The research shortlist
Page updated
HammerspoonTop pick
Lua-driven macOS automation and control
Metadata checked Aug 18, 2026
Broadest functional match for BetterTouchTool-style automation, with mature macOS integrations, current releases, and a strong open-source community.
A Lua-configurable automation layer for macOS that exposes windows, applications, mouse and keyboard events, clipboards, screens, and system services. It can reproduce many BetterTouchTool workflows, but customization is script-based rather than visual.
- 01Lua-configured macOS automation
- 02Global hotkeys and input events
- 03Window and application control
- 04Clipboard, screen, menu, and system integrations
- Most workflows require Lua scripting.
- It lacks BetterTouchTool’s visual gesture-builder experience.
Evidence sources (13)
- Official Hammerspoon GitHub repositorySource available ·
- Hammerspoon MIT licenseLicense ·
- Official Hammerspoon releases and macOS download assetsRelease ·
- Official Hammerspoon homepage with macOS installation instructionsWebsite ↗ ·
- GitHub REST repository APISource available ·
- GitHub license metadataLicense ·
- Latest GitHub releaseRelease ·
- Project homepageWebsite ↗ ·
- Official Hammerspoon GitHub organization and repository cardSource available ·
- Official commit historySource available ·
- Official appcast with version, release date, download, and minimum macOS versionRelease ·
- Official Hammerspoon macOS downloadFree at review time ·
- Official Hammerspoon project icon assetScreenshots ·
Karabiner-Elements
A powerful open-source keyboard customizer for macOS
Metadata checked Aug 18, 2026
Best focused replacement for BetterTouchTool keyboard and input customization, supported by an established macOS-native project with frequent current releases and extensive community rules.
Full review — capabilities, 2 caveats, evidence
A native macOS keyboard and input remapper for complex shortcuts, modifier layers, device-specific rules, mouse keys, and configurable input transformations. It is the strongest fit for BetterTouchTool’s keyboard-centered workflows, but not its full automation suite.
- 01Complex key remapping
- 02Modifier layers and virtual keys
- 03Device-specific profiles
- 04GUI and JSON-based configuration
- 05Mouse-key and input-event transformations
- Focused on keyboard and input events rather than general automation, clipboard, Touch Bar, or window layouts.
- Requires macOS Accessibility and related permissions.
Evidence sources (15)
- Official Karabiner-Elements GitHub repositorySource available ·
- Karabiner-Elements Unlicense/public-domain dedicationLicense ·
- Official Karabiner-Elements releases and downloadsRelease ·
- Official macOS download and supported-systems pageWebsite ↗ ·
- Official pricing page stating the software can be used without purchasesFree at review time ·
- GitHub REST repository APISource available ·
- GitHub license metadataLicense ·
- Latest GitHub releaseRelease ·
- Latest macOS release assetFree at review time ·
- Official GitHub commit historySource available ·
- Repository LICENSE.mdLicense ·
- Official Karabiner-Elements settings screenshotScreenshots ·
- Official Karabiner-Elements settings screenshotScreenshots ·
- Official keyboard type selector screenshotScreenshots ·
- Official Karabiner-Elements settings screenshotScreenshots ·
Rectangle
Keyboard-driven window snapping for macOS
Metadata checked Aug 18, 2026
Highest-quality focused replacement for BetterTouchTool window management, combining a polished native macOS workflow, explicit free/open-source distribution, and active releases.
Full review — capabilities, 2 caveats, evidence
A focused macOS window manager with customizable shortcuts, screen-edge snap areas, tiling, moving, and resizing. It is the cleanest free open-source replacement for BetterTouchTool’s window-layout features, but does not cover its broader input automation.
- 01Window snapping and tiling
- 02Custom keyboard shortcuts
- 03Screen-edge and corner snap areas
- 04Multi-display movement and resizing
- 05Importable configuration
- Specialized to window management.
- Rectangle Pro is a separate paid product; the core Rectangle app remains free and MIT-licensed.
Evidence sources (13)
- Official Rectangle GitHub repositorySource available ·
- Rectangle MIT licenseLicense ·
- Official Rectangle releases and macOS downloadsRelease ·
- Official Rectangle page stating free, open-source, and macOS supportWebsite ↗ ·
- Official Rectangle app iconScreenshots ·
- Official Rectangle shortcut screenshotScreenshots ·
- Official Rectangle snap-area screenshotScreenshots ·
- GitHub REST repository APISource available ·
- Latest GitHub releaseRelease ·
- Latest macOS release assetFree at review time ·
- Rectangle main branch updateSource available ·
- Latest stable Rectangle releaseRelease ·
- Rectangle v0.98 tag dateRelease ·
Specifications, side by side
| Attribute | 1 · Hammerspoon | 2 · Karabiner-Elements | 3 · Rectangle |
|---|---|---|---|
| License | MIT | Unlicense | MIT |
| Platforms | macOS | macOS | macOS |
| Status | Checked | Checked | Checked |
| Version | v1.1.1 | v16.1.0 | v0.98 |
| Stars | 15.9k | 22.6k | 29.7k |
| Last push | |||
| Caveats | 2 | 2 | 2 |
About BetterTouchTool
BetterTouchTool — Create custom actions for everyday tasks on your Mac. Great for personal and professional use to optimize your time and efforts.
Setapp listing: Save time with custom actions
