Our take
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. Pick Raycast if mac or Windows users who will stay on Free at $0 (launcher + File Search + community
Best for
Hazel A folder rule you start at a public $
Raycast A launcher you start at a public $
Free plan
Hazel No free plan
Raycast $0 · launcher + community extensions. No AI credits (“AI isn’t available on the Free plan”)
Lowest paid
Hazel Upgrade to 6 $20
Raycast Pro $10/mo
Next step up
Hazel Hazel 6 $42
Raycast Plus $20/mo
Watch out
Hazel macOS-only
Raycast AI is not on Free
Last checked
Hazel 2026-10-23 · store.noodlesoft.com/store
Raycast 2026-10-23 · raycast.com/pricing
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 pagemac or Windows users who will stay on Free at $0 (launcher + File Search + community extensions; no AI credits) while they open a first .heic list, then Pro at $10/month when they want AI Chat — not Plus $20 unless they need advanced models, and not Max $50 unless they need the top credit grant.
Read the Raycast page
