Keyboard Maestro vs Hammerspoon

Struggling to choose between Keyboard Maestro and Hammerspoon? 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, Hammerspoon is a Development product tagged with lua, macos, automation, scripting.

Its standout features include 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 it shines with pros like Powerful automation capabilities, Highly customizable using Lua scripts, Integrates deeply into macOS, Active community support, Free and open source.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

Pricing Comparison

Keyboard Maestro

• One-time Purchase
• Subscription-Based

Hammerspoon

• Open Source
• Free