Alternatives

The best ways to organize the Downloads folder on a Mac

For a free start, macOS 26 Shortcuts can sort files as they land in Downloads, if you build the steps. For ready-made help, Omaculate asks before each run, Hazel and AutoShelf automate deeply, Declutr and Folder Tidy sort by type cheaply, and Spotless suits Setapp users.

Prices and details checked on November 4, 2026. Omaculate is our app.

  1. 1

    Shortcuts, Smart Folders and Stacks

    Apple · Free, built into macOS

    Best for: People who like building their own automations

    From macOS 26, Shortcuts can run a shortcut when files are added to a folder; you build the sorting steps yourself. Smart Folders list matching files as a saved search, and Stacks group the Desktop by kind, date or tag.

  2. 2

    Omaculate

    altifacts · Free version; $14.99 once for Grand Oma, 3-day free trial

    Best for: People who want Downloads tidied without surprises

    Recipes for old installers, unzipped zips, duplicate downloads, invoices by year and more. Each run is a list to approve, and nothing is deleted for good.

  3. 3

    Hazel

    Noodlesoft · $42 one-time; 14-day trial

    Best for: Unattended, scripted automation across many folders

    Per-folder rules that run in the background, with text recognition, Shortcuts and script actions, Trash management and App Sweep. macOS 13 or later.

  4. 4

    AutoShelf

    Orcun Ilbeyli · Free; Pro $19.99 one-time

    Best for: A free rule with a dry run, and room to grow

    The free tier watches one folder with one rule and previews exactly which files it will touch. macOS 14 or later.

  5. 5

    Declutr

    Mirhad Rama · Free; Pro $8.99

    Best for: Low-cost watch folders on macOS 13 and 14

    Smart Rules by name, extension, age or size, watch folders that sort new files as they appear, and one-click undo per run.

  6. 6

    Folder Tidy

    Tunabelly Software · $2.99 on the US App Store at the time of checking

    Best for: A one-off sort by file type

    Sorts a folder into subfolders with 22 built-in rules in one click, with an undo history.

  7. 7

    Spotless

    Light Pillar · £19.99 on the developer site; included in Setapp

    Best for: Setapp subscribers

    Scheduled tidy tasks from the menu bar, a drop target and a backup tool.

Questions

Can a Mac organize Downloads automatically without an app?

On macOS 26, yes, with a Shortcuts automation on the Folder trigger. You build the sorting steps yourself, and there is no undo history.

Which option never deletes files?

Omaculate only moves files to the Trash, never empties it, and asks before every Trash row.

Sources (checked November 4, 2026)

Names are trademarks of their owners.

Let Oma have a look at your Downloads.

Free for one folder. Everything free for 3 days, then Grand Oma is $14.99, once.

Coming soon to the Mac App Store Needs macOS 15 Sequoia or later