PhraseVault® is an offline text expander for Windows and Mac: you can create, search, and insert phrases without an internet connection. There's no cloud account or online license check. Keep your database on the computer, and your library is available even when you're disconnected.
What works without internet access?
- Creating and editing phrases
- Fuzzy search, using partial words or words in any order
- Inserting phrases, including dates and fill-in fields
- Starting the app and activating your license key
Press Ctrl+. on Windows or Cmd+. on Mac, search for a phrase, and press Enter to paste it into the app you're using. You don't need to memorize abbreviation triggers. The receiving app still needs to support working offline; PhraseVault can't make a cloud-only service available without a connection.
Can a team share phrases without internet?
Yes, through a database file on a shared local network drive. The computers must still be able to reach that drive — losing access to it also makes that library unavailable. Coordinate edits, since two people editing the same phrase can overwrite each other's changes. See team sharing.
Dropbox, OneDrive, and similar services are different: their syncing needs internet access. PhraseVault doesn't upload the file itself or merge conflicting copies.
When is offline use especially helpful?
Travel and unreliable connections
On a train, a plane, or a remote worksite, your locally stored phrases remain available. A PhraseVault server outage can't interrupt inserting them, because the app doesn't depend on one.
Restricted workplace networks
PhraseVault doesn't need an internet exception to create, search, or insert local phrases. Your organization's software approval and security rules still apply.
Privacy and predictable access
The app doesn't send your phrases or telemetry to the developer. For details on storage, sharing, and the apps you paste into, see PhraseVault and GDPR. Your license key is checked locally, with no subscription renewal or periodic server check. See one-time licensing.
When do I need a connection?
Downloading the installer or an update, buying a license, and opening online help use your browser and need internet access. Once the installer and your key are available, installation, first launch, and activation work offline. The app doesn't download updates automatically.
Does the command line stay on this computer?
The optional phrasevault command, under Settings → Security → Command line & AI agents, talks to PhraseVault on the same computer. Windows uses a local named pipe; a Mac uses a Unix socket. It opens no network port and needs no account. It stays off until you turn it on. See the command line guide.
Try PhraseVault offline
Download the 14-day free trial, then try it with the internet disconnected. No credit card or account is required. PhraseVault supports Windows 10 or later (x64) and macOS 13 or later with Apple Silicon.