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Sikuli VS Macro Express

Compare Sikuli VS Macro Express and see what are their differences

Sikuli logo Sikuli

Sikuli Script

Macro Express logo Macro Express

Macro Express® is the premier Windows automation macro utility.
  • Sikuli Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-29
  • Macro Express Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-12

Sikuli features and specs

  • Visual Automation
    Sikuli allows users to automate tasks by using screenshots of graphical user interfaces. This makes it highly intuitive and accessible, particularly for users who may not be adept at traditional coding.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Sikuli is designed to be compatible with multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it versatile for various development environments.
  • Simple Scripting
    The scripting interface is based on Python, which is known for its readability and simplicity. This encourages quick learning and easy implementation of automated tasks.
  • Integration with Other Tools
    Sikuli can easily integrate with other automation and testing tools, enhancing its utility in more complex workflows and making it a robust choice for comprehensive automation needs.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source tool, Sikuli is free to use, and it benefits from community contributions, which can lead to continuous improvements and a supportive user base.

Possible disadvantages of Sikuli

  • Fragility
    Automations based on screen content are inherently fragile. Any change in the user interface, even minor ones like a pixel shift or a color change, can break the automation script.
  • Performance
    Sikuli scripts can be slower compared to other automation tools because they rely on image recognition, which is generally more resource-intensive than direct API calls.
  • Complex Workflows
    For highly complex workflows, managing a large number of screenshots and ensuring their accuracy can become cumbersome and error-prone.
  • Limited Community Support
    Despite being open source, Sikuli does not have as large or active a community as some other automation tools, which can make it more difficult to find solutions to specific issues.
  • Debugging
    Debugging Sikuli scripts can be challenging due to its reliance on visual elements. Identifying why an image recognition step failed often requires a manual review of the UI state.

Macro Express features and specs

  • Automation Capabilities
    Macro Express offers robust automation features that allow users to automate repetitive tasks, improving productivity and efficiency.
  • Customizable Macros
    Users can create highly customized macros tailored to specific tasks, giving them flexibility in addressing unique workflow needs.
  • User Interface
    It features an intuitive interface that makes it accessible to both beginners and experienced users, reducing the learning curve.
  • Comprehensive Support
    Macro Express provides extensive documentation and customer support, helping users troubleshoot issues and maximize the utility of the software.
  • Wide Compatibility
    The software is compatible with a variety of Windows applications, enabling cross-platform macro execution.

Possible disadvantages of Macro Express

  • Platform Limitation
    Macro Express is limited to Windows operating systems, restricting its use for those who operate on macOS or Linux platforms.
  • Complexity for Advanced Features
    While the basic interface is user-friendly, some advanced features may require a steeper learning curve, possibly intimidating less technical users.
  • Pricing
    The cost of Macro Express might be prohibitive for some users, especially if they require enterprise-level features or multi-user licenses.
  • Occasional Reliability Issues
    Some users have reported occasional stability and reliability issues, such as crashes or unexpected behavior during macro execution.
  • Limited Updates
    Users may experience a lack of frequent updates, which could lead to delays in receiving new features or improvements.

Sikuli videos

How to Use Sikuli for Test Automation (Image Comparison) || Sysco LABS Tutorials

More videos:

  • Review - Sikuli script for automating a Coda/Firefox workflow
  • Tutorial - SikuliX Tutorial #3 - Conditional Automation

Macro Express videos

Macro Express Review & Tutorial (2018)

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Macro Express Pro Tutorial (1 of 5) - Program
  • Review - Recording a macro using Macro Express
  • Review - A 60 second overview of Macro Express
  • Review - Recording a macro with Macro Express

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Sikuli and Macro Express)
Automation
78 78%
22% 22
Windows Tools
78 78%
22% 22
Scripts
82 82%
18% 18
Tool
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Sikuli and Macro Express

Sikuli Reviews

Top 15 Best TinyTask Alternatives in 2022
You have a user-friendly Sikuli-Scripter that can work easily with a selenium web driver and is useful for automating flash objects. Sikuli’s basic API makes writing incredibly simple and can automate Flash games and Adobe players. For your automated Windows process, greatest engagement with the image, attractive visual match, testing tools, and many more, there are numerous...
Top 20 Best Automation Testing Tools in 2019 (Comprehensive List)
Sikuli is based on image recognition and has the capability of automating anything that we see on the screen. Currently, it supports desktop apps only which run on Windows, Mac or Unix/Linux. This tool is good at reproducing bugs quickly and its users have reported it to be very useful as compared to other tools when you are going to automate an application that is not...
Top 20 Best Automation Testing Tools in 2018 (Comprehensive List)
Sikuli is based on image recognition and has the capability of automating anything that we see on the screen. Currently, it supports desktop apps only which run on Windows, Mac or Unix/Linux. This tool is good at reproducing bugs quickly and its users have reported it to be very useful as compared to other tools when you are going to automate an application that is not...

Macro Express Reviews

15 Best AutoHotkey Alternatives 2022
Another great benefit of Macro Express is reducing errors and human mistakes by automating processes. Macro Express offers a broader range of functions and actions you can set.
9 Best AutoHotkey Alternative Apps
Basically, Macro Express is a set of written instructions or simple mouse actions/ keystrokes.
6 Autohotkey Alternatives
Another Windows utility to record, edit and playback both mouse and keyboard macros is Macro Express and it promises to provide tools and features that make you more productive. Like all the other options mentioned on this list, it lets you record keystrokes and mouse actions so you can cut down on the time spent on carrying out repetitive tasks by automating them.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Sikuli and Macro Express, you can also consider the following products

AutoHotkey - The ultimate automation scripting language for Windows.

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

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

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.

UI.Vision - Modern open-source task and test automation tool and Selenium IDE.

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