Compare for free.
Go further with JuxtaText+

Q&A

What is JuxtaText+?

JuxtaText+ is a paid tier that unlocks advanced features in the forthcoming version of JuxtaText.

What features will JuxtaText+ provide?

JuxtaText+ unlocks four main features at launch: exporting text, TwinFocus, markdown highlighting and a 3-pane merge tool.

What is TwinFocus?

TwinFocus is a convenient way to keep track of how words on one side of a comparison relate to words on the other side. Just hover the pointer over a word and the matching word also gets highlighted. It comes in super handy when you’re looking at a long paragraph of text with many scattered differences. You can also track how word matching changes while you edit.

What is happening to syntax highlighting in JuxtaText 2?

JuxtaText 2 will no longer support highlighting the hundreds of syntaxes that it currently does. JuxtaText+ will, however, enable highlighting of markdown with improved formatting and even auto-detect markdown in pasted text.

Why limit syntax highlighting?

JuxtaText originally spun out of JuxtaCode as a way to raise awareness of the larger, more capable app. It was released in the Developer Tools category of the Mac App Store, but user feedback soon indicated that it was being picked up by non-developers with a wide range of use cases that didn’t involve comparing code.

So I think it makes sense to reposition JuxtaText as a general productivity app rather than a developer tool. This also differentiates it from JuxtaCode which remains available as a great tool for tracking changes to code, with full syntax highlighting capabilities.

Put another way, it’s a product decision intended to make ongoing development of JuxtaText (and JuxtaCode) as sustainable as possible.

Why is the 3-way merge tool becoming a paid feature?

I want to keep JuxtaText free for people who just need to compare text and see what’s changed. Workflows that involve editing will be part of JuxtaText+, and 3-way merging falls into that category as it’s a tool for resolving differences and combining changes into a new version.

Will JuxtaText+ require a subscription? How much will it cost?

Yes. My current plan is for JuxtaText+ to be a US $10 yearly subscription with a monthly subscription option. I’m still considering this though and I welcome early feedback on it.

Can I try the JuxtaText+ features before paying?

Yes. Most of the JuxtaText+ features will have time-limited demos available before you even start a subscription. And the subscriptions themselves come with a fully-unlocked trial period.

The ability to edit text will be fully unlocked in the free version and your edits will persist within the .juxta document. You just can’t export your changes in plain text form until you upgrade. Warnings will pop up to remind you about this because I want users to be able to get a complete sense of how the editing feature works, but I don’t want them to fall into the trap of having meaningful work locked behind a paywall.

Right now, you can also sign up for the TestFlight version to try out all the features for free and give feedback.

Will there be a non-subscription option for accessing JuxtaText+ features?

Yes. JuxtaCode will continue to offer all of JuxtaText’s features (including the paid tier) and can be unlocked with a one-time purchase. It adds extra code-related features, but these can be ignored by those who just want access to JuxtaText+ features.

What if I donated while JuxtaText was completely free?

Firstly, thank you very much. Your early support for the development of JuxtaText means more than you can know.

Secondly, if you have previously donated, please get in touch with what information you have about the donation, whatever the amount, so I can offer you a free license for JuxtaCode (which includes all of the JuxtaText+ features). I regret that this can’t be a simple automated process :/