Polish vs Fixkey

Last updated: June 2026

Short answer: both are system-wide AI text tools you trigger with a keyboard shortcut. Fixkey is a polished macOS-only app that runs grammar and dictation on-device but sends rewriting, translation and custom prompts to its cloud. Polish runs on macOS, Windows and Linux, and can do all of those tasks fully on-device in Local mode, with no account. Pick Polish if you want cross-platform, private or offline AI. Pick Fixkey if you are Mac-only and like its setup.

In one line: Fixkey is a Mac-only, cloud-backed writer. Polish is a cross-platform tool (Mac, Windows, Linux) that can run everything locally, with no account, from $4/month.

What each tool is

Fixkey is a native macOS writing assistant. Select text in any app, press a shortcut, and it fixes grammar, rewrites, translates or runs a custom prompt. Grammar fixes and dictation run on-device, while rewriting, translation and prompts are processed on Fixkey servers in Europe. It is mature and well made, but macOS only.

Polish is a native app for macOS, Windows and Linux. The same select-and-shortcut flow fixes, rewrites, translates, summarizes, reformats and answers questions about your text. Crucially, in Local mode every action runs on a fast on-device model (Gemma 3, Qwen 2.5 or Phi-4 Mini), so nothing leaves your machine. You can also use the Zero-Data-Retention cloud or your own API key, with no account either way.

Side by side

Feature	Polish	Fixkey
Platforms	macOS, Windows, Linux	macOS only
Local / offline AI	All actions can run on-device	Dictation and grammar on-device; rewrite, translate, prompts use the cloud
Where cloud text goes	Zero Data Retention, or your own API key	Stored on Fixkey servers (EU)
Account required	No, license key only	Yes, sign-in required
Pricing	Free 20/mo, Unlimited from $4/mo	Subscription, around $48/year
Bring your own AI key	Yes	No
Rewrite and tone	Formal, casual, clearer, shorter, confident, friendlier and more	Yes
Translate	50+ languages	Yes
Structure tools	Bullet list, Markdown table, ASCII diagram, action items	Limited
Ask and chat about text or a page	Yes	Not advertised
Voice dictation	Yes, on-device Whisper	Yes, on-device Whisper
Custom prompts and shortcuts	Yes	Yes

Where Polish pulls ahead

Cross-platform. Polish runs on Windows and Linux as well as macOS. Fixkey leaves PC and Linux users out entirely.
Truly local. Polish can run rewriting, translation and Q&A on-device, not just grammar. With Fixkey those go to the cloud.
No account. Polish stores a license key in your OS keychain. There is no sign-up and no profile.
More ways to transform. Beyond fix and rewrite: turn prose into a bullet list, a Markdown table or an ASCII diagram, extract action items, and shift tone (confident, friendlier, more empathetic, funnier).
Ask anything. Question the selected text, or a whole page, and chat to iterate, right from the popup.
Pricing and flexibility. A real free tier, Unlimited from $4/month, or bring your own API key.

Where Fixkey is strong

If you are Mac-only, it is a refined, native experience with a loyal following.
Its on-device dictation and quick grammar fixes are genuinely fast and private.
It is an established product with strong brand recognition.

Privacy and your data

Fixkey is a hybrid: dictation and grammar run on-device, but its rewriting, translation and custom-prompt features send your text to its servers, and it does not publicly name the AI providers it uses. Polish gives you a fully local mode where nothing leaves your machine, a cloud mode under Zero Data Retention, or your own API key. For private, on-premise-style or offline work, that difference matters.

The honest verdict

Fixkey is a great Mac-only tool if you live entirely on macOS and are happy for rewrites to use its cloud. Polish is the better fit if you work across Windows, Linux and Mac, want all of your AI to run privately on-device, prefer no account, or want to bring your own key. Same shortcut-driven idea, broader reach and more control.

Try Polish on Mac, Windows or Linux

Private, local, cross-platform AI in every app. 20 free transformations a month, no account.

Download Polish See pricing

Frequently asked questions

Is Polish a good Fixkey alternative?

Yes, especially if you need Windows or Linux support, want all AI actions to run locally and privately, or prefer no account. Fixkey is macOS only and uses its cloud for rewriting, translation and custom prompts.

Does Fixkey work on Windows or Linux?

No. Fixkey is a macOS-only app. Polish runs natively on macOS, Windows and Linux.

Is Fixkey fully local and private?

Partly. Fixkey runs dictation and basic grammar fixing on-device, but rewriting, translation and custom prompts are processed on its servers in Europe. Polish can run all of those actions on-device in Local mode, so nothing leaves your machine.

Which is cheaper, Polish or Fixkey?

Polish has a free tier (20 transformations a month, no account) and Unlimited from $4/month, plus the option to bring your own API key. Fixkey is a subscription at roughly $48/year.

Does Polish require an account like Fixkey?

No. Polish needs no sign-up. Your license key lives in your OS keychain. Fixkey requires creating an account to use its full features.