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Hammerspoon VS PyMacroRecord

Compare Hammerspoon VS PyMacroRecord and see what are their differences

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Hammerspoon logo Hammerspoon

This is a tool for powerful automation of OS X.

PyMacroRecord logo PyMacroRecord

Free and Open Source Macro Recorder with a modern GUI.
  • Hammerspoon Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-25
  • PyMacroRecord Landing page
    Landing page //
    2025-06-29

Hammerspoon features and specs

  • Highly Customizable
    Hammerspoon allows users to write Lua scripts to automate virtually any task on macOS, providing a high degree of customization to meet individual needs.
  • Extensive API
    With a rich set of APIs, Hammerspoon supports interaction with numerous macOS features and third-party applications, increasing its versatility.
  • Lightweight
    Hammerspoon is relatively lightweight compared to other automation tools, minimizing the impact on system resources.
  • Active Community
    The Hammerspoon community is active and provides a wealth of shared scripts and modules, as well as support for new users.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source, Hammerspoon allows users to inspect, modify, and contribute to its codebase, fostering a collaborative development environment.

Possible disadvantages of Hammerspoon

  • Steep Learning Curve
    The necessity to write Lua scripts can be a barrier for users who are not familiar with programming, making the tool less accessible to non-developers.
  • Limited Documentation
    While there is documentation available, some users find it insufficient for more complex tasks, which may require additional research and experimentation.
  • Minimal Graphical Interface
    Hammerspoon lacks a user-friendly graphical interface, which can make setup and configuration less intuitive for some users.
  • Potential Stability Issues
    Depending on the complexity and efficiency of the user-created scripts, Hammerspoon could potentially cause system instability or performance issues.
  • MacOS Only
    Hammerspoon is exclusive to macOS, which limits its usability to users within the Apple ecosystem.

PyMacroRecord features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    PyMacroRecord offers an intuitive user interface that allows users to easily create and manage macros without needing extensive programming knowledge.
  • Automation Capabilities
    The tool enables users to automate repetitive tasks effectively, saving time and reducing human error in routine processes.
  • Platform Compatibility
    PyMacroRecord is designed to work seamlessly across different platforms, ensuring flexibility and broader applicability for various user needs.
  • Community Support
    There is a supportive community around PyMacroRecord, providing users with resources, forums, and shared scripts to enhance their automation projects.
  • Cost-Effective
    PyMacroRecord is often more cost-effective compared to other automation tools, providing users with robust features without requiring significant financial investment.

Possible disadvantages of PyMacroRecord

  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While basic tasks are straightforward, more advanced features might require time to learn and utilize effectively.
  • Limited Integration
    PyMacroRecord might not integrate as seamlessly with all third-party applications or systems, potentially limiting its utility for certain tasks.
  • Performance Limitations
    For extremely complex or resource-intensive tasks, PyMacroRecord might not perform as efficiently as specialized automation tools.
  • Lack of Customization Options
    Users looking for deep customization of UI or specific functions might find PyMacroRecord somewhat lacking compared to other, more flexible tools.
  • Potential Stability Issues
    As with any software, users might encounter stability issues or bugs, particularly with newly released updates or major changes.

Analysis of Hammerspoon

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Hammerspoon is considered a good tool for those who are comfortable with scripting and want to leverage its capabilities for custom automation on macOS. It is well-regarded within the community for its robust features and active development.

Why this product is good

  • Hammerspoon is a powerful automation tool for macOS that allows users to script and control their environment with a combination of Lua scripting and Objective-C APIs. Its flexibility and extensibility make it a desirable option for power users who want to automate repetitive tasks, customize their workflow, or create complex scripts to enhance productivity. Users appreciate its ability to integrate with macOS and utilize system events, window management, and hardware control, which provides a high degree of customizability that is not easily achievable through other tools.

Recommended for

    Hammerspoon is recommended for tech-savvy users, developers, and anyone who is familiar with scripting and is looking to automate their macOS environment. It is particularly useful for individuals who enjoy tinkering with their setup and want to have fine-grained control over their system's behavior.

Hammerspoon videos

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HammerSpoon Worflow Automation

PyMacroRecord videos

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Hammerspoon and PyMacroRecord)

Hammerspoon

PyMacroRecord

Automation
90 90%
Automation
10% 10
Windows Tools
82 82%
Windows Tools
18% 18
Tool
100 100%
Tool
0% 0
Robotics Process Automation
0 0%
Robotics Process Automation
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Hammerspoon seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 4 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Hammerspoon mentions (4)

  • i3 Linux -> macOS
    Then, I can only suggest http://hammerspoon.org/ and then you can start implementing window movement using it https://www.hammerspoon.org/go/#winmoveintro. Source: over 2 years ago
  • 49 inch Ultra Wide Monitor going from PC to Mac mini
    MacOS doesn't do this natively, but you have options: - If you just want to move windows around with some degree of keyboard customization, go for Rectangle. - If you want more control, such as sizing a bunch of windows at the same time, use Slate. - If you can code and want really high degrees of customization, you won't go wrong with Hammerspoon. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Handy utility applications for macOS
    Both of those can be replaced by the open-source Hammerspoon (actually a significant number of the things in this thread can, including BTT). Source: over 3 years ago
  • Keyboard Maestro alternatives?
    Depending on what you want from KM, Hammerspoon may be a good alternative. You can also look up on AlternativeTo for other options. Source: almost 4 years ago

PyMacroRecord mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of PyMacroRecord yet. Tracking of PyMacroRecord recommendations started around Jun 2025.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Hammerspoon and PyMacroRecord, you can also consider the following products

Pulover’s Macro Creator - Pulover’s Macro Creator is a Free Automation Tool and Script Generator.

Apple Automator - Let your Mac do repetitive tasks for you.

AutoHotkey - The ultimate automation scripting language for Windows.

AutoKey - A Python 3 port of AutoKey, the desktop automation utility for Linux and X11.

AHK_X11 - AHK_X11 is a Linux reimplementation of Windows AutoHotkey (AHK) CLASSIC (version 1.0.24 from 2004), with many of Windows AutoHotkey's features but more limited to legacy syntax and a subset of commands.

AutoIt - Other Articles You May Like AutoIt Script Editor AutoIt Downloads AutoIt Scripting Language

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