# Hazel

> Rule-based automatic file organization for the Mac

Hazel is a Mac utility from Noodlesoft that watches the folders you choose and files their contents according to rules you write. Rules match items by name, date, type, contents and other attributes, then move, rename, tag, archive or upload them, or hand them to a script. It also manages the Trash and offers to remove an app's leftover support files. Hazel is sold as a one-time license per major version.

- **Category:** Desktop Utilities
- **Made by:** Noodlesoft, LLC (since 2006)
- **Website:** https://www.noodlesoft.com
- **Runs on:** macOS
- **Facts last checked:** Oct 6, 2026

## Pricing

Hazel is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $42 one-time purchase (single-user license).

- **Pricing model:** Free trial
- **Free plan:** None.
- **Free trial:** 14-day Evaluation mode with every feature except rule export, then Demo mode: 1 folder and 2 active rules.

| Plan | Price | What you get |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hazel 6 | $42 one-time purchase, single-user license | Includes free upgrades within version 6. The license keeps unlocking the version you bought after a new major version ships. |
| Hazel 6 Family Pack | $65 one-time purchase, up to 5 household members | One license for up to 5 members of your household. For private households only. |

Read from https://store.noodlesoft.com/store on Oct 6, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Hazel before buying.

## Ways to pay less

- **$20 upgrade from any previous version** (Other savings): Owners of any earlier Hazel version can upgrade to Hazel 6 for $20. The price is the same for single-user and family pack licenses. Source: https://www.noodlesoft.com/kb/hazel-6-faq/
- **Volume pricing on request** (Other savings): The store page asks buyers interested in volume pricing or with other special pricing needs to contact Noodlesoft. Source: https://store.noodlesoft.com/store

## Key features

- **Folder rules:** Hazel monitors the folders you pick and applies rules, much like those in Apple Mail, that match items by name, size, date, type, source website and other attributes.
- **File actions:** A matching item can be moved, copied, renamed, sorted into subfolders, tagged, commented, archived or synced, with patterns that build names and tags from its attributes.
- **Reading file contents:** Hazel 6 uses on-the-fly text recognition to read text in PDFs without OCR and in image files, and reads encrypted PDFs when you supply a password.
- **Trash management and App Sweep:** Deletes items from the Trash by age or when it grows too large. App Sweep notices a discarded application and offers to remove its support files as well.
- **Scripts, Shortcuts and uploads:** Rules can run Shortcuts, AppleScript or JavaScript, Automator workflows and shell scripts, and can upload files to FTP, SFTP or WebDAV servers.
- **Revert and rule sync:** Revert returns a file to its original place and name, with its tags and comments. A folder's rules can sync through a shared file to other Macs or user accounts.

## Good for

- Mac users whose Downloads and Desktop folders fill up with unsorted files
- Filing scanned bills and statements by the text inside them
- People who want file automation bought once instead of by subscription

## Worth knowing

- macOS only; Hazel 6 requires macOS 13.0 (Ventura) or later.
- After the 14-day evaluation, an unlicensed copy drops to Demo mode: one monitored folder, two active rules and no import or export.
- A license covers one major version. Moving from any earlier version to Hazel 6 is a $20 paid upgrade.
- Rule sync works per folder and cannot merge rule sets: a second Mac's existing rules for that folder are overwritten.

## Works with

Apple Shortcuts, AppleScript, Automator, Photos, Music, Spotlight

**Tags:** File management, Workflow automation, Disk cleanup, One-time purchase

## Alternatives

- [Keyboard Maestro](https://toolgpa.com/tools/keyboard-maestro): Macro automation for macOS with triggers and actions. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/hazel-vs-keyboard-maestro)
- [Hammerspoon](https://toolgpa.com/tools/hammerspoon): Free, open-source macOS automation scripted in Lua. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/hammerspoon-vs-hazel)
- [Apple Shortcuts](https://toolgpa.com/tools/apple-shortcuts): Free automation app for iPhone, iPad and Mac, built by Apple. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/apple-shortcuts-vs-hazel)
- [AppCleaner](https://toolgpa.com/tools/appcleaner): Small Mac utility that uninstalls apps and their leftover files. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/appcleaner-vs-hazel)

## Sources

The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 6, 2026:

- https://www.noodlesoft.com/
- https://store.noodlesoft.com/store
- https://www.noodlesoft.com/kb/hazel-6-faq/
- https://www.noodlesoft.com/whats-new-in-hazel-6/
- https://www.noodlesoft.com/manual/hazel/hazel-overview/
- https://www.noodlesoft.com/manual/hazel/installation-setup/understand-evaluation-and-demo-modes/
- https://www.noodlesoft.com/manual/hazel/attributes-actions/action-reference/
- https://www.noodlesoft.com/manual/hazel/attributes-actions/action-reference/specifying-upload-options/
- https://www.noodlesoft.com/manual/hazel/work-with-folders-rules/manage-rules/sync-rules/
- https://www.noodlesoft.com/about

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