Hammerspoon vs Keyboard Maestro

Struggling to choose between Hammerspoon and Keyboard Maestro? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Hammerspoon is a Development solution with tags like lua, macos, automation, scripting.

It boasts features such as Automation tool for macOS, Allows controlling macOS using Lua scripts, Can manipulate native macOS windows and APIs, Bridges macOS with Lua programming, Open source and free and pros including Powerful automation capabilities, Highly customizable using Lua scripts, Integrates deeply into macOS, Active community support, Free and open source.

On the other hand, Keyboard Maestro is a Office & Productivity product tagged with macro, automation, keyboard, hotkeys, workflows.

Its standout features include Macro recording and playback, Macro triggers like hotkeys, keywords, time/date, Macro groups for organization, Macro editing with variables, conditions, loops, Integrates with other apps via AppleScript, shell scripts, Supports multi-action macros, Macro scheduler, Clipboard history manager, and it shines with pros like Very powerful and versatile macro capabilities, Wide range of trigger options, Macro editor makes complex workflows easy, Great for automating repetitive tasks, Integrates deeply into macOS.

Feature	Hammerspoon	Keyboard Maestro
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Development	Office & Productivity

Product Overview

Hammerspoon

Description: Hammerspoon is an open-source automation tool for macOS that allows you to control and automate your workflow using Lua scripting. It can integrate with and manipulate native macOS windows and APIs.

Keyboard Maestro

Description: Keyboard Maestro is a macro program for macOS that automates tasks, workflows, and scripts through hotkeys, macros, launchers, and more. It speeds up and simplifies repetive work by giving you more control with powerful macros.

Key Features Comparison

Hammerspoon Features

• Automation tool for macOS
• Allows controlling macOS using Lua scripts
• Can manipulate native macOS windows and APIs
• Bridges macOS with Lua programming
• Open source and free

Keyboard Maestro Features

• Macro recording and playback
• Macro triggers like hotkeys, keywords, time/date
• Macro groups for organization
• Macro editing with variables, conditions, loops
• Integrates with other apps via AppleScript, shell scripts
• Supports multi-action macros
• Macro scheduler
• Clipboard history manager

Pros & Cons Analysis

Hammerspoon

Pros

• Powerful automation capabilities
• Highly customizable using Lua scripts
• Integrates deeply into macOS
• Active community support
• Free and open source

Cons

• Steep learning curve for Lua scripting
• Manual configuration required for automation tasks
• Limited documentation and support
• Not intuitive for non-programmers
• MacOS only

Keyboard Maestro

Pros

• Very powerful and versatile macro capabilities
• Wide range of trigger options
• Macro editor makes complex workflows easy
• Great for automating repetitive tasks
• Integrates deeply into macOS

Cons

• Fairly steep learning curve
• Can be overkill for basic automation needs
• Pricier than some alternative apps

Pricing Comparison

Hammerspoon

• Open Source
• Free

Keyboard Maestro

• One-time Purchase
• Subscription-Based