Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Keyboard Maestro VS AutoHotkey

Compare Keyboard Maestro VS AutoHotkey and see what are their differences

Keyboard Maestro logo Keyboard Maestro

Keyboard Maestro is the leading software for macOS automation. It will increase business productivity by using macros(or short cuts) with simple keystrokes. Keyboard Maestro WikiThis wiki aims to help new users get started, and then provide .

AutoHotkey logo AutoHotkey

The ultimate automation scripting language for Windows.
  • Keyboard Maestro Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-12-22
  • AutoHotkey Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-13

We recommend LibHunt AutoHotkey for discovery and comparisons of trending AutoHotkey projects.

Keyboard Maestro features and specs

  • Versatile Automation
    Keyboard Maestro allows users to automate a wide range of tasks on macOS, from simple text expansion to complex workflows involving multiple applications.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The app provides a visually intuitive interface that makes it easier for users to create and manage their macros without needing extensive programming skills.
  • Robust Feature Set
    It includes a powerful set of features like clipboard history, named clipboards, customizable palettes, and more, which extend beyond typical automation tools.
  • Active Support and Community
    Keyboard Maestro has an active user community and responsive support team, providing users with resources for troubleshooting and advanced usage tips.
  • Regular Updates
    The developers regularly update the application, adding new features and ensuring compatibility with the latest versions of macOS.

Possible disadvantages of Keyboard Maestro

  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, Keyboard Maestro can still have a steep learning curve for new users unfamiliar with automation concepts.
  • Mac-Only
    Keyboard Maestro is only available for macOS, so users who work across multiple platforms cannot use it on Windows or Linux systems.
  • Price
    While the powerful features justify its cost for many users, Keyboard Maestro is a paid application, which may be a deterrent for some potential users who are looking for free alternatives.
  • Resource Intensive
    Some users report that Keyboard Maestro can be resource-intensive, potentially affecting system performance, especially if running complex or numerous macros.
  • Occasional Bugs
    As with any software, users might encounter occasional bugs or issues, although the support team usually addresses them promptly.

AutoHotkey features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    AutoHotkey scripts are relatively easy to write, making it accessible for beginners. The syntax is straightforward and the community offers extensive documentation and scripts for reference.
  • Scripting Flexibility
    AutoHotkey allows users to perform a wide range of tasks, from simple key remappings and text expansion to more complex automation like GUI automation and web scraping.
  • Active Community
    An active and supportive community exists around AutoHotkey. This means you can find community-created libraries, examples, and forums that offer help and troubleshooting.
  • Integrations
    AutoHotkey can integrate with other programs and APIs, allowing for the extension of its capabilities beyond basic scripting.
  • Performance
    Scripts written in AutoHotkey are often very lightweight and run efficiently, making it suitable for tasks requiring quick execution and minimal lag.
  • Cost
    AutoHotkey is free to use, which makes it an attractive option for individuals and businesses looking to implement automation without a financial investment.

Possible disadvantages of AutoHotkey

  • Security Risks
    AutoHotkey scripts can be potentially harmful if used maliciously. Unsigned scripts could be seen as a security risk by antiviruses and system administrators.
  • Limited Cross-Platform Support
    AutoHotkey primarily supports Windows, and there is limited support for other operating systems like MacOS and Linux, which can be a disadvantage for cross-platform environments.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic features are easy to learn, more advanced functionalities such as using COM objects, creating complex GUIs, or interacting with APIs can have a steep learning curve.
  • Readability of Code
    As scripts become complex, the readability of AutoHotkey code may decrease, especially for those unfamiliar with the syntax. This can make maintaining large scripts challenging.
  • Lack of Formal Support
    There is no official customer support for AutoHotkey. Users must rely on community-based support, which can vary in response time and quality.
  • Debugging Tools
    AutoHotkey’s debugging tools are not as robust as those in full-fledged development environments, making it harder to troubleshoot and debug complex scripts.

Analysis of Keyboard Maestro

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Keyboard Maestro is generally regarded as a good tool for those who need robust automation solutions on macOS. It is well-supported and regularly updated to ensure compatibility with the latest operating systems and applications.

Why this product is good

  • Keyboard Maestro is considered a powerful macro program for macOS that allows users to automate repetitive tasks and customize their workflows. It is favored for its extensive functionality, ease of use once set up, and integration capabilities with other applications. Users often highlight its ability to save time and improve productivity, especially for complex automation needs.

Recommended for

  • Users who frequently perform repetitive tasks and want to streamline their workflow.
  • Power users and professionals who work with multiple applications and need extensive automation solutions.
  • Individuals who enjoy customizing their workspace and improving efficiency through personalized hotkeys and macros.

Analysis of AutoHotkey

Overall verdict

  • Yes, AutoHotkey is considered a good tool for many users.

Why this product is good

  • AutoHotkey is highly appreciated for its simplicity and flexibility in automating repetitive tasks on Windows. It's a powerful scripting language that enables users to create custom keyboard shortcuts, automate software processes, and remap keys, among other functionalities. Its ease of use and active community support make it accessible for both beginners and experienced users.

Recommended for

  • People who frequently perform repetitive tasks on their computers.
  • Users who want to increase productivity by automating workflows.
  • Individuals looking to create custom keyboard shortcuts and remap keys.
  • Programmers and IT professionals seeking to automate software testing and deployment.
  • Anyone who wants to customize their Windows environment.

Keyboard Maestro videos

Keyboard Maestro Review

More videos:

  • Review - Keyboard Maestro Review | Automation Software Worth for $36?
  • Review - 5 Types of Macros I Use in Keyboard Maestro

AutoHotkey videos

Autohotkey Quick Overview

More videos:

  • Review - AutoHotkey Review - Open2Free.com

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Keyboard Maestro and AutoHotkey)
Automation
23 23%
77% 77
Mac
100 100%
0% 0
Windows Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Scripts
21 21%
79% 79

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Keyboard Maestro and AutoHotkey

Keyboard Maestro Reviews

What's a good alternative to Textexpander for Mac?
2Keyboard MaestroView ProductJayDeveloper · Written 2yr agoI use this before I subscribe TextExpander🙏 helpful 0CommentsShareCarlo Zottmann 🇪🇺🙏 helpful 0Comments (1)a year agoPatrick LoonstraDesigner at patrickloonstra.nl🙏 helpful 0Comments (0)a year ago

AutoHotkey Reviews

Microsoft Power Automate
AutoHotkey is one of the most popular Windows alternatives that can effectively replace Microsoft Power Automate. It is a popular open source and free choice that exists to the users. As a script-generating tool, it allows its users to effortlessly build small and easy-to-complex scripts for any task. Some of the special features that AutoHotkey offers are listed below:
Top 15 Best TinyTask Alternatives in 2022
This is another tinytask alternative. With C++ programming, AutoHotkey is a versatile and open-source platform for bespoke scripting languages intended for Microsoft Windows. The software offers quick macro building as well as simple hotkeys and shortcuts for you. Windows apps that allow repetitive operations to be automated are being made more efficient via AutoHotkey. You...
15 Best AutoHotkey Alternatives 2022
While AutoHotkey is a decent tool, there are dozens of other similar and even better tools that include different features that can be a lot more versatile and easier to use. So some of the reasons why you might need an AutoHotkey alternative include lack of features, better versatility, easier use, lighter tool, or missing features.
9 Best AutoHotkey Alternative Apps
So there are a few efficient alternative apps for AutoHotkey. In this post, you will see the nine best alternatives to AutoHotkey.
Autohotkey Alternatives and Similar Free Software
You will get much similar software and alternative to AutoHotkey, and all of them have the same features, even better ones than the original. If you are not satisfied with AutoHotkey, you can always go for the alternatives, have a look!

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, AutoHotkey seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 38 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.

Keyboard Maestro mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Keyboard Maestro yet. Tracking of Keyboard Maestro recommendations started around Mar 2021.

AutoHotkey mentions (38)

  • I made an alternative to convar helper so you can easily activate your favorite cheats and other vconsole commands, and it's versatile enough to use for other purposes too!
    All you have to do (other than have autohotkey installed) is. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Multiple dictionaries or alternatives.
    But, if you just install AutoHotKey, you can run these two scripts to select a first and a second dictionary: Select Dictionaries Zipfile. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Add prompt to text?
    You could try (and I have no affiliation with) http://autohotkey.com - then allocate the key to something like ctrl-F13 (often unused - but reachable via sending system keystroke). Source: about 2 years ago
  • Ctrl CapsLock Menu: The Best CapsLock Menu Script (Completely nonbiased statement)
    Autohotkey.com Go to the ahk website, click download, then choose 'Download v1.1 (deprecated)'. Source: about 2 years ago
  • autoclicker help
    So I found this autoclicker code on autohotkey.com but whenever I start the script it clicks. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Keyboard Maestro and AutoHotkey, you can also consider the following products

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

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

Microsoft Power Automate - Microsoft Power Automate is an automation platform that integrates DPA, RPA, and process mining. It lets you automate your organization at scale using low-code and AI.

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

Sikuli - Sikuli Script

Hammerspoon - This is a tool for powerful automation of OS X.