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Head to head · 2026

Alter vs PaletteBrain

Pricing, free plans, ratings, features, pros and cons, side by side. Where one comes out ahead, we mark it.

Alter

Mac assistant that executes actions across native apps instead of answering in a chat window

4.0$20/mo

Visit Alter (opens Alter in a new tab)

PaletteBrain

Select text in any Mac app, hit Space, run a custom AI command, paste the result…

3.4$29/mo

Visit PaletteBrain (opens PaletteBrain in a new tab)

Who comes out ahead

Based only on the facts in our directory. The right pick still depends on the job you need done.

  • Lower starting price

    Alter

    From $20/mo against from $29/mo

  • Free plan

    Alter

    Only Alter has one

  • Higher rating

    Alter

    4.0 against 3.4

  • Same job?

    Yes

    Both are Productivity tools

Side by side

Compared onAlterPaletteBrain
Our rating4.0Better3.4
Starts at$20/moBetter$29/mo
Free planYesBetterNo
CategoryProductivityProductivity
PlansFrom $20/moFrom $29/mo
Key features
  • System-wide macOS assistant triggered by shortcut or voice
  • Executes actions inside native apps rather than returning chat text
  • Reads on-screen context to skip copy-and-paste steps
  • Per-context privacy controls over what gets shared
  • Custom action library the user can extend
  • Works with any macOS app or website via keyboard shortcut
  • Custom AI commands - grammar, translation, summarization, code refactoring
  • Bring-your-own OpenAI/Azure API key, pay-as-you-go
  • Organized conversation history across all AI chats
  • Lifetime license, no recurring subscription
Pros
  • Removes the copy-paste loop between a chat window and real work
  • Keyboard-first design suits users who avoid the mouse
  • Privacy controls are exposed rather than buried
  • Genuine lifetime pricing instead of an ongoing subscription
  • No window-switching keeps AI assistance inside the actual workflow
  • BYO API key avoids paying for a separate ChatGPT Plus subscription
Cons
  • macOS only, with no Windows or Linux build
  • Action coverage depends on which apps expose automation hooks
  • Mac-only - no Windows or Linux version
  • Requires managing your own API key and its associated costs
  • Broader model support (Google, Anthropic, xAI) is still on the roadmap, not live yet
CompanyAlterPaletteBrain

Prices come from each vendor's pricing page, last checked 20260826. Check the vendor before you buy.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Is Alter better than PaletteBrain?

In our reviews Alter scores 4.0 and PaletteBrain scores 3.4. The better pick depends on the job. Alter: Mac assistant that executes actions across native apps instead of answering in a chat window. PaletteBrain: Select text in any Mac app, hit Space, run a custom AI command, paste the result back - no window switching, bring your own OpenAI key, pay once for lifetime access.

Which is cheaper, Alter or PaletteBrain?

Alter has the lower starting price: from $20/mo for Alter and from $29/mo for PaletteBrain.

Do Alter and PaletteBrain have free plans?

Only Alter has a free plan.

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