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Hazel alternatives: 3 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Hazel: mac only, and building reliable rules takes some testing. We ranked 3 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Hazel, 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

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1KeKeyboard MaestroPaidNomacOS4 of 466.5
2Hammerspoon logoHammerspoonOpen sourceYesmacOS4 of 462.6
3Alfred logoAlfredFree plan + paidNomacOS4 of 450.3
  1. Ke

    1. Keyboard MaestroTop pick

    Best for: Mac users who want to automate repetitive work across many apps without coding

    PaidmacOS

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Hazel

    Can also react to folder changes, plus automate apps and text.

    Pros

    • Hundreds of actions and many trigger types
    • No subscription; one-time purchase
    • Active community forum with shared macros

    Cons

    • Interface feels dated and dense
    • Major upgrades cost extra
    • Accessibility permission issues can need manual fixing after macOS updates
    Visit Keyboard Maestro Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Keyboard Maestro a good Hazel alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    US$36 one-time
    Checked Oct 25, 2026keyboardmaestro.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Upgrade price
    US$25
    Checked Oct 25, 2026keyboardmaestro.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Actions
    Hundreds built in
    Checked Oct 25, 2026keyboardmaestro.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Current version
    11
    Checked Oct 25, 2026keyboardmaestro.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Hammerspoon logo

    2. Hammerspoon

    Best for: Developers who want to script their own Mac utilities instead of buying several

    Open sourcemacOS

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Hazel

    Free, scriptable folder watchers for people who write Lua.

    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 ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Hammerspoon a good Hazel 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 25, 2026hammerspoon.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Default behaviour
    Does nothing until configured
    Checked Oct 25, 2026hammerspoon.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Plugins
    Spoons
    Checked Oct 25, 2026hammerspoon.org(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Alfred logo

    3. Alfred

    Best for: Mac users who want a powerful, local launcher with workflows and no subscription

    Free plan + paidmacOS

    50.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Hazel

    Manual but fast keyboard file actions if you prefer to file things yourself.

    Pros

    • One-off Powerpack licence instead of a subscription
    • Visual workflow editor with thousands of community workflows
    • Fast, stable and keeps everything on your Mac

    Cons

    • Clipboard history and workflows need the paid Powerpack
    • Mac only
    • Major versions are paid upgrades unless you buy the lifetime licence
    Visit Alfred Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.346
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Alfred a good Hazel alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Powerpack price
    £34 (single licence)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026alfredapp.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Lifetime licence
    £59 with free lifetime upgrades
    Checked Oct 25, 2026alfredapp.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Clipboard history
    Powerpack feature
    Checked Oct 25, 2026alfredapp.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Developer
    Running with Crayons Ltd
    Checked Oct 25, 2026alfredapp.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Hazel alternative for…

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

Ke

Best Hazel alternative for most people

Keyboard Maestro

Can also react to folder changes, plus automate apps and text.

Hammerspoon logo

Best Hazel alternative for a free option

Hammerspoon

Free, scriptable folder watchers for people who write Lua.

Alfred logo

Best Hazel alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Alfred

Manual but fast keyboard file actions if you prefer to file things yourself.

Hammerspoon logo

Best Hazel alternative for open source

Hammerspoon

Free, scriptable folder watchers for people who write Lua.

Ke

Best Hazel alternative for Mac

Keyboard Maestro

Can also react to folder changes, plus automate apps and text.

Hazel alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Hazel?

Keyboard Maestro ranks first right now. Can also react to folder changes, plus automate apps and text. Hammerspoon and Alfred follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Hazel?

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

Is there an open-source alternative to Hazel?

Yes: Hammerspoon.

Why do people switch from Hazel?

The complaints we hear most: mac only; building reliable rules takes some testing; major versions are paid upgrades.

How is this list ranked?

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