# AutoHotkey

> Free, open-source scripting language for Windows automation

AutoHotkey is a free, open-source scripting language for automating the Windows desktop. Scripts define hotkeys for the keyboard and mouse, remap keys, expand abbreviations as you type, send keystrokes and launch programs. It is licensed under the GNU GPLv2 and overseen by the AutoHotkey Foundation, a volunteer-run organization set up to keep the software free of charge.

- **Category:** Desktop Utilities
- **Made by:** AutoHotkey Foundation LLC (since 2003)
- **Website:** https://www.autohotkey.com
- **Runs on:** Windows
- **Facts last checked:** Oct 5, 2026

## Pricing

AutoHotkey is free to use.

- **Pricing model:** Free
- **Free plan:** The whole program is free and open source under the GNU GPLv2. The AutoHotkey Foundation says it was created to prevent monetization of the software.
- **Free trial:** None listed.

| Plan | Price | What you get |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AutoHotkey | $0 | The full scripting language as an installer or ZIP download, with English documentation included. Donations are optional. |

Read from https://www.autohotkey.com on Oct 5, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with AutoHotkey before buying.

## Key features

- **Hotkeys:** Bind keys, key combinations and mouse buttons to scripted actions. Hotkeys can be made window-specific so they work only in certain applications.
- **Hotstrings:** Abbreviations that expand into longer text as you type, which also serve as autocorrect-style replacements.
- **Key and button remapping:** Remap keyboard keys or mouse buttons to other keys, alongside the hotkeys defined in the same script.
- **Sending input and running programs:** Scripts can send keystrokes to simulate typing, run programs and open websites, which covers jobs such as form filling, auto-clicking and macros.
- **Compile scripts to EXE:** Ahk2Exe turns a script into a standalone executable that contains the interpreter, so it runs on a PC without AutoHotkey installed.
- **A full scripting language:** Built-in commands suit beginners, while experienced developers get a language that supports procedural, object-oriented and command-based styles and can build GUIs.

## Good for

- Windows users who want custom hotkeys and key remaps at no cost
- People comfortable writing or adapting short scripts
- Text expansion and repetitive data entry on Windows

## Worth knowing

- Windows only: the vendor describes it as a scripting language for Windows and lists no other platform.
- Everything is defined in plain-text script files, so using it means learning AutoHotkey's scripting syntax.
- Games with cheat-prevention measures such as GameGuard or Hackshield are likely to block AutoHotkey.
- Antivirus programs sometimes raise false-positive alerts, more often for compiled and compressed scripts.

**Tags:** Keyboard and mouse remapping, Open source, Workflow automation, Text expansion, Keyboard-first

## Alternatives

- [Microsoft PowerToys](https://toolgpa.com/tools/microsoft-powertoys): Free Microsoft utilities for customizing Windows 10 and 11. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/autohotkey-vs-microsoft-powertoys)
- [Espanso](https://toolgpa.com/tools/espanso): Open-source text expander for Windows, macOS and Linux. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/autohotkey-vs-espanso)
- [PhraseExpress](https://toolgpa.com/tools/phraseexpress): Text expander and template manager with on-premise sharing. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/autohotkey-vs-phraseexpress)
- [Hammerspoon](https://toolgpa.com/tools/hammerspoon): Free, open-source macOS automation scripted in Lua. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/autohotkey-vs-hammerspoon)
- [Keyboard Maestro](https://toolgpa.com/tools/keyboard-maestro): Macro automation for macOS with triggers and actions. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/autohotkey-vs-keyboard-maestro)

## Sources

The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 5, 2026:

- https://www.autohotkey.com
- https://www.autohotkey.com/download/
- https://www.autohotkey.com/foundation/
- https://www.autohotkey.com/foundation/history.html
- https://www.autohotkey.com/docs/v2/
- https://www.autohotkey.com/docs/v2/Tutorial.htm
- https://www.autohotkey.com/docs/v2/Scripts.htm
- https://www.autohotkey.com/docs/v2/FAQ.htm
- https://www.autohotkey.com/docs/v2/howto/Install.htm

Page: https://toolgpa.com/tools/autohotkey
Listed by ToolGPA (toolgpa.com).