RewriteBar

RewriteBar feels like having a writing coach perched in your menu bar. Designed for macOS power users, it integrates AI-powered text editing into apps like Notion, Chrome, and WordPress. Key features include real-time grammar checks, tone adjustments (from casual to formal), and translation across 30+ languages. What sets it apart is its keyboard shortcut customization, letting you trigger actions like ‘Simplify Text’ or ‘Expand Length’ without touching the mouse. While it’s marketed for non-native English speakers, I found it equally useful for polishing marketing copy or academic drafts. The free trial is generous, and the one-time purchase model ($29) avoids subscription fatigue.

Target Customer Profile

Alternative To

• Grammarly: More robust grammar checks but lacks macOS menu bar integration and keyboard shortcut customization.
• Wordtune: Focuses on paraphrasing but requires a subscription and doesn’t support offline use.
• DeepL Write: Superior translation accuracy but operates only in a browser, disrupting workflow.

Design (UI) and Usability (UX)

The UI is minimalist, a small menu bar icon that expands into a clean dropdown. Actions are grouped intuitively (e.g., ‘Correct,’ ‘Translate,’ ‘Tone’), with a preview pane for edits. Dark mode isn’t supported, which feels odd for a macOS app, but the contrast is sharp. Keyboard shortcuts are a standout: I mapped ⌘+Shift+R to ‘Rewrite’ in under a minute. However, advanced users might crave more customization (e.g., creating custom AI prompts).

Security and Speed

The app runs locally but connects to AI APIs for processing, response times are snappy (1-3 seconds). No mention of end-to-end encryption in their privacy policy, though they claim data isn’t stored. Offline functionality is limited to basic corrections.

Accessibility

Supports screen readers minimally, the menu bar dropdown isn’t fully VoiceOver-compatible. Language options are output-focused (translations) rather than UI localization. No adjustable font sizes or high-contrast themes.

Ending

RewriteBar is perfect for macOS users who want AI writing help without switching apps. If you juggle multilingual content or need quick tone tweaks, it’s worth the $29. Try the free trial, you might ditch your clunky browser-based editors. Just don’t expect enterprise-grade security or accessibility yet.

Score 4.1

A polished tool with room to grow in accessibility and customization.

• Design (UI): 4/5 – Clean and intuitive, but lacks dark mode and UI personalization.
• Usability (UX): 4.5/5 – Keyboard shortcuts and app integration make workflows seamless.
• Speed: 4.2/5 – Fast responses, though reliant on internet for AI processing.
• Security: 3.8/5 – No clear encryption details; privacy policy needs transparency.
• Accessibility: 3/5 – Minimal support for screen readers or UI localization.
• Growth Potential: 4.5/5 – Positioned well as macOS-native AI tools gain traction.

Suggestions for Improvement

• Add dark mode and UI language options (e.g., Spanish, Chinese).
• Clarify data encryption practices in the privacy policy.
• Integrate basic offline grammar checks for users without constant internet.
• Expand VoiceOver compatibility for visually impaired users.