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Hazel

A Mac utility that watches folders and automatically files, renames, tags and cleans up files by rule.

PaidDesktop automation tools
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About Hazel

Hazel, from Noodlesoft, automates file housekeeping on the Mac. You point it at folders such as Downloads or Desktop and write rules based on name, date, type, source website, contents and other attributes; when a file matches, Hazel can move, rename, tag, archive, open, upload or sort it into dated subfolders. Pattern matching lets it pull dates or invoice numbers out of file names or contents to build tidy names. It can also manage the Trash by deleting old files or capping its size, and its App Sweep feature offers to remove leftover support files when you delete an app. It integrates with Spotlight, Photos and Music imports, notifications, tags, Shortcuts, AppleScript and Automator for more complex steps. Hazel is a one-time purchase per major version, with a family pack for households, discounted upgrades and a free trial. It runs only on macOS. Rules can take some trial and error, and it works on files only, not apps or windows.

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

Pros and cons

What works

  • 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

Why people leave

  • Mac only
  • Building reliable rules takes some testing
  • Major versions are paid upgrades

Top Hazel alternatives

See all 3
  1. 1Ke
    Keyboard Maestro

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

    66.5
  2. 2Hammerspoon logo
    Hammerspoon

    Free, scriptable folder watchers for people who write Lua.

    62.6
  3. 3Alfred logo
    Alfred

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

    50.3

Why people left Hazel

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

No switching stories yet. If you moved away from Hazel, review the app you switched to and tell us why.

Reviews

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Hazel: common questions

Is Hazel free?

No, Hazel is a paid product. Price: $42 (Hazel 6) (checked on Hazel's own site).

Is Hazel open source?

No, Hazel is not open source. Open-source alternatives include Hammerspoon.

What platforms does Hazel run on?

Hazel is available for macOS.

What are the best alternatives to Hazel?

The highest-ranked Hazel alternatives right now are Keyboard Maestro, Hammerspoon and Alfred. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 3 Hazel alternatives