Alternatives

Hazel alternatives for Mac

Hazel is the deepest rules engine for Mac folders, and for scripted, unattended automation it remains the one to beat. If you want something simpler or cheaper, the main options are Shortcuts folder automations (free, macOS 26), AutoShelf, Spotless, Omaculate and Folder Tidy.

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

    AutoShelf

    Orcun Ilbeyli · Free; Pro $19.99 one-time

    Best for: Power users who want Hazel-style depth on the Mac App Store

    Watches folders in the background, with a dry run before every action even on the free tier. Pro adds unlimited rules, text and EXIF matching, shell and AppleScript actions, and a command-line tool. macOS 14 or later.

  3. 3

    Omaculate

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

    Best for: Tidying Downloads and the Desktop with a plan to approve

    Thirteen ready-made recipes, each run shown as a list before anything moves, and files only ever sent to the Trash. Grand Oma adds schedules, any number of folders and on-device smart naming.

  4. 4

    Spotless

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

    Best for: Setapp subscribers and older Macs

    Menu bar tasks built from Smart Folder-style rules, scheduled runs, a drop target, and a history you can undo from. macOS 10.12 or later.

  5. 5

    Folder Tidy

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

    Best for: A quick, low-cost sort of one big folder

    One click sorts a folder into subfolders with 22 built-in rules plus your own, with an undo history that survives quitting. macOS 10.13 or later.

Questions

Is there a free alternative to Hazel?

On macOS 26, Shortcuts can run a shortcut when files are added to a folder, which covers simple sorting if you build it yourself. AutoShelf and Omaculate also have free versions with limits.

Is there a Hazel alternative on the Mac App Store?

Yes: AutoShelf, Omaculate and Folder Tidy are sold there.

When should I stay with Hazel?

When you rely on scripts, text recognition in scans, Trash management or App Sweep. None of the simpler apps here covers all of that.

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