Side by side
Automate Desktop vs Keyboard Maestro
Both stand on task automation software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free trial Windows
Automate Desktop provides broad no-code automation for a single Windows machine, including browser, desktop, data, and transfer tasks. Its single-machine scope and missing centralized features matter for larger deployments.
Visit Automate Desktop Free trial Mac
Keyboard Maestro combines macro building, scripting, clipboard management, and device controls in a Mac-only package. Its trial allows evaluation before choosing the paid license or upgrade.
Visit Keyboard MaestroThe facts
| Automate Desktop | Keyboard Maestro | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | A free trial | A free trial |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Windows | Mac |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Keyboard Maestro 11: $36, paid once |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Maker | Not published | Keyboard Maestro |
| Website | automate.fortra.com | keyboardmaestro.com |
| On task automation software | #27 of 35 | #31 of 35 |
Automate Desktop: what it does well
- 600+ prebuilt automation building blocks
- Desktop and browser recording
- Event triggers and recovery tools
- Scheduled and secure file transfers
- On-premises local control
What to know first
- Windows platform only
- Designed for one machine and one user
- Centralized multi-machine execution unavailable
- API unavailable in Desktop
Keyboard Maestro: what it does well
- Hundreds of built-in actions
- Unlimited named clipboards
- Supports AppleScript, shell scripts, and JavaScript
- Works with Safari and Chrome
- One license covers up to five Macs
What to know first
- macOS only
- No free plan
- Keyboard Maestro 11 listed at $36 a month
- Requires macOS 10.13 or later
Alternatives to Automate Desktop Alternatives to Keyboard Maestro The whole list