Pick Default Folder X if
mac users who live in Open/Save and will pay $39.95 — not Hazel folder rules first unless they want automation.
Read the Default Folder X pageDefault Folder X vs Hazel
Our take
Pick Default Folder X if mac users who live in Open/Save and will pay $39.95 — not Hazel folder rules first unless they want automation. Pick Hazel if mac users on macOS 13+ who will run the trial while they file a first Downloads rule — then Hazel 6 at US$42 once (or Family Pack US$65 for ≤5 household Macs), not Keyboard Maestro US$36 first unless they want a general macro suite, and not if they need Windows / a
Best for
Default Folder X Land in the right folder at a public $
Hazel A folder rule you start at a public $
Free plan
Default Folder X No free plan
Hazel No free plan
Lowest paid
Default Folder X 2+ licenses $34.95
Hazel Upgrade to 6 $20
Next step up
Default Folder X Single-user $39.95
Hazel Hazel 6 $42
Watch out
Default Folder X An Open/Save enhancer, not a file manager
Hazel macOS-only
Last checked
Default Folder X 2026-10-26 · stclairsoft.com/DefaultFolderX
Hazel 2026-10-23 · store.noodlesoft.com/store
Which one, then?
Pick Hazel if
mac users on macOS 13+ who will run the trial while they file a first Downloads rule — then Hazel 6 at US$42 once (or Family Pack US$65 for ≤5 household Macs), not Keyboard Maestro US$36 first unless they want a general macro suite, and not if they need Windows / a GUI that is not a folder watcher.
Read the Hazel page