Automator icon

Automator

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.

What is Automator?

Automator is an automation tool developed by Apple exclusively for macOS. It provides a visual, flowchart-style interface for users to automate repetitive tasks and workflows without needing to write complex scripts.

With Automator, users can create workflows by connecting together a series of actions. There are pre-built actions for tasks like file management, data processing, app integration, and more. Actions can also call shell scripts, AppleScripts, or other external programs if needed. Variables and logic statements can be added to customize workflows.

Once created, Automator workflows can be saved as self-running apps. They can also be set to run on demand or based on triggering events like files being added to a folder. Automator is targeted at ordinary users to help automate mundane tasks, though power users can leverage it to create more advanced functionality.

Key features and benefits of Automator include:

  • Intuitive visual interface requires no coding/scripting skills
  • Huge library of pre-built actions for common tasks
  • Seamless integration with macOS and Apple apps
  • Ability to create self-contained apps from workflows
  • Supports variables, logic statements, scripts in workflows
  • completely free to use (included in macOS)

The Best Automator Alternatives

Top Apps like Automator

TinyTask, AutoHotkey, MacroDroid, AutoIt, Keyboard Maestro, ReMouse, Karabiner Elements, Keyran, HID Macros, Hazel, Sikuli, xdotool, UI.Vision RPA, Automation Anywhere, Auto Clicker Typer, WinParrot, Clickermann, Action(s), Multi Task Tool, GhostMouse, SpeedAutoClicker, Pulover’s Macro Creator, pywinauto, WinAutomation, Quick Macros, FastKeys, Perfect Macro Recorder, Mini Mouse Macro, Pretouch semi-auto, Perfect Automation, Automation Workshop, cliclick, E-Robot, vijazedan ghost mouse, AutoCleanFolder, Macro Scheduler, vTask Studio, Hammerspoon, WinMacro, Anacron, WeeScript Automation, keystarter, Efficient Macro Recorder, atbswp, MouseRobot, Clicador, Lord of User Interface, AUMS, AlomWare Actions, T-Plan, Javauto, Physcape are some alternatives to Automator.

TinyTask

TinyTask is a free and open source automation software designed for Windows. It allows users to easily record, edit, organize, schedule and playback mouse movements, clicks and keyboard actions, allowing you to automate repetitive tasks on your computer.Some of the key features of TinyTask include:Intuitive graphical user interface...

AutoHotkey

AutoHotkey is a free, open-source scripting language for Windows that allows users to automate repetitive tasks, customize keyboard shortcuts, integrate other applications, and more. Originally released in 2003 by Chris Mallett, AutoHotkey has become a popular automation tool for programmers, software testers, writers, gamers, artists, and power users.Some key features...

MacroDroid

MacroDroid is an powerful automation app for Android that allows users to automate various tasks and workflows on their Android device without needing to have coding knowledge. It has an easy-to-use interface that allows you to create macros using a simple drag-and-drop workflow builder.With MacroDroid, you can automate repetitive...

AutoIt

AutoIt v3 is a freeware BASIC-like scripting language designed for automating the Windows GUI and general scripting. It uses a combination of simulated keystrokes, mouse movement and window/control manipulation in order to automate tasks in a way not possible or reliable with other languages.AutoIt was initially designed for...

Keyboard Maestro

Keyboard Maestro is a powerful and popular automation app for macOS that allows you to automate repetitive tasks, build workflows, set up hotkeys and keyboard shortcuts, create application launchers, and more. It gives you more control over your Mac by letting you set up triggers like hotkeys, application launches, timers...

ReMouse

ReMouse is a free, open-source mouse and keyboard sharing software for Windows. It enables a host computer to share its mouse and keyboard control with other computers connected over a local network or the internet.Some key features of ReMouse:Allows real-time, bidirectional control of the host computer's mouse and...

Karabiner Elements

Karabiner Elements is a powerful and flexible keyboard customization utility for macOS. It allows you to customize and remap your keyboard keys, modify key behaviors, create complex macros and shortcuts, and more.Some of the key features of Karabiner Elements include:Key remapping - Remap any key to any other...

Keyran

Keyran is an open-source, cross-platform password manager and generator that emphasizes privacy and security. It allows users to securely store passwords, credit card information, bookmarks, and other sensitive information encrypted on their device using strong encryption like AES-256 and RSA-2048.Some key features of Keyran include:Secure password generation -...

HID Macros

HID Macros is a lightweight software utility that gives you the ability to create custom macro buttons and shortcuts on HID (human interface device) peripherals such as keyboards, mice, gamepads, and more. With HID Macros, you can configure your extra mouse buttons, specialized gaming keys, keyboard media keys, and other...

Hazel

Hazel is an automated organization application designed specifically for macOS. It runs in the background and uses a set of user-defined rules to automatically organize files and folders based on almost any attribute, including:File typeDate created or modifiedCustom metadataFilename or folder name keywordsFor example, you can set up a...

Sikuli

Sikuli is an open source test automation tool that can automate anything you see on the screen. It uses image recognition to identify and control graphical user interface (GUI) components. This allows you to automate GUI testing without needing access to an application's source code.Here are some key capabilities...

Xdotool

xdotool is a command line utility for Linux that allows you to simulate keyboard and mouse input and perform other actions to automate interactions with the graphical user interface (GUI). Some key features of xdotool include:Clicking or double-clicking the mouse at specified screen coordinatesSending simulated keystrokes, including modifier keys...

UI.Vision RPA

UI.Vision RPA is a robust robotic process automation (RPA) software used to automate repetitive, manual tasks and processes across an organization. It simulates user actions to interact with applications, websites, enterprise systems, and software robots to perform a wide range of automated tasks.Key features include:User interface automation...

Automation Anywhere

Automation Anywhere is a leading robotic process automation (RPA) software designed to automate repetitive, rule-based processes across multiple enterprise systems and applications. It allows organizations to build software bots that imitate human actions and interact with PC or web applications to perform a variety of business tasks.Key features include...

Auto Clicker Typer

Auto Clicker Typer is an automation software designed to simulate mouse clicks and keyboard typing. It allows users to automate repetitive computer tasks by recording and replaying sequences of mouse movements, clicks, and keystrokes.The main features of Auto Clicker Typer include:Recording macros of mouse and keyboard actionsEditing and...

WinParrot

WinParrot is an open-source virtualization platform for Windows that allows users to run other operating systems virtually inside Windows. It works similarly to Parallels Desktop on MacOS.Some key features of WinParrot include:Ability to install and run Linux distributions like Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian etc. alongside WindowsRun older versions of...

Clickermann

Clickermann is a free and easy-to-use automation tool for Windows that allows anyone to automate repetitive and tedious tasks on their computer, without needing coding knowledge.With its simple click and drag interface, you can easily set up automation scripts (called macros) to do things like fill out online forms...

Action(s)

Action(s) is a versatile task and project management software designed to help individuals and teams stay organized, collaborate effectively, and boost productivity. Here are some of the key features of Action(s):Flexible task management with customizable lists, tags for organization, task dependencies, reminders, and a calendar view for...

Multi Task Tool

Multi Task Tool is a free and open-source software application designed to help users better organize and manage multiple programs and windows on their computer. It works by allowing you to group different running applications into separate virtual desktops, essentially providing more screen real estate to work with.Some of...

GhostMouse

GhostMouse is a Windows application that enables users to automate mouse movements, clicks, and typing. It works by recording the physical mouse movements, mouse clicks, and keyboard inputs as the user performs them. The recorded actions can then be played back later to automate repetitive tasks.Some key features of...

SpeedAutoClicker

SpeedAutoClicker is a free and open-source auto clicker software for Windows. It provides users with the ability to automate mouse clicks and simulate repeated clicks or keystrokes.Some of the main features of SpeedAutoClicker include:Setting custom click intervals ranging from 1 millisecond to 1 hourOptions to create customized mouse click patterns...

Pulover’s Macro Creator

Pulover's Macro Creator is a free and open-source automation tool for Windows that allows users to automate repetitive or tedious tasks by recording and replaying sequences of mouse and keyboard actions, known as macros. It provides an intuitive graphical user interface for macro recording, editing, playback, and management.Some of...

Pywinauto

Pywinauto is an open source Python library for automating and testing GUI applications on Windows. It provides a robust set of methods to access, identify, and interact with application windows, controls, and menus. Some key features of pywinauto include:Locating windows and controls by title, text content, Control ID, and...

WinAutomation

WinAutomation is a leading Windows automation and robotic process automation (RPA) software designed to automate repetitive and manual tasks without programming. It allows users to automate processes across applications, websites, enterprise systems, and more through an intuitive graphical interface.Key features include:Record and replay tasks to create automated workflows...

Quick Macros

Quick Macros is a versatile keyboard macro automation tool designed specifically for Mac. It lets users automate repetitive tasks and workflows by recording mouse clicks, keyboard input, shortcuts, menu actions, and more into fully customizable macros.Some key features of Quick Macros include:Intuitive macro recorder with variable playback speed...

FastKeys

FastKeys is a lightweight yet powerful keyboard shortcut utility for Windows. It allows users to create custom keyboard shortcuts to automate repetitive tasks, launch applications or documents, insert frequently used text snippets, open websites, and more.With FastKeys, you can set global shortcuts that work across all applications as well...

Perfect Macro Recorder

Perfect Macro Recorder is a simple yet powerful macro creation and automation tool for Windows. It allows users to record repetitive tasks such as filling out forms, completing administrative work, or automating workflows as macros that can be played back with one click.The software has an intuitive and easy-to-use...

Mini Mouse Macro

Mini Mouse Macro is a free, open-source macro creation and automation software for Windows. It allows users to automate repetitive tasks such as clicking, mouse movements, keystrokes, etc. with an easy-to-use macro recorder.Some key features of Mini Mouse Macro include:Intuitive macro recorder to record and replay mouse and...

Pretouch semi-auto

Pretouch semi-auto is a powerful yet easy-to-use photo editing application designed specifically for batch processing large volumes of images. It excels at automating repetitive editing tasks to save photographers an incredible amount of time.With its intuitive interface and innovative AI technology, Pretouch semi-auto can instantly analyze images and apply...

Perfect Automation

Perfect Automation is a leading robotic process automation (RPA) software solution that helps organizations automate repetitive, manual processes and tasks. The software utilizes AI-powered bots that function just like human workers by interacting with applications, systems, and websites to complete rote activities.Key benefits of Perfect Automation include:Increased efficiency...

Automation Workshop

Automation Workshop is a robotic process automation (RPA) software used to automate repetitive and mundane tasks on a computer. It provides a visual, low-code interface that allows non-technical users to build automation workflows without needing to know how to code.With Automation Workshop, users can record and playback tasks like...

Cliclick

cliclick is an open-source computer mouse and keyboard automation utility for Linux and UNIX-like operating systems. It allows simulating mouse clicks, mouse movement and keyboard input to automate interactions with graphical user interfaces.Some key features of cliclick include:Simulating left, right and middle mouse button clicks at arbitrary screen...

E-Robot

E-Robot is an open-source robotic process automation (RPA) software designed to automate repetitive and routine tasks normally performed by human workers. It works by creating software robots that mimic human actions and interactions within digital systems and software applications.Key features of E-Robot include:Visual process modeling - Build automation...

Vijazedan ghost mouse

Vijazedan Ghost Mouse is a free and open source automation software for Windows. It provides users the ability to record and replay mouse movements, clicks, and keyboard inputs, allowing the automation of repetitive or tedious tasks.Some of the key features of Vijazedan Ghost Mouse include:Intuitive user interface for...

AutoCleanFolder

AutoCleanFolder is a handy Windows utility that allows you to easily setup automatic cleaning of files from selected folders on your computer. It supports deleting files based on age or file size.This small program allows you to specify folders on your drives and set size and age limits for...

Macro Scheduler

Macro Scheduler is a Windows-based job scheduling software that allows you to automate tasks, processes, and workflows on your computer. With Macro Scheduler, you can schedule virtually any action, script, program, or macro to run automatically at specified times and intervals.Some key features of Macro Scheduler include:Intuitive visual...

VTask Studio

vTask Studio is a comprehensive virtualization management and automation platform designed specifically for VMware vSphere environments. It provides a wide range of capabilities to help manage, automate and optimize VMware infrastructure and workloads.Key features and benefits of vTask Studio include:Automated VM provisioning - Create and deploy new VMs...

Hammerspoon

Hammerspoon is an open-source automation tool for macOS that allows you to control and automate your workflow using Lua scripting. It bridges the gap between user input and system output by providing hooks to interact with native macOS windows and APIs in a programmatic way.Some key features of Hammerspoon...

WinMacro

WinMacro is a Windows automation and macro recording software application. It provides capabilities to record, edit, and replay macros in order to automate repetitive tasks and processes.Key features of WinMacro include:Recording mouse movements, clicks, keyboard input and taking screen capturesEditing macros with a built-in text editorScheduling macros to...

Anacron

Anacron is a computer program that performs periodic command scheduling, even in the event of a system reboot. It is typically used to execute jobs that require running on a regular basis, but may not run if the system is powered off at the scheduled time.Anacron works by checking...

WeeScript Automation

WeeScript Automation is a powerful yet easy-to-use visual scripting and automation platform. It allows anyone to automate repetitive tasks and processes without needing to know how to code.With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you can quickly build automation workflows to connect various apps, services, and devices. Whether you want to...

Keystarter

KeyStarter is an online crowdfunding platform focused on helping entrepreneurs and inventors launch new software and hardware projects. It allows creators to set up campaign pages to promote their ideas, get feedback and input from potential users, and raise funds to turn concepts into reality.Creators post profiles of their...

Efficient Macro Recorder

Efficient Macro Recorder is a user-friendly Windows automation software designed to help users automate repetitive tasks on their computer. With its intuitive hotkey-driven macro recorder, users can easily record sequences of mouse clicks and keystrokes into macros and play them back with a single shortcut.Unlike most macro recorders, Efficient...

Atbswp

ATBSWP or 'Automate the Boring Stuff with Python' is a popular book for learning practical Python programming skills. Written by Al Sweigart, it focuses on having the reader automate tasks on their own computer to improve productivity.The book teaches basic Python syntax and programming concepts like variables, functions, conditionals...

MouseRobot

MouseRobot is a user-friendly automation software designed to record and imitate mouse movements, clicks and keyboard inputs. With an easy-to-use interface, it allows you to automate repetitive and tedious tasks on your computer.Some key features of MouseRobot include:Recording mouse actions - Simply hit the record button and perform...

Clicador

Clicador is a free and open-source software designed to detect and prevent click fraud for website owners and advertisers. It analyzes website traffic data to identify invalid or fraudulent clicks coming from bots, competitors, click farms, or other sources of artificial traffic.Once installed, Clicador runs in the background of...

Lord of User Interface

Lord of User Interface is a leading user interface design and prototyping tool used by UI/UX designers, product managers, and development teams. It provides an intuitive drag-and-drop interface for rapidly building out user interface screens and flows for web and mobile applications.Key features include:Drag-and-drop widgets and components...

AUMS

AUMS (Audio Universal Mastering Software) is a free, open-source digital audio workstation and audio recording software for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. It offers professional-grade tools for audio editing, sound mixing, multitrack recording, MIDI sequencing, and music production.Some key features of AUMS include:Intuitive and customizable interface with...

AlomWare Actions

AlomWare Actions is a Windows automation software used to automate repetitive tasks and workflows on your computer. It provides an easy-to-use graphical interface for creating triggers, actions, and sequences to mimic mouse/keyboard input, launch programs, open files/URLs, send emails, and more.Some key features include:Graphical workflow design...

T-Plan

T-Plan is a project planning and management software application designed for businesses and teams to plan and schedule projects of all sizes. It provides a suite of tools to map out project tasks, timelines, resource allocation, costs and more in an easy-to-use interface.Key features of T-Plan include:Interactive Gantt...

Javauto

Javauto is an open-source test automation framework designed specifically for testing Java applications. It allows you to automate UI, API, and component tests using a simple, flexible API.Some key features of Javauto include:Supports cross-browser testing of web applications built with Java frameworks like Spring MVC, JSF, Vaadin, etc...

Physcape

Physcape is a powerful yet easy-to-use 3D modeling and animation software designed specifically for creating realistic 3D plant models. With an intuitive user interface and specialized toolset focused on plants, Physcape allows you to quickly generate complex plant shapes complete with leaves, branches, flowers and fruit.Key features of Physcape...