// autoshelf
Hazel has been the go-to Mac file organizer for years. AutoShelf is a modern alternative designed for macOS Ventura and later. Here is how they compare.
// the comparison
// feature comparison
| Feature | AutoShelf | Hazel |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free with one rule, $19.99 one-time for unlimited | $42 one-time per Mac |
| Modern macOS design | Yes, native SwiftUI, iOS-like UX | No, dated interface |
| Built-in templates | Yes, 5 templates for common use cases | No, create rules from scratch |
| Regex support | Not yet (planned) | Yes |
| Download source routing | Yes | Limited (Safari, Mail only) |
| Download app detection | Yes | No |
| Image optimization | Yes | No |
| Runs on macOS 13+ | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Silicon native | Yes | Yes (Intel via Rosetta) |
| Menu bar app | Yes | Yes |
| Folder nesting | In development | Yes |
| Webhooks | No | No |
| AppleScript support | No | Yes |
| Shell script actions | No | Yes |
| Condition operators | Simple (match all/any) | Advanced (regex, nesting) |
| Trial | Free with one rule, no time limit | 14-day trial |
| Offline | Yes | Yes |
| Confirmation mode | Yes | No |
| Delay before action | Yes | Yes |
// why choose autoshelf
AutoShelf looks and feels like a modern macOS app. Built with SwiftUI, it follows Apple's latest design conventions and supports dark mode natively.
Hazel costs $42 per Mac. AutoShelf is free with one rule and $19.99 one-time for unlimited rules. No subscription, no hidden fees.
AutoShelf includes 5 built-in templates for the most common use cases. Enable one and you are done in seconds instead of building a rule from scratch.
AutoShelf reads download URL and app metadata that Hazel does not support. Route files by where they came from, not just what they are.
AutoShelf can automatically compress and optimize images. This is a paid feature in Hazel or requires a separate tool.
AutoShelf is free with one rule indefinitely. Hazel's 14-day trial requires you to decide quickly or pay up front.
// when hazel is better
// faq
Yes. AutoShelf covers the most common file organization use cases with a modern, simpler interface. It is an excellent alternative for users who do not need Hazel's advanced regex and scripting.
Not directly. AutoShelf and Hazel use different rule architectures. However, AutoShelf's built-in templates cover most common Hazel use cases.
Yes. AutoShelf is free with one rule and $19.99 one-time for unlimited rules. Hazel costs $42 per Mac. AutoShelf is also free to try with no time limit.
Not yet. Regex support is on the roadmap. If you need regex-based rules today, Hazel may be the better choice.