Frequently Asked Questions
Plain answers. No hedging.
Does my text leave my Mac?
No. In default local model mode, your text never leaves your Mac. The exact path: you select text in any app → macOS Accessibility API reads it → the bundled MLX model processes it on Apple Silicon → the rewritten text is written back inline → discarded from memory. No network request. No server. No log. Cloud backends (OpenAI, Ollama) are always opt-in and clearly labeled, never the default.
What Mac do I need?
macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later. Local model mode requires Apple Silicon (M1 or newer) because it's optimised for the Neural Engine. On Intel Macs, the app falls back to BYOK API mode.
Does it work in Slack, Mail, and Notion?
Yes. BetterPhrase uses macOS Accessibility APIs to read and replace selected text system-wide. It works in Slack, Mail, Notes, Notion, VS Code, browsers, and any app that supports standard text selection.
Can I control the tone?
Yes. Four built-in tones: Formal, Casual, Concise, and Expand. A custom tone field is available in Settings for power users who want to define their own style instruction.
Is there an API-key mode?
Yes. BYOK mode supports OpenAI and Ollama as optional backends. API keys are stored securely in the macOS Keychain, never in plain text or a config file.
How much does it cost?
BetterPhrase is a one-time purchase at $19.99. No subscription, no recurring fees. First 200 founding members get 30% off at launch.
What is your refund policy?
30-day refund, no questions asked. One license covers your personal Macs. For team licensing, email hello@betterphrase.app.
Is the model downloaded to my Mac?
Yes. A fine-tuned model (~50 MB) downloads automatically on first launch. It lives entirely on your device. No model calls happen over the network in local mode.
Still have a question? Email us or open the chat in the bottom right.