Bunch alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 29, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Bunch: mac only, and stable version has not been updated in a while; recent work is in betas. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Bunch, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Keyboard Maestro currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	Hammerspoon	Open source	Yes	macOS	4 of 4	64.8

1. HammerspoonTop pick
Best for: Developers who want to script their own Mac utilities instead of buying several
Open sourcemacOS
64.8
score / 100
Why switch from Bunch
Free, scriptable in Lua, and can build the same context switches plus window layouts.
Pros
Can replace many small utilities with code
Broad APIs across windows, input, network and devices
Spoons provide ready-made modules
Free and open source
Cons
Requires writing Lua
No graphical editor for automations
Debugging configs can be fiddly
Visit Hammerspoon Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.387
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Hammerspoon a good Bunch alternative?
Verified facts
4 of 4 verified
License
MIT
Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
Scripting language
Lua
Checked Oct 29, 2026hammerspoon.org(opens source in a new tab)
Default behaviour
Does nothing until configured
Checked Oct 29, 2026hammerspoon.org(opens source in a new tab)
Plugins
Spoons
Checked Oct 29, 2026hammerspoon.org(opens source in a new tab)

The best Bunch alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Best Bunch alternative for most people

Keyboard Maestro

Far more capable macro engine with a visual editor for any trigger and action.

Best Bunch alternative for a free option

Hammerspoon

Free, scriptable in Lua, and can build the same context switches plus window layouts.

Best Bunch alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Alfred

Workflows can open groups of apps and files from a keyboard launcher.

Best Bunch alternative for open source

Hammerspoon

Free, scriptable in Lua, and can build the same context switches plus window layouts.

Best Bunch alternative for Mac

Raycast

Free launcher with scripts and extensions for opening sets of apps and links.

Best Bunch alternative for Windows

Raycast

Free launcher with scripts and extensions for opening sets of apps and links.

Bunch alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Bunch?

Keyboard Maestro ranks first right now. Far more capable macro engine with a visual editor for any trigger and action. Alfred and Hammerspoon follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Bunch?

Yes. Alfred (free plan + paid), Hammerspoon (open source) and Raycast (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Bunch?

Yes: Hammerspoon.

Why do people switch from Bunch?

The complaints we hear most: mac only; stable version has not been updated in a while; recent work is in betas; no visual editor; you learn its text syntax.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Bunch, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.