Keyboard Maestro vs Automator

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

Keyboard Maestro is a Office & Productivity solution with tags like macro, automation, keyboard, hotkeys, workflows.

It boasts features such as 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 pros including 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.

On the other hand, Automator is a Os & Utilities product tagged with workflow, automation, apple, macos.

Its standout features include Graphical workflow builder, Built-in actions for file management, data processing, app integration, Ability to record and convert user actions into automatable workflows, Supports variables, conditional logic, loops, Can be triggered manually or on events like file changes, Integrates with other Apple apps like Finder, Photos, Calendar, and it shines with pros like Simple visual interface, Powerful automation capabilities, No coding required, Free built-in macOS tool, Easy to get started.

Feature	Keyboard Maestro	Automator
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Office & Productivity	Os & Utilities

Product Overview

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.

Automator

Description: Automator is an automation tool developed by Apple that allows users to create automated workflows and tasks on macOS. It provides a visual interface to construct workflows by connecting actions together that perform tasks like file manipulation, data processing, and interacting with various apps.

Key Features Comparison

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

Automator Features

• Graphical workflow builder
• Built-in actions for file management, data processing, app integration
• Ability to record and convert user actions into automatable workflows
• Supports variables, conditional logic, loops
• Can be triggered manually or on events like file changes
• Integrates with other Apple apps like Finder, Photos, Calendar

Pros & Cons Analysis

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

Automator

Pros

• Simple visual interface
• Powerful automation capabilities
• No coding required
• Free built-in macOS tool
• Easy to get started

Cons

• Limited to macOS
• Relies on AppleScript for some advanced features
• Workflows not sharable/reusable easily
• Limited debugging capabilities
• Steep learning curve for advanced workflows

Pricing Comparison

Keyboard Maestro

• One-time Purchase
• Subscription-Based

Automator

• Free