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Karabiner-Elements alternatives · Utilities

Alternatives to Karabiner-Elements with a one-time purchase

The Karabiner-Elements listing shows no one-time purchase. 44 of the 93 other desktop utilities in this directory can be bought with a one-time purchase.

Karabiner-Elements is free to use. 16 of them are free or have a free plan.

44 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

The 12 closest to Karabiner-Elements

  1. BetterTouchTool

    Mac input customization: gestures, shortcuts and automation

    • BetterTouchTool starts at $15 one-time purchase (Standard License, 2 years of updates). Karabiner-Elements is free.
    • Karabiner-Elements has a free plan. BetterTouchTool does not, though it has a free trial.
    • BetterTouchTool can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Karabiner-Elements is open source, according to its own site.
    BetterTouchTool vs Karabiner-ElementsBetterTouchTool pricing and details

  2. 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. Karabiner-Elements is free.
    • Karabiner-Elements has a free plan. Keyboard Maestro does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Keyboard Maestro can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Karabiner-Elements is open source, according to its own site.
    Keyboard Maestro vs Karabiner-ElementsKeyboard Maestro pricing and details

  3. Mac Mouse Fix

    Trackpad-style gestures and smooth scrolling for third-party mice

    • Mac Mouse Fix starts at $2.99 one-time purchase, plus local taxes. Karabiner-Elements is free.
    • Karabiner-Elements has a free plan. Mac Mouse Fix does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Mac Mouse Fix can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Karabiner-Elements also covers menu bar app.
    Mac Mouse Fix vs Karabiner-ElementsMac Mouse Fix pricing and details

  4. Homerow

    Keyboard labels for clicking any button or link on macOS

    • Homerow starts at $49.99 one-time purchase. Karabiner-Elements is free.
    • Karabiner-Elements has a free plan. Homerow does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Homerow can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Karabiner-Elements is open source, according to its own site.
    Homerow vs Karabiner-ElementsHomerow pricing and details

  5. Bartender

    Menu bar manager for macOS that hides and organizes items

    • Bartender starts at $19.99 / year (Bartender Pro) or $24.99 one-time (Bartender 7). Karabiner-Elements is free.
    • Karabiner-Elements has a free plan. Bartender does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Bartender can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Karabiner-Elements is open source, according to its own site.
    Bartender pricing and details

  6. AltTab

    Windows-style window switcher for macOS, free and open source

    • AltTab starts at $9.99 one-time purchase (AltTab Pro). Karabiner-Elements is free.
    • AltTab can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • AltTab also covers window management.
    • Karabiner-Elements also covers menu bar app and keyboard and mouse remapping.
    AltTab pricing and details

  7. CopyClip

    Text-only clipboard manager for the Mac menu bar

    • CopyClip starts at $7.99 one-time purchase (CopyClip 2, US Mac App Store). Karabiner-Elements is free.
    • CopyClip can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Karabiner-Elements is open source, according to its own site.
    • CopyClip also covers clipboard manager.
    CopyClip pricing and details

  8. Alfred

    Mac launcher with hotkeys, snippets and custom workflows

    • Alfred starts at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License). Karabiner-Elements is free.
    • Alfred can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Karabiner-Elements is open source, according to its own site.
    • Alfred also covers workflow automation, launcher, clipboard manager and text expansion.
    Alfred pricing and details

  9. CleanMyMac

    Mac cleanup, malware removal and maintenance in one app

    • CleanMyMac starts at $39.99 / year on the US Mac App Store (MacPaw's site: from $3.33 / month). Karabiner-Elements is free.
    • Karabiner-Elements has a free plan. CleanMyMac does not, though it has a free trial.
    • CleanMyMac can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Karabiner-Elements is open source, according to its own site.
    CleanMyMac pricing and details

  10. Magnet

    Window snapping for Mac by drag, shortcut or menu bar

    • Magnet starts at $4.99 one-time purchase (US Mac App Store). Karabiner-Elements is free.
    • Karabiner-Elements has a free plan. Magnet does not.
    • Magnet can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Karabiner-Elements is open source, according to its own site.
    Magnet pricing and details

  11. iStat Menus

    System monitor that lives in the Mac menu bar

    • iStat Menus starts at $11.99 one-time purchase (Single License), plus local taxes. Karabiner-Elements is free.
    • Karabiner-Elements has a free plan. iStat Menus does not, though it has a free trial.
    • iStat Menus can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Karabiner-Elements is open source, according to its own site.
    iStat Menus pricing and details

  12. LaunchBar

    Keyboard launcher for Mac with clipboard history and actions

    • LaunchBar starts at 35 € one-time purchase (Single License). Karabiner-Elements is free.
    • LaunchBar can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Karabiner-Elements is open source, according to its own site.
    • LaunchBar also covers launcher, clipboard manager, file management and calculator.
    LaunchBar pricing and details

32 more that can be bought with a one-time purchase

All 44 in one table

Common questions

Is there an alternative to Karabiner-Elements that you buy once?

Yes. BetterTouchTool, Keyboard Maestro, Mac Mouse Fix, Homerow, Bartender, AltTab, CopyClip, Alfred and 36 more can be bought with a one-time purchase.

Can you buy Karabiner-Elements once instead of subscribing?

The Karabiner-Elements listing shows no one-time purchase. The listing was checked on Oct 5, 2026 against the pages it cites.

Which of these desktop utilities are free?

AltTab, CopyClip, Alfred, LaunchBar, BetterDisplay, AlDente, Dropzone, Listary and 8 more are free or have a free plan.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Karabiner-Elements: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.