Alternatives · Utilities
Hammerspoon alternatives
Hammerspoon compared with 10 alternatives: Keyboard Maestro, BetterTouchTool, Karabiner-Elements, AutoHotkey, Apple Shortcuts and 5 more.
Hammerspoon is free to use. 6 of the 10 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 4 more offer a free trial.
10 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| HammerspoonThis tool | Free | Free | macOS |
| Keyboard Maestro | Free trial · from $36 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| BetterTouchTool | Free trial · from $15 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| Karabiner-Elements | Free | Free | macOS |
| AutoHotkey | Free | Free | Windows |
| Apple Shortcuts | Free | Free | macOS, iOS |
| AeroSpace | Free | Free | macOS |
| Hazel | Free trial · from $42 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| KeepingYouAwake | Free | Free | macOS |
| SwiftBar | Free | Free | macOS |
| Velja | Free trial · from $10 one-time | Trial only | macOS, Browser extension |
How each one differs from Hammerspoon
- Free trial · from $36 one-time
Keyboard Maestro
Macro automation for macOS with triggers and actions
- Keyboard Maestro starts at US$36 one-time purchase for version 11, plus applicable tax. Hammerspoon is free.
- Hammerspoon has a free plan. Keyboard Maestro does not, though it has a free trial.
- Keyboard Maestro can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Hammerspoon is open source, according to its own site.
- Keyboard Maestro also covers clipboard manager and text expansion.
Suits: Mac users who repeat the same multi-step tasks and want to automate them
- Free trial · from $15 one-time
BetterTouchTool
Mac input customization: gestures, shortcuts and automation
- BetterTouchTool starts at $15 one-time purchase (Standard License, 2 years of updates). Hammerspoon is free.
- Hammerspoon has a free plan. BetterTouchTool does not, though it has a free trial.
- BetterTouchTool can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Hammerspoon is open source, according to its own site.
- BetterTouchTool also covers launcher, clipboard manager and keyboard and mouse remapping.
Suits: Mac users who want custom trackpad, mouse and keyboard gestures in one app
- Free
Karabiner-Elements
Free, open-source keyboard customizer for macOS
- Karabiner-Elements is free. Hammerspoon is free.
- Karabiner-Elements also covers menu bar app and keyboard and mouse remapping.
- Hammerspoon also covers workflow automation and window management.
Suits: Mac users who want to remap keys or modifiers at no cost
- Free
AutoHotkey
Free, open-source scripting language for Windows automation
- AutoHotkey is free. Hammerspoon is free.
- Only AutoHotkey lists a Windows app.
- Only Hammerspoon lists a macOS app.
- AutoHotkey also covers text expansion and keyboard and mouse remapping.
- Hammerspoon also covers window management.
Suits: Windows users who want custom hotkeys and key remaps at no cost
- Free
Apple Shortcuts
Free automation app for iPhone, iPad and Mac, built by Apple
- Apple Shortcuts is free. Hammerspoon is free.
- Only Apple Shortcuts lists an iOS app.
- Hammerspoon is open source, according to its own site.
- Apple Shortcuts also covers templates and no-code.
- Hammerspoon also covers window management.
Suits: iPhone, iPad and Mac owners automating tasks across Apple's apps
- Free
AeroSpace
Free, open-source i3-like tiling window manager for macOS
- AeroSpace is free. Hammerspoon is free.
- Hammerspoon also covers workflow automation.
Suits: Developers and advanced users who want i3-style tiling on a Mac
- Free trial · from $42 one-time
Hazel
Rule-based automatic file organization for the Mac
- Hazel starts at $42 one-time purchase (single-user license). Hammerspoon is free.
- Hammerspoon has a free plan. Hazel does not, though it has a free trial.
- Hazel can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Hammerspoon is open source, according to its own site.
- Hazel also covers disk cleanup and file management.
Suits: Mac users whose Downloads and Desktop folders fill up with unsorted files
- Free
KeepingYouAwake
Menu bar utility that stops a Mac from going to sleep
- KeepingYouAwake is free. Hammerspoon is free.
- KeepingYouAwake also covers menu bar app.
- Hammerspoon also covers workflow automation and window management.
Suits: Mac users who need the computer to stay awake for a set time
- Free
SwiftBar
Open-source tool that puts script output in the Mac menu bar
- SwiftBar is free. Hammerspoon is free.
- SwiftBar also covers menu bar app.
- Hammerspoon also covers workflow automation and window management.
Suits: Mac users comfortable writing shell, Python or other scripts
- Free trial · from $10 one-time
Velja
Mac browser picker that routes links to a browser, profile or app
- Velja starts at $10 one-time purchase. Hammerspoon is free.
- Hammerspoon has a free plan. Velja does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Velja lists a browser extension.
- Velja can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Hammerspoon is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: Mac users who keep separate browsers or profiles for work and personal use
Limits worth knowing in Hammerspoon
- macOS only. Release 1.1.1 lists a minimum of macOS 13.0; older Macs need an earlier release.
- Out of the box it does nothing: every behavior has to be written in Lua in ~/.hammerspoon/init.lua or added as a Spoon.
- It depends on the macOS Accessibility permission, which the user has to grant by hand in the system's privacy settings.
- Crash information is collected by default; the FAQ says this can be turned off in the preferences.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Hammerspoon?
The alternatives to Hammerspoon in this directory are Keyboard Maestro, BetterTouchTool, Karabiner-Elements, AutoHotkey, Apple Shortcuts, AeroSpace, Hazel, KeepingYouAwake, SwiftBar and Velja. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Hammerspoon.
Is there a free alternative to Hammerspoon?
Yes. Karabiner-Elements, AutoHotkey, Apple Shortcuts, AeroSpace, KeepingYouAwake and SwiftBar are free to use.
Which Hammerspoon alternatives work on Windows?
The Hammerspoon listing does not include a Windows app. AutoHotkey lists one.
Which Hammerspoon alternatives work on iOS?
The Hammerspoon listing does not include an iOS app. Apple Shortcuts lists one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
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