Keyboard Maestro
Productivity bots software
Text expanders software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
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$36 one-time per user
Free Trial
Free version unavailable
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- Information technology and software
What is Keyboard Maestro
Keyboard Maestro is a macOS automation tool that lets users build macros to automate repetitive actions across applications, the system, and the clipboard. It is used by individual professionals and teams to create keyboard-driven workflows, trigger actions based on events, and standardize common tasks such as app control, file operations, and text insertion. The product combines a visual macro editor with a large library of actions and supports variables, conditional logic, and scripting for more advanced automation.
Deep macOS automation actions
Keyboard Maestro provides a broad set of built-in actions for controlling applications, windows, menus, files, and the clipboard on macOS. Macros can be triggered by hotkeys, typed strings, application focus, time, or other events, enabling automation beyond simple text expansion. This makes it suitable for end-to-end workflow automation where users need to orchestrate multiple steps across tools.
Flexible logic and variables
The macro system supports variables, calculations, conditional branches, loops, and macro-to-macro composition. This allows users to build reusable components and handle different outcomes within a single automation. For power users, it can reduce the need to switch to separate scripting-only tools for moderately complex workflows.
Multiple integration options
Keyboard Maestro can run AppleScript, shell scripts, and other command-line tools, which helps it integrate with existing scripts and developer utilities. It can also interact with UI elements when direct APIs are not available, expanding the range of automations. These options make it adaptable for technical users who want to connect automation to external tools and services.
macOS-only deployment
Keyboard Maestro runs on macOS and does not provide native Windows or Linux clients. Organizations with mixed operating systems cannot standardize on it for cross-platform automation. This can limit its use to individual or Mac-only teams.
Steep learning curve
While the editor is visual, building reliable macros often requires understanding triggers, variables, and application behaviors. UI automation can be sensitive to app updates or UI changes, which increases maintenance for complex workflows. New users may need time to develop conventions and testing practices to avoid brittle automations.
Limited team governance features
Keyboard Maestro is primarily designed for individual automation rather than centralized administration. It does not emphasize enterprise controls such as role-based access, approval workflows, or organization-wide policy management for shared automations. Teams can share macros, but governance and lifecycle management typically rely on external processes.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single-user license (Keyboard Maestro 11) | $36 one-time (plus applicable tax) | Licensed per-user (usable on up to five Macs); current major version license; no subscription; purchased/fulfilled via FastSpring. |
| Upgrade from previous major version | $25 one-time (plus applicable tax) | Discounted upgrade path from prior versions; purchases since 1 March 2023 receive a free upgrade to version 11; contact vendor for volume/enterprise quotes. |
