Keyboard Maestro alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data
Common reasons people leave Keyboard Maestro: interface feels dated and dense, and major upgrades cost extra. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Keyboard Maestro, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Hammerspoon currently ranks first.
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Show all 5 alternativesThe best Keyboard Maestro alternative for…
The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.
Best Keyboard Maestro alternative for most people
HammerspoonFree, code-based automation for people happy to write Lua.
Best Keyboard Maestro alternative for a free option
HammerspoonFree, code-based automation for people happy to write Lua.
Best Keyboard Maestro alternative for a free plan you can upgrade
AlfredPowerpack workflows handle many hotkey-and-keyword automations.
Best Keyboard Maestro alternative for open source
HammerspoonFree, code-based automation for people happy to write Lua.
Best Keyboard Maestro alternative for Mac
HazelRule-based file automation, if your macros were mostly about filing documents.
Best Keyboard Maestro alternative for Windows
RaycastScript commands and extensions for quick automations from a launcher.
Keyboard Maestro alternatives: common questions
What is the best alternative to Keyboard Maestro?
Hammerspoon ranks first right now. Free, code-based automation for people happy to write Lua. Hazel and BetterTouchTool follow it in our ranking.
Is there a free alternative to Keyboard Maestro?
Yes. Hammerspoon (open source), Alfred (free plan + paid) 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 Keyboard Maestro?
Yes: Hammerspoon.
Why do people switch from Keyboard Maestro?
The complaints we hear most: interface feels dated and dense; major upgrades cost extra; accessibility permission issues can need manual fixing after macOS updates.
How is this list ranked?
Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Keyboard Maestro, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.