Best Free Macro Recorder for Mac in 2026

Looking for a free macro recorder on Mac? You have options—but they come with tradeoffs.

Some are fully free but require coding. Others are built-in but limited. And one offers a free trial with no restrictions.

This guide covers the best free and freemium macro recorders for macOS in 2026, ranked by capability and ease of use.

What to Look For in a Mac Macro Recorder

Before we compare tools, here is what matters:

• Visual recording: Can you record by doing the task, or do you have to script it?
• Mouse + keyboard: Does it capture both input types?
• Editing: Can you review and adjust the recording?
• Scheduling: Can it run macros automatically?
• No coding required: Can non-developers use it?

Most free options fail on at least two of these criteria. Keep that in mind as you read.

1. ClickMimic (Free Trial — Best Overall)

ClickMimic is a dedicated macro recorder built for macOS. It captures mouse clicks, drags, scrolls, and keyboard input—then replays them with precise timing.

You get a free 7-day trial with full access to every feature. No restrictions, no watermarks. After the trial, plans start at $10/mo or $70/yr.

Pros:

• Visual recording—click Record, do the task, click Stop
• Records mouse and keyboard together in one workflow
• Timeline editor for reviewing and adjusting actions
• Built-in scheduling (run at specific times or intervals)
• Random delays for natural-looking playback
• Runs natively on macOS (Apple Silicon optimized)

Cons:

• Paid after the 7-day trial ($10/mo or $70/yr)
• macOS only (no Windows or Linux)

Best for: Anyone who wants to record complete workflows without writing code. QA engineers, operations teams, data entry, report automation.

Start your free trial and record your first macro in under 5 minutes.

2. Automator (Free, Built-in)

Automator comes pre-installed on every Mac. It lets you create workflows by dragging and dropping predefined actions—rename files, convert images, run shell scripts.

It is not a macro recorder. But it is free and already on your Mac, so it is worth understanding what it can and cannot do.

Pros:

• Free and pre-installed on macOS
• Good for file operations (rename, move, convert)
• Integrates with many built-in apps
• Can run shell scripts and AppleScript
• Folder Actions for automatic file processing

Cons:

• Cannot record mouse clicks or screen interactions
• No visual macro recording
• Limited to predefined action blocks
• No scheduling without separate tools (cron, launchd)
• Apple has deprioritized it in favor of Shortcuts

Best for: File-based automation—batch renaming, image conversion, PDF manipulation. Not suitable for click-based workflows.

3. Shortcuts (Free, Built-in)

Apple’s Shortcuts app (introduced on Mac with macOS Monterey) offers a modern automation interface. It connects to apps, system actions, and web APIs using a visual block editor.

Like Automator, it is not a macro recorder. It cannot record or replay mouse clicks.

Pros:

• Free and built-in on macOS 12+
• Modern visual interface
• Strong app integrations (especially Apple apps)
• Can run on schedule via Shortcuts Automations
• Shareable workflows

Cons:

• No mouse click recording
• No keyboard input capture
• Each step must be configured manually
• Limited third-party app support
• Complex workflows get messy fast

Best for: App-level automation—sending messages, creating calendar events, toggling settings. If your workflow is “click here, type this, click there,” Shortcuts cannot help.

4. Hammerspoon (Free, Open Source)

Hammerspoon is a powerful macOS automation tool driven by Lua scripts. It gives you low-level access to mouse, keyboard, window management, and system events.

It is completely free with no limits. The catch: you write code for everything.

Pros:

• Fully free and open source
• Extremely powerful and flexible
• Controls mouse, keyboard, windows, audio, WiFi, and more
• Extensible through Lua modules (called “Spoons”)
• Active community and documentation

Cons:

• Requires writing Lua scripts—no visual recorder
• Steep learning curve for non-developers
• No timeline view or editing interface
• No built-in scheduling UI
• Debugging requires coding knowledge

Best for: Developers who want granular control over macOS automation and are comfortable writing Lua. Not suitable for non-technical users.

5. Bunch (Free)

Bunch is a lightweight Mac app that launches groups of apps, runs scripts, and sets up workspaces using plain text configuration files.

It is not a macro recorder—it is a workspace launcher. But it handles a specific automation need very well: setting up your environment.

Pros:

• Free to use
• Simple plain-text configuration
• Launch multiple apps at once
• Run shell scripts and AppleScript
• Toggle workspaces with one click

Cons:

• Cannot record mouse clicks or keyboard input
• Not a macro recorder—workspace management only
• Requires manual configuration (no visual recorder)
• Limited to app launching and script execution
• No scheduling built-in

Best for: Launching predefined workspace setups—“open Slack, Chrome, VS Code, and Terminal in the right positions.” Not suitable for workflow automation.

Comparison Table

So Which One Should You Use?

Choose Automator if your tasks are file-based: batch renaming, image conversion, PDF merging. It is free and already installed.

Choose Shortcuts if you want quick app integrations without coding: send a message, create a reminder, toggle system settings.

Choose Hammerspoon if you are a developer who wants maximum control and does not mind writing Lua scripts.

Choose Bunch if your main need is launching workspace setups—groups of apps with specific window positions.

Choose ClickMimic if you need to record and replay actual workflows: clicks, keystrokes, timing, scheduling. It is the only tool here with a visual recorder.

The free tools are genuinely useful—for what they do. But none of them record mouse clicks. If your repetitive task involves clicking through interfaces, filling forms, or navigating multi-step workflows, you need a macro recorder.

Try ClickMimic Free for 7 Days

Start your free trial and see the difference a visual macro recorder makes. Record your first workflow in minutes. No coding, no configuration files, no Lua scripts.

Full access to every feature for 7 days. Cancel anytime. After the trial, plans are $10/mo or $70/yr.

Record once. Replay forever.

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Want to go deeper? Read our complete Mac macro recorder guide, see how ClickMimic compares to Keyboard Maestro, or learn about keyboard macros on Mac.