Freedom251 › Workflow automation tools
Hazel
by Hazel
What Hazel is
Hazel is macOS software that watches folders and applies user-created rules to organize files automatically. Rules can move, rename, open, archive, tag, upload, or sort files into subfolders, with multi-step workflows and conditional logic. Hazel can delete files based on age or trash size, and App Sweep finds support files left when an application is trashed. Listed integrations include Spotlight, Photos, Music, TV, Notifications, Tags, Shortcuts, AppleScript, and Automator. Hazel 6 adds text recognition for graphics and PDFs, password-protected PDF support, file-change reversion, custom list attributes, file locking, and pause actions. Uploads support FTP, SFTP, and WebDAV, with server passwords stored in the Mac keychain. Hazel 6.1.2 requires macOS 13 Ventura or later. The software has a 14-day trial but no free plan. Hazel 6 is listed at $42 a month for a single-user license; Family Pack and Upgrade plans are also listed.
Who it suits
Hazel suits Mac users who want folder-based automation with conditions, multi-step actions, cleanup tools, and Apple integrations. The available licenses cover individual users, private households, and upgrades.
What it does well
- Multi-step workflows and conditions
- Rules organize files automatically
- App Sweep removes leftover support files
- FTP, SFTP, and WebDAV uploads
- 14-day trial
What to know first
- macOS 13 Ventura or later required
- No free plan
- Trial limits rule export
- Family Pack is private-household only
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hazel 6 Upgrade | Upgrade from a previous version · price shown as $20 + | $20, paid once |
| Hazel 6 | License; price shown as $42 + | $42, paid once |
| Hazel 6 Family Pack | License for up to 5 household members · Private households only · price shown as $65 + | $65, paid once |
As noodlesoft.com lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Hazel provides rule-driven file organization, cleanup, integrations, and newer PDF and text-recognition tools. Its macOS requirement, paid licensing, and trial restrictions should be checked before choosing it.
Facts from Hazel's own pages
- Company
- Noodlesoft describes itself as a one-person company making software since 2006 and based in New York City. · noodlesoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Conditional logic
- Yes · store.noodlesoft.com, 21 Sept 2026
- File workflows
- Rules can move, rename, open, archive, tag, and upload files, and sort them into subfolders. · noodlesoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2006 · noodlesoft.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Free evaluation
- Unregistered Hazel runs with all features except rule export for 14 days, then enters Demo mode limited to one monitored folder and two active rules. · noodlesoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- No · store.noodlesoft.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Hazel 6 features
- Hazel 6 adds on-the-fly text recognition for graphics and PDFs, support for password-protected PDFs, file-change reversion, custom list attributes, file locking, and pause actions. · noodlesoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- New York City · noodlesoft.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Licensing limit
- The Family Pack license covers up to five members of a private household. · store.noodlesoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
- macOS integrations
- The site lists Spotlight, Photos, Music, TV, Notifications, Tags, Shortcuts, AppleScript, and Automator support. · noodlesoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Multi-step workflows
- Yes · store.noodlesoft.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Privacy
- Anonymous system statistics collection during update checks is off by default, must be explicitly enabled, and can be previewed before transmission. · store.noodlesoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Hazel watches folders and automatically organizes files according to rules users create. · noodlesoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- Noodlesoft provides a user guide, user forums, license recovery, and a contact form for support requests. · noodlesoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
- System requirement
- Hazel 6.1.2 requires macOS 13 Ventura or later. · noodlesoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Transaction security
- The store says all transactions are secure and purchase information is sent to a transaction processor to complete the order. · store.noodlesoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Trash and app cleanup
- Hazel can delete files based on age or trash size, and App Sweep can find support files left behind when an application is trashed. · noodlesoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Upload protocols
- The Upload action supports FTP, SFTP, and WebDAV, and Hazel stores server passwords in the Mac keychain. · noodlesoft.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where Hazel stands on Freedom251
- Workflow automation tools#121 of 133