Compare software

Automator vs Apple Shortcuts: catalog facts
Automator	Apple Shortcuts
Free Included with macOS at no extra cost.	Free Free, bundled with macOS and iOS.
macOS	macOS, iOS
Already installed on every Mac Builds workflows without programming	Built into every modern Mac, iPhone, and iPad at no extra cost Drag-and-drop editor is approachable without any scripting
macOS only Apple now puts more focus on Shortcuts	Limited to the Apple ecosystem with no Windows or Android version Less powerful for complex conditional logic than dedicated macro tools
Operating system	Downloadable app
Closed source	Closed source
License not stated	License not stated
No account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 24, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.