Espanso vs Raycast in 2026: Snippets, Fees and Setup Compared
Espanso, Raycast and Copilot AI Productivity Suite compared on what each does for developers, what each costs and what to check before you choose.
SupaKeeper is published by LunarWerx, which makes some of the tools compared here.
Espanso and Raycast are each described below from their own pages, and Copilot AI Productivity Suite is a VS Code extension [1], so the right pick depends on where you work.
| Option | What its sources say it does | Cost | Account or install |
|---|---|---|---|
| Espanso | Works with most applications [2]; uses simple configuration files [2]; inserts dates in the past and future [2]; puts terminal output directly into applications [2] | Price not stated; its page asks for donations [2] and accepts them through PayPal [2] | Runs on Windows, Linux and macOS [2]; account not published |
| Raycast | Inserts a snippet by typing its keyword [3]; lets you assign hotkeys or aliases to commands and apps [3]; launches anything from anywhere with quicklinks [3]; its extension API is designed for anyone with web development skills [3] | Individual plan: not charged [4]. Pro plans: include AI, and the facts for this page give no Pro price [4] | Can be downloaded and used for free [3]; extensions built once work on macOS and Windows [3]; account not published |
| Copilot AI Productivity Suite | Inserts a saved snippet into Copilot Chat when you type #copilotsuite /snippet_id [1]; fills in values for placeholders such as ${name} [1]; syncs with a signed-in account [1] | Free plan at $0 allows 20 Copilot insertions a week [1]; Premium costs $6.99 a month with unlimited Copilot insertions [1] | VS Code extension needing VS Code 1.116.0 or newer [1]; installed as LunarWerx.copilot-suite from the VS Code Marketplace [1]; sign-in is optional [1] |
The short answer
Espanso, Raycast and Copilot AI Productivity Suite reach different parts of a developer's day, so start by deciding which part needs help. Espanso can inject the output of shell commands or scripts directly into applications [2]. Raycast lets you build an extension once and make it available to users on both macOS and Windows [3]. Copilot AI Productivity Suite inserts a saved snippet into a Copilot Chat conversation in VS Code when you type its command [1].
If you need command output placed into the application you are working in, Espanso's sources describe that feature [2]. If you want one extension that works on both macOS and Windows, Raycast's sources say that is possible [3]. If you want saved snippets inside a Copilot Chat conversation in VS Code, the approved claims for Copilot AI Productivity Suite cover that [1].
What Espanso and Raycast are built for
Espanso's own page says it can put terminal output directly into applications [2]. It also offers packages that add features such as mathematical notation and German accents [2]. Its page says it is licensed under the GPL-3 license [2].
Raycast's own page says an extension built once can reach Raycast users on both macOS and Windows [3]. The same page says Raycast only offers Pro plans that include AI [4].
The facts available for this page cover only a few points about each tool's purpose, so the fuller picture is on each tool's own site.
What Copilot AI Productivity Suite is built for
Copilot AI Productivity Suite is made by the team that publishes this site. It is a VS Code extension that needs VS Code 1.116.0 or newer, and it is also on Open VSX for Cursor, Windsurf and VSCodium [1]. You install it from the VS Code Marketplace as LunarWerx.copilot-suite [1].
Typing #copilotsuite /snippet_id inserts the exact saved snippet template into the conversation [1]. Placeholders such as `${name}` or `${name:default}` ask you for a value when the snippet is inserted [1]. Snippets can sit in nested folders, and several can be bundled into a group that is referenced all at once [1]. You can select several snippets and move, delete or insert them together [1]. You can pin up to five favorite snippets to the VS Code status bar [1].
A bundled local server makes your snippets and groups available to Claude Code, Codex CLI and other tools that connect to it [1]. From the sidebar, you can create and edit the settings files that shape how Copilot behaves, such as its saved instructions and reusable prompts [1]. You can export snippets as JSON or make a share link, and teammates can import it [1].
If you sign in with an account, using a one-time code sent by email, your snippets, groups and settings sync across your machines [1]. While VS Code telemetry is on, the suite sends anonymous usage statistics but never snippet content [1]. The extension uses a proprietary licence, and the software is proprietary and confidential to LunarWerx [1].
Pricing and fees
The facts for this page do not state a price for Espanso, so check its own site for current pricing.
Raycast does not charge for its individual plan [4]. Its Pro plans include AI [4]. The facts for this page give no price for Pro, so check Raycast's own pricing before you decide.
Copilot AI Productivity Suite has a Free plan at $0 that allows 20 Copilot insertions a week [1]. Its Premium plan costs $6.99 a month and has unlimited Copilot insertions [1]. No other fee is listed in the facts for this page.
Setting it up and daily use
For Espanso, the facts for this page cover its packages, which add features such as mathematical notation and German accents [2], and its ability to put terminal output directly into applications [2]. The facts for this page say nothing about installing it, so check its own site for setup steps.
For Raycast, an extension you build once works on both macOS and Windows [3]. Installation steps are not in the facts for this page.
To set up Copilot AI Productivity Suite, you install it from the VS Code Marketplace [1] on VS Code 1.116.0 or newer [1]. Day to day, you type #copilotsuite followed by a snippet's id to insert it [1]. If you turn on the slash command export, each snippet is written out as a slash command file for Claude Code and Codex CLI, and the files stay in sync as you edit [1].
Things to check before you choose
Check that the tool you pick runs on your operating system and in the editor or app you use every day, using each tool's own requirements. For Copilot AI Productivity Suite, the approved claims name VS Code 1.116.0 or newer, and it is also listed on Open VSX for Cursor, Windsurf and VSCodium [1].
Ask whether you need your snippets to reach a command-line tool such as Claude Code or Codex CLI. The suite's bundled server makes them available to those tools [1]. Check whether Espanso or Raycast does the same on its own site.
Ask whether you want sign-in and sync. The suite syncs snippets and settings across machines when you sign in with an account [1]. Check how the other two handle sync.
Ask what leaves your machine. While VS Code telemetry is on, the suite sends anonymous usage statistics but never snippet content [1]. Check each tool's own privacy notes.
Ask whether a free tier covers your use. The suite's Free plan allows 20 Copilot insertions a week [1].
How to choose
If you need command output inserted into applications, Espanso's sources describe that feature [2]. If you want one Raycast extension that works on both macOS and Windows, Raycast's sources cover that [3]. If you want saved snippets inside a Copilot Chat conversation in VS Code, with a free plan for light use, the approved claims for Copilot AI Productivity Suite match that [1] [1]. If you want your snippets to reach Claude Code and Codex CLI, the suite's bundled server and optional slash command export do that [1] [1].
Frequently asked questions
Is Espanso free to use?
The facts for this page do not state a price for Espanso, so this page cannot say whether it costs anything. Its source is licensed under the GPL-3 license [2], which is a fact about its license rather than its price. Check Espanso's own site for current pricing before you decide, and read its license terms if you plan to modify or redistribute it.
Does Raycast charge for its individual plan?
No. Raycast does not charge for the individual (free) plan [4]. Its Pro plans include AI [4]. The facts for this page give no price for Pro, so check Raycast's own pricing before you decide whether a paid plan suits your use.
Can Copilot AI Productivity Suite be used for free?
Yes, there is a Free plan at $0 that allows 20 Copilot insertions a week [1]. The Premium plan costs $6.99 a month and has unlimited Copilot insertions [1]. If you sign in with an account, using a one-time code sent by email, your snippets, groups and settings sync across your machines [1].
Can Copilot AI Productivity Suite work with Claude Code and Codex CLI?
Yes, in two ways. A bundled local server makes your snippets and groups available to Claude Code, Codex CLI and other tools that connect to it [1]. If you turn on the slash command export, each snippet is also written out as a slash command file for Claude Code and Codex CLI, and those files stay in sync as you edit [1].
Can Espanso insert the output of a shell command?
Yes. Espanso can inject the output of shell commands or scripts directly into applications [2]. It also offers packages that add features such as mathematical notation and German accents [2]. The facts for this page say nothing about how that output is set up, so check Espanso's own site for the steps.
There is a Free plan at $0 that allows 20 Copilot insertions a week. [1]
Try Copilot AI Productivity SuiteSources
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