- Pick it if you are:
- Mac power users who want speed; People who hate subscriptions
- Top complaint:
- Alfred can't find files or apps that exist on the Mac
- Price:
- Free plan
- Pick it if you are:
- Mac power users with repetitive tasks; Text expansion users on Mac
- Top complaint:
- Keyboard Maestro stops working after macOS update
Score Comparison
Signals Comparison
Alfred
- Alfred can't find files or apps that exist on the Mac(7/10)
- Alfred clipboard history not saving clips(5/10)
- Alfred snippets not expanding(5/10)
- Alfred preferences not saving or syncing via Dropbox(6/10)
Keyboard Maestro
- Keyboard Maestro macros not triggering(8/10)
- Keyboard Maestro stops working after macOS update(9/10)
- Typed string triggers stop working(7/10)
- Click at Found Image not working(6/10)
- Keyboard Maestro problems on macOS Tahoe(7/10)
- Secure Input blocks Keyboard Maestro(6/10)
- Keyboard Maestro Engine not launching at login(6/10)
Alfred
- Alfred hotkey not working or conflicting with Spotlight(7/10)
- Why does Alfred look so dated next to Raycast?(4/10)
- Alfred has no built-in AI features(3/10)
Keyboard Maestro
- Keyboard Maestro is too complicated for beginners(6/10)
- Keyboard Maestro interface looks dated(5/10)
Alfred
- Alfred workflows are hard to learn and set up(5/10)
- Mac App Store version of Alfred is outdated(4/10)
Keyboard Maestro
No signals
Alfred
- No free trial of the Alfred Powerpack, and no refunds for 'not for me'(5/10)
- Single License covers only one major version(4/10)
Keyboard Maestro
- Paid upgrade for each major version(3/10)
Alfred
- Alfred workflows stopped working after macOS update (Python 2)(6/10)
Keyboard Maestro
- Browser and app actions fail (Safari, Chrome, Adobe)(5/10)
Alfred
- Alfred is Mac only, no Windows or Linux version(4/10)
Keyboard Maestro
- Keyboard Maestro is Mac only(5/10)
Alfred
No signals
Keyboard Maestro
- Macros type or paste text too fast and drop characters(5/10)
Pricing Comparison
Alfred
Users: 1 user
Limits: No workflows, no clipboard history, no snippets or text expansion, no Universal Actions, no themes, no preference sync, no 1Password integration, no music controls
Users: 1 user, up to 2 of your own Macs
Limits: Individual use only, non-transferable, not for shared workstations
Users: 1 user, your own Macs
Limits: Individual use only; teams need Corporate Licensing
Keyboard Maestro
Users: 1 user per license
Limits: macOS only
Users: 1 user per license
Limits: Requires a previous license
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Alfred | Keyboard Maestro |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| App launcher and file search Uses the macOS Spotlight metadata index | ||
| Triggers | ||
| Hotkey triggers | ||
| Typed string (text expansion) triggers Does not fire in password fields | ||
| Automation | ||
| Workflows Powerpack only | ||
| Productivity | ||
| Clipboard history Powerpack only, off by default | ||
| Snippets / text expansion Powerpack only; dynamic placeholders | ||
| Universal Actions Powerpack only | ||
| Actions | ||
| Image search and click Needs Screen Recording permission | ||
| Run shell, AppleScript, JavaScript | ||
| Logic | ||
| Variables and conditions | ||
| Sync | ||
| Preference sync across Macs Via a synced folder such as Dropbox or iCloud | ||
| AI | ||
| Built-in AI chat Available through community workflows with your own API key | ||
| Platforms | ||
| Windows or Linux version macOS only | ||
| iPhone / iPad app | ||
| Platform | ||
| Windows version macOS only | ||
| Pricing | ||
| Free Powerpack trial | ||
| Free trial Trial download linked from the official site | ||
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