5 Best Free Keyboard Maestro Alternatives for Mac in 2026

Do you find yourself wasting time on small, repetitive tasks like typing the same text, opening apps, or managing workflows manually? These tasks slow down productivity and take focus away from important work.

In 2026, there's no reason to waste time when there are so many great tools available that can help you automate it.

Keyboard Maestro is one option, but it requires a paid license. If you're looking for a tool to automate your work on Mac, don't worry, there are plenty of great tools available.

In this article, we'll cover the 5 best free Keyboard Maestro alternatives for Mac that you can use to automate your work in 2026.

What is Keyboard Maestro?

Keyboard Maestro is a Mac automation tool that lets you create shortcuts, automate text input, and control applications with custom commands. It is used by people who want to reduce manual work and make repetitive tasks faster.

Whether you're looking for text expansion or form-filling, these types of tools are worth investing in.

Is Keyboard Maestro Free?

Unfortunately, Keyboard Maestro is not free. It offers a lifetime license purchase as well as upgrade purchases, and doesn't offer a free plan.

If you're looking for a free automation or text expansion tool for Mac, keep reading to see some of the top suggestions that can help you out.

Why Use Automation Tools for Mac?

If you’re working on a Mac every day, you’ve probably noticed how much time goes into small, repetitive tasks. Things like typing the same responses, opening the same set of apps, or setting up similar workflows can eat up hours each week.

Here are the benefits of using automation tools for Mac:

• Save time on Mac - Automate everyday tasks such as opening apps or typing long responses so you can focus on higher-value work.

• Use text expanders - Handle repeated phrases, templates, or forms without retyping them.

• Keep workflows organized - Streamline tasks by connecting shortcuts to your most-used apps and commands.

• Reduce typing mistakes - Let automation handle consistent text or system commands to lower errors.

Using automation tools helps you work more efficiently and avoid wasting effort on things your Mac can do for you. It’s a simple way to get more done without adding extra stress to your day.

How to Choose a Keyboard Maestro Alternative

Finding the right tool depends on how you actually use your Mac. Some people just need a text expander, while others want full control over apps and workflows.

Here are a few things to think about when choosing a Keyboard Maestro alternative:

• Match your needs - Decide if you mainly want text expansion, app launching, or complete workflow automation.

• Check app compatibility - Make sure the tool works smoothly with the Mac apps you already rely on.

• Look for easy setup - Pick an option that you can install and start using without a long learning curve.

• Review the free features - See if the free version gives you enough tools before you consider any upgrades.

By asking these questions, you’ll narrow down the choices to what really helps you. The goal is to pick a tool that fits naturally into your daily routine and actually makes your Mac easier to use.

5 Best Free Keyboard Maestro Alternatives

Why waste time in 2026 when you can automate your work instead?

Here's our list of the 5 best free Keyboard Maestro alternatives that you can use to save time:

1. Text Blaze

First up on our list of the best free Keyboard Maestro alternatives is Text Blaze. Text Blaze allows you to create smart text templates and insert them on any site or app using keyboard shortcuts.

Text Blaze can help you automate repetitive typing, streamline workflows, and boost productivity with customizable, dynamic text templates.

With Text Blaze, you can:

• Automate repetitive typing anywhere you work! Text Blaze works on Mac, Chrome, and Windows.

• Streamline workflows like transferring data or filling out forms. Learn more here.

• Create dynamic templates that you can customize for any situation. Use placeholders and advanced commands to create powerful templates.

• Save time for free! Text Blaze is free forever, no licenses or upgrades necessary.

2. Alfred

Alfred is a productivity app for Mac that combines quick search with automation. You can use it to launch apps, find files, and run custom workflows.

It also offers text expansion and workflow automation features to help you save time. It offers a limited free plan with paid upgrades.

3. TextExpander

TextExpander is a well-known text expander tool that helps Mac users insert saved snippets with shortcuts.

If you're fine with a tool that has limited features but is simple and easy to use, tools like TextExpander are a good choice for you. TextExpander does not have a free plan.

4. Espanso

Espanso is a free and open-source text expander that works on Mac, Windows, and Linux. It uses simple keyword triggers to insert text, code, or templates.

Advanced users can connect it with scripts and system commands for more automation. Being open-source, it gives you full flexibility to adjust and customize how it runs.

5. ShortKeys

ShortKeys provides simple text replacement on Mac with shortcut-based triggers. It is lightweight compared to other tools but covers the basics well.

You can set custom key combinations to expand phrases, forms, or even entire paragraphs. This makes tools like ShortKeys useful if you just want straightforward automation without complex setup.

Make Your Mac Work Smarter

Automation on Mac doesn’t have to come with a price tag. While Keyboard Maestro is popular, there are free alternatives that cover text expansion, app launching, and workflow management.

By trying out these options, you can find the one that best matches your needs and start automating tasks to save time, reduce errors, and stay focused on your important work.

To recap, our suggestion for the best free Keyboard Maestro alternative is Text Blaze. Text Blaze is the best free automation tool and text expander for Mac because it works anywhere and is free forever. Give it a try for free today!