tab where Tab already means something, or pause everything for an hour from the menu bar.
- Code. Pick a code-tuned model for commit messages, comments and documentation.
Running both
Do not. Two tools drawing grey text at the same cursor overlap and become unreadable. If you try WeType, switch off Apple’s inline predictions first (WeType offers to open the right settings during setup); here is how to do it by hand. If you go back, switch them on again the same way.