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Keyboard Maestro alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

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.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Hammerspoon logoHammerspoonOpen sourceYesmacOS4 of 462.6
2Hazel logoHazelPaidNomacOS4 of 455.3
3BetterTouchTool logoBetterTouchToolPaidNomacOS5 of 554.5
4Alfred logoAlfredFree plan + paidNomacOS4 of 450.3
5Raycast logoRaycastFree plan + paidNomacOS, Windows, iOS5 of 548.9
  1. Hammerspoon logo

    1. HammerspoonTop pick

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

    Open sourcemacOS

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Keyboard Maestro

    Free, code-based automation for people happy to 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 Keyboard Maestro 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)
  2. Hazel logo

    2. Hazel

    Best for: Mac users who want downloads, scans and documents filed automatically

    PaidmacOS

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Keyboard Maestro

    Rule-based file automation, if your macros were mostly about filing documents.

    Pros

    • Runs quietly and files documents by rule
    • Pattern matching can rename files from their contents
    • App Sweep and Trash management
    • One-time purchase with a family pack

    Cons

    • Mac only
    • Building reliable rules takes some testing
    • Major versions are paid upgrades
    Visit Hazel Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    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 Hazel a good Keyboard Maestro alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    $42 (Hazel 6)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026noodlesoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Family pack
    $65 for up to 5 household members
    Checked Oct 25, 2026noodlesoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Upgrade price
    $20
    Checked Oct 25, 2026noodlesoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    App Sweep
    Removes leftover app support files
    Checked Oct 25, 2026noodlesoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. BetterTouchTool logo

    3. BetterTouchTool

    Best for: Mac power users who want to remap gestures, mice and keys and automate with them

    PaidmacOS

    54.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Keyboard Maestro

    Combines automation with gestures and window snapping for a lower price.

    Pros

    • Huge range of triggers and actions
    • Window snapping, clipboard and launcher included
    • Low one-off price with a lifetime option
    • Long free trial

    Cons

    • Dense, complicated settings
    • Mac only
    • Standard licence only covers two years of updates
    Visit BetterTouchTool Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.360
    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 BetterTouchTool a good Keyboard Maestro alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Standard licence
    $15, 2 years of updates
    Checked Oct 25, 2026folivora.ai(opens source in a new tab)
    Lifetime licence
    $25
    Checked Oct 25, 2026folivora.ai(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    45 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026folivora.ai(opens source in a new tab)
    Built-in actions
    600+
    Checked Oct 25, 2026folivora.ai(opens source in a new tab)
    Setapp
    Included
    Checked Oct 25, 2026folivora.ai(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Alfred logo

    4. 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 Keyboard Maestro

    Powerpack workflows handle many hotkey-and-keyword automations.

    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 Keyboard Maestro 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)
  5. Raycast logo

    5. Raycast

    Best for: Mac or Windows users who want one launcher for apps, clipboard, snippets and windows

    Free plan + paidmacOS, Windows, iOS

    48.9

    score / 100

    Why switch from Keyboard Maestro

    Script commands and extensions for quick automations from a launcher.

    Pros

    • Free tier includes clipboard history, snippets and window management
    • Large extension store for popular work tools
    • Extensions are easy to write in TypeScript and React
    • Fast, polished interface with good defaults

    Cons

    • AI features and sync are locked behind a subscription
    • Requires an account for sync and team features
    • Windows version is newer and has fewer extensions
    Visit Raycast Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.341
    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 Raycast a good Keyboard Maestro alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, for personal and work use
    Checked Oct 25, 2026raycast.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro price
    From $8/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026raycast.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Teams Pro price
    $12 per user/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026raycast.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    macOS, Windows, iOS and iPadOS
    Checked Oct 25, 2026raycast.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Student discount
    50% off Pro
    Checked Oct 25, 2026raycast.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Keyboard Maestro alternative for…

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

Hammerspoon logo

Best Keyboard Maestro alternative for most people

Hammerspoon

Free, code-based automation for people happy to write Lua.

Hammerspoon logo

Best Keyboard Maestro alternative for a free option

Hammerspoon

Free, code-based automation for people happy to write Lua.

Alfred logo

Best Keyboard Maestro alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Alfred

Powerpack workflows handle many hotkey-and-keyword automations.

Hammerspoon logo

Best Keyboard Maestro alternative for open source

Hammerspoon

Free, code-based automation for people happy to write Lua.

Hazel logo

Best Keyboard Maestro alternative for Mac

Hazel

Rule-based file automation, if your macros were mostly about filing documents.

Raycast logo

Best Keyboard Maestro alternative for Windows

Raycast

Script 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.