- Pick it if you are:
- Windows power users and sysadmins; Developers comfortable scripting
- Top complaint:
- AutoHotkey v1 scripts not working after installing v2
- Price:
- Free plan
- Pick it if you are:
- Developers on Windows; Multi-monitor and ultrawide users
- Top complaint:
- PowerToys Run not opening with Alt+Space
- Price:
- Free plan
Score Comparison
Signals Comparison
AutoHotkey
- AutoHotkey v1 scripts not working after installing v2(7/10)
- AutoHotkey v2 error: This line does not contain a recognized action(6/10)
Microsoft PowerToys
- Text Extractor says 'No OCR languages are installed'(4/10)
- Two launchers: PowerToys Run vs Command Palette(4/10)
- Is PowerToys bloated?(3/10)
AutoHotkey
- AutoHotkey hotkeys not working in admin windows(7/10)
- AutoHotkey blocked or banned in games with anti-cheat(8/10)
Microsoft PowerToys
No signals
AutoHotkey
- Antivirus flags AutoHotkey or compiled .exe as a virus(7/10)
- Is it safe to run downloaded AutoHotkey scripts?(6/10)
Microsoft PowerToys
No signals
AutoHotkey
- AutoHotkey Send not working in games and some apps(6/10)
- AutoHotkey modifier key stuck after Send(6/10)
Microsoft PowerToys
- PowerToys Run not opening with Alt+Space(7/10)
- PowerToys doesn't work with apps running as administrator(7/10)
- Keyboard Manager remaps not working in some apps and games(6/10)
- PowerToys updates break things (and need hotfixes)(6/10)
- FancyZones not snapping windows(6/10)
- Mouse Without Borders not connecting(6/10)
AutoHotkey
- Is AutoHotkey hard to learn? It is a programming language(6/10)
Microsoft PowerToys
- Settings window won't open or is blank(5/10)
AutoHotkey
- AutoHotkey hotkeys not working with non-English keyboard layouts(5/10)
Microsoft PowerToys
No signals
AutoHotkey
- AutoHotkey script slow or lagging under heavy CPU load(4/10)
Microsoft PowerToys
- Why does PowerToys use so much RAM?(5/10)
- PowerToys high CPU usage (Awake and others)(5/10)
AutoHotkey
- AutoHotkey has no official support, only forum and Reddit(5/10)
Microsoft PowerToys
- No real support, only GitHub issues(4/10)
AutoHotkey
- AutoHotkey is Windows only (no Mac, Linux or phone)(5/10)
Microsoft PowerToys
No signals
Pricing Comparison
AutoHotkey
Users: Unlimited
Limits: Windows only, no official support, no visual macro recorder, no built-in sync or cloud
Microsoft PowerToys
Users: Unlimited
Limits: Windows 10/11 only, no Mac or Linux version, no official support beyond GitHub issues, some modules need admin mode to work with elevated apps
Feature Comparison
| Feature | AutoHotkey | Microsoft PowerToys |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| Hotkeys and key remapping | ||
| Hotstrings (text expansion) | ||
| Compile to .exe Ahk2Exe; may be flagged by antivirus | ||
| GUI building Code-only, no designer | ||
| Launcher | ||
| PowerToys Run launcher Alt+Space by default | ||
| Command Palette Win+Alt+Space, successor to Run | ||
| App launcher / search Can be scripted, not built in | ||
| Window management | ||
| FancyZones window layouts | ||
| Input | ||
| Keyboard Manager remapping Doesn't work on password screens | ||
| Mouse Without Borders Control up to 4 PCs | ||
| Compatibility | ||
| Works in elevated windows Needs run as admin or UI Access | ||
| v1 script compatibility in v2 Scripts need conversion | ||
| Productivity | ||
| Text Extractor OCR Win+Shift+T, needs OCR language pack | ||
| Clipboard history manager Advanced Paste only; Windows has Win+V | ||
| Platform | ||
| macOS / Linux support Windows only | ||
| Mac/Linux version | ||
| Ease of use | ||
| Visual macro recorder | ||
Have an app idea? Our small team builds any software: web and mobile apps, games, desktop, AI tools. Price agreed together.
Talk to us