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Keyboard Maestro vs Automator: catalog facts
Keyboard Maestro	Automator
Paid One-time paid license from Stairways Software.	Free Included with macOS at no extra cost.
macOS	macOS
Visual editor makes complex conditional automations approachable without coding Deep macOS integration for triggering macros from almost any event	Already installed on every Mac Builds workflows without programming
macOS only One-time paid license	macOS only Apple now puts more focus on Shortcuts
Downloadable app	Operating system
Closed source	Closed source
License not stated	License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed	No account needed
Not stated if it works offline	Works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 24, 2026

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