Alternatives · Utilities
Keyboard Maestro alternatives
Keyboard Maestro compared with 10 alternatives: BetterTouchTool, Hammerspoon, Karabiner-Elements, Raycast, Alfred and 5 more.
Keyboard Maestro is a paid product with a free trial, starting at US$36 one-time purchase for version 11, plus applicable tax. 7 of the 10 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keyboard MaestroThis tool | Free trial · from $36 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| BetterTouchTool | Free trial · from $15 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| Hammerspoon | Free | Free | macOS |
| Karabiner-Elements | Free | Free | macOS |
| Raycast | Free plan · from $96/yr | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Browser extension |
| Alfred | Free plan · from £34 one-time | Yes | macOS |
| AutoHotkey | Free | Free | Windows |
| Dropzone | Free plan · from $4.99/mo | Yes | macOS |
| Hazel | Free trial · from $42 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| PopClip | Free trial · from $12 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| Macro Recorder | Free plan · from $99.95 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows |
How each one differs from Keyboard Maestro
- 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). Keyboard Maestro starts at US$36 one-time purchase for version 11, plus applicable tax.
- BetterTouchTool also covers launcher and keyboard and mouse remapping.
- Keyboard Maestro also covers text expansion.
Suits: Mac users who want custom trackpad, mouse and keyboard gestures in one app
- Free
Hammerspoon
Free, open-source macOS automation scripted in Lua
- Hammerspoon is free. Keyboard Maestro starts at US$36 one-time purchase for version 11, plus applicable tax.
- Hammerspoon has a free plan. Keyboard Maestro does not, though it has a free trial.
- Hammerspoon is open source, according to its own site.
- Keyboard Maestro can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Keyboard Maestro also covers clipboard manager and text expansion.
Suits: Mac users comfortable writing Lua who want to script their own automation
- Free
Karabiner-Elements
Free, open-source keyboard customizer for macOS
- Karabiner-Elements is free. Keyboard Maestro starts at US$36 one-time purchase for version 11, plus applicable tax.
- Karabiner-Elements has a free plan. Keyboard Maestro does not, though it has a free trial.
- Karabiner-Elements is open source, according to its own site.
- Keyboard Maestro can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Karabiner-Elements also covers menu bar app and keyboard and mouse remapping.
Suits: Mac users who want to remap keys or modifiers at no cost
- Free plan · from $96/yr
Raycast
Keyboard launcher with extensions, clipboard history and AI
- Raycast starts at $96 / year, billed annually. Keyboard Maestro starts at US$36 one-time purchase for version 11, plus applicable tax.
- Raycast has a free plan. Keyboard Maestro does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Raycast lists Windows and iOS apps.
- Only Raycast lists a browser extension.
- Keyboard Maestro can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Mac and Windows users who prefer the keyboard to the mouse
- Free plan · from £34 one-time
Alfred
Mac launcher with hotkeys, snippets and custom workflows
- Alfred starts at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License). Keyboard Maestro starts at US$36 one-time purchase for version 11, plus applicable tax.
- Alfred has a free plan. Keyboard Maestro does not, though it has a free trial.
- Alfred also covers launcher.
- Keyboard Maestro also covers window management.
Suits: Mac users who want a keyboard launcher without a subscription
- Free
AutoHotkey
Free, open-source scripting language for Windows automation
- AutoHotkey is free. Keyboard Maestro starts at US$36 one-time purchase for version 11, plus applicable tax.
- AutoHotkey has a free plan. Keyboard Maestro does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only AutoHotkey lists a Windows app.
- Only Keyboard Maestro lists a macOS app.
- AutoHotkey is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: Windows users who want custom hotkeys and key remaps at no cost
- Free plan · from $4.99/mo
Dropzone
Drag-and-drop action grid and file shelf for the Mac menu bar
- Dropzone starts at $4.99 / month or $19.99 / year (Mac App Store), or $35 one-time direct. Keyboard Maestro starts at US$36 one-time purchase for version 11, plus applicable tax.
- Dropzone has a free plan. Keyboard Maestro does not, though it has a free trial.
- Dropzone also covers file sharing, menu bar app and file management.
- Keyboard Maestro also covers workflow automation, clipboard manager, window management and text expansion.
Suits: Mac users who move, copy and upload files by drag and drop all day
- 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). Keyboard Maestro starts at US$36 one-time purchase for version 11, plus applicable tax.
- Hazel also covers disk cleanup and file management.
- Keyboard Maestro also covers clipboard manager, window management and text expansion.
Suits: Mac users whose Downloads and Desktop folders fill up with unsorted files
- Free trial · from $12 one-time
PopClip
Pop-up bar of text actions when you select text on a Mac
- PopClip starts at $12 one-time purchase (Standard License, 2 years of updates). Keyboard Maestro starts at US$36 one-time purchase for version 11, plus applicable tax.
- PopClip also covers menu bar app.
- Keyboard Maestro also covers workflow automation, clipboard manager, window management and text expansion.
Suits: Mac users who select text with the mouse and want actions right at the pointer
- Free plan · from $99.95 one-time
Macro Recorder
Records mouse and keyboard actions for replay on Windows and Mac
- Macro Recorder starts at $99.95 one-time for the Standard edition, with 12 months of updates. Keyboard Maestro starts at US$36 one-time purchase for version 11, plus applicable tax.
- Macro Recorder has a free plan. Keyboard Maestro does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Macro Recorder lists a Windows app.
- Macro Recorder also covers no-code.
- Keyboard Maestro also covers clipboard manager, window management and text expansion.
Suits: Repeating the same clicks and keystrokes in desktop software or a browser
Limits worth knowing in Keyboard Maestro
- macOS only; version 11 requires macOS 10.13 High Sierra or later.
- The license covers version 11.x. Later major versions are paid upgrades, which the vendor says it releases roughly every 12 to 36 months.
- There is no free plan: the programs are free to download and try, but continued use requires a license.
- Licensed per user for up to five Macs; customers with ten or more users are asked to contact the vendor for a volume quote.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Keyboard Maestro?
The alternatives to Keyboard Maestro in this directory are BetterTouchTool, Hammerspoon, Karabiner-Elements, Raycast, Alfred, AutoHotkey, Dropzone, Hazel, PopClip and Macro Recorder. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Keyboard Maestro.
Is there a free alternative to Keyboard Maestro?
Yes. Hammerspoon, Karabiner-Elements and AutoHotkey are free to use. Raycast, Alfred, Dropzone and Macro Recorder have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Keyboard Maestro alternatives work on Windows?
The Keyboard Maestro listing does not include a Windows app. Raycast, AutoHotkey and Macro Recorder list one.
Which Keyboard Maestro alternatives work on iOS?
The Keyboard Maestro listing does not include an iOS app. Raycast lists one.
Is there an open-source alternative to Keyboard Maestro?
Hammerspoon, Karabiner-Elements and AutoHotkey are described as open source on their own sites.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
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