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.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Keyboard Maestro

Keyboard Maestro

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.

Categories:
macro automation keyboard hotkeys workflows

Keyboard Maestro Features

  1. Macro recording and playback
  2. Macro triggers like hotkeys, keywords, time/date
  3. Macro groups for organization
  4. Macro editing with variables, conditions, loops
  5. Integrates with other apps via AppleScript, shell scripts
  6. Supports multi-action macros
  7. Macro scheduler
  8. Clipboard history manager

Pricing

  • One-time Purchase
  • Subscription-Based

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

Hammerspoon

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.

Categories:
lua macos automation scripting

Hammerspoon Features

  1. Automation tool for macOS
  2. Allows controlling macOS using Lua scripts
  3. Can manipulate native macOS windows and APIs
  4. Bridges macOS with Lua programming
  5. Open source and free

Pricing

  • Open Source
  • Free

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