AutoHotkey is a tool for Windows that can help you create smaller scripts that can automate some of the tasks you’re doing when using the operating system.
Great task examples include auto-clicking, auto-filling, auto-correction, key binding, and others.
While AutoHotkey is a decent tool, there are dozens of other similar and even better tools that include different features that can be a lot more versatile and easier to use. So some of the reasons why you might need an AutoHotkey alternative include lack of features, better versatility, easier use, lighter tool, or missing features.
Therefore, down below, you can find the 15 best AutoHotkey alternatives that will fit almost every need you have to be fulfilled.
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Best AutoHotkey Alternatives
With so many similar tools, the main distinction is in the smallest details, which can make a huge difference in the long run. Therefore, check out each alternative carefully to learn which alternative might fit your needs best.
1. Pulover’s Macro Creator
Pulover’s Macro Creator is the number one AutoHotkey alternative because it is simpler to use and brings more versatility to the user.
Compared to AutoHotkey, Pulover’s Macro Creator can help you make macros for Windows, but it can even help you make macros for actions in a browser, loops, and image or pixel search.
Setting macros is a much easier process since Pulover’s Macro Creator comes with a simpler user interface with a toolbar full of easy-to-use tools that can help you set macros in seconds.
You get to set macros for devices, including mouse and keyboard macros, operating system controls, messages, and plenty of variables, if-statement commands, functions, and loops.
Therefore, Pulover’s Macro Creator helps you make user-defined macros much easier than AutoHotkey. Even though it might take a bit longer to get to know all the possibilities, Pulover’s Macro Creator makes a better alternative.
Considering that Pulover’s Macro Creator is also a free tool, it is a valuable alternative to fit specific needs and purposes.
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2. Microsoft PowerToys
If you are looking for an AutoHotkey alternative that can help you customize Windows operating system functions and make customizations, Microsoft’s official PowerToys tool is great.
With PowerToys, you can easily get access to manage Windows functions and operations via a sleek interface where you can keep track of all modifications and changes you make.
You can set scripts without having to write a single line of code, and for example, you can keep your computer awake without having to write a script to manage power and sleep functions.
You also get to set various colors all over the operating system, create layouts for windows, and set the apps and programs into those windows so you can stay productive.
This includes having images automatically resized upon downloading, enhancing mouse and cursor use, renaming files all at once, and creating a bunch of macro shortcuts.
Macro shortcuts are similar to AutoHotkey’s macros since you get to set macros that will help you automate things, thanks to PowerToys.
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3. Automation Workshop
Automation Workshop is all about automating the operating system functions and tasks you do daily so it can save you time and improve productivity.
Compared to AutoHotkey, Automation Workshop offers more functions and is a lot more versatile.
With Automation Workshop, you can do anything from monitor local and network folders, make automatic file uploads to cloud networks, use an advanced task scheduler to perform tasks daily, and create custom macros and tasks using over 40 available operations.
You can create macros that will perform tasks in real-time at a touch of a button, and you can even run multiple tasks at once or create a queue list to gain instant benefits.
4. Quick Macros
Quick Macros is a simplified version of a macro tool similar to AutoHotkey. It allows you to automate by creating custom macros that can do things for you, such as launching programs, conducting internet functions, clicking, automating web pages, automating Excel, etc.
You also get to record mouse and keyboard movements and strokes so you can play it and let the Quick Macros do these things instead of you. This is something AutoHotkey is missing, however, it simplifies things and makes Quick Macros a much better alternative.
Almost any operating system and program function can be automated. Setting everything up doesn’t take a lot of time, so you’re ready to save some time performing anything from the most basic tasks to the more complex ones.
5. Macro Express
Macro Express is a much more convenient substitute to AutoHotkey since it provides a simple interface that helps you learn everything about Macro Express in only a minute.
From there, you get to set various macros in different ways. You can record mouse and keyboard strokes or set written instructions for Macro Express.
As a result, you can automate boring and time-consuming tasks, get things done quicker, reduce stress, and have reliable help, yet it doesn’t cost a lot.
Another great benefit of Macro Express is reducing errors and human mistakes by automating processes. Macro Express offers a broader range of functions and actions you can set.
6. Phrase Express
If you tried using AutoHotkey to automate phrases and writing, you probably found out that AutoHotkey doesn’t quite do the job. Instead, Phrase Express is a much better alternative that specifically improves phrase and writing automation.
With Phrase Express, you won’t ever have to type the same phrases again. Once you find out some of the most popular phrases you use daily, you can start saving time by automating them with Phrase Express’ help.
Phrase Express can be used in any program, including web browsers, writing tools, and email programs. Depending on your use of a computer and the rate you type, Phrase Express can save hours for people in certain fields, such as technical support or customer service.
On top of that, Phrase Express supports third-party cloud tools, so you can pair it up with programs such as Google Drive, iCloud Drive, OneDrive, and others to safely and securely work on documents online.
7. WinAutomation
WinAutomation can be considered an advanced version of AutoHotkey, which is ideal for skilled users to script their scripts that will run in the operating system’s background.
At the same time, WinAutomation is one of only a couple of tools that give you almost full freedom in the way you can automate even the most specific aspects of an operating system.
However, if you are not skilled enough, you can take advantage of WinAutomation’s latest drag-and-drop designer, where you can use prebuilt actions to create scripts.
The interface is pretty simple, and while it might take a bit of time to learn how to take full advantage of Wi Automation, it can do a lot more than AutoHotkey, so the learning curve is worth it.
8. JitBit Mouse Recorder
While AutoHotkey only gives you the chance to create macros and shortcuts for keys and mouse clicks, JitBit Mouse Recorder gives you the chance to simplify mouse macros.
JitBit Mouse Recorder works differently than AutoHotkey, yet it provides better help with automating tasks that require clicking and mouse movements.
Since you get to pre-record the macro where you can move your mouse and make a macro recording in any program, browser, or desktop, all actions can be replicated at a touch of a button.
Besides setting mouse coordinates, you get to set the mouse speed and combine both clicks and moves into one macro.
You only have to record the macro once, and you’ll be able to reuse it as many times as you require. With such help, you can specifically automate tasks that only require mouse interaction, which can help you save time, reduce stress, and eliminate errors.
9. MacroGamer
MacroGamer is an AutoHotkey substitute that is ideal for gamers and anyone else who wants to coordinate mouse and keyboard shortcuts for any task.
With MacroGamer, you can do things you can’t with AutoHotkey, and this includes pre-recording both mouse and keyboard shortcuts. Set them as a macro, and you can reuse them at a touch of a button in any app, program, or even a desktop.
Looping a macro is another advantage where you can fully automate certain tasks. On top of that, you can play back movements and strokes, so you have full control over the help you’re getting from MacroGamer.
And if you decide to use MacroGamer for gaming purposes, since it can read pixel colors, it can use “wait events” with a very low input delay to specifically match your needs in any game.
Find out more tools like MacroGamer here.
10. RoboIntern
If you would like to get even more help than what AutoHotkey offers, RoboIntern is a great choice.
RoboIntern can serve as a personal assistant to help take care of repetitive tasks you have to deal with daily. Doing this can free up more of your time, eliminate errors, and get work done more quickly.
The best use of RoboIntern is with office tasks, making it ideal for use with tools such as Excel, Word, email, and various file operations.
Through the intuitive user interface, you can set certain actions and triggers that will help automate tasks in real-time. However, keep in mind that you also get to schedule tasks in advance to get things done even when you’re not in the office.
The most useful use of RoboIntern is to automate a report that can be sent automatically and save hours in return.
11. Clavier+
If you are interested in creating simple shortcuts (macros) that will help you save time on tasks that require a lot of time, Clavier+ is a great choice.
With Clavier+, you can easily set shortcuts through a simple user interface where you won’t have to spend hours learning how to make it work.
Therefore, compared to AutoHotkey, Clavier+ is a lot simpler and more convenient, yet it still includes advanced settings so that you can set more than just simple shortcuts.
What’s most beneficial about Clavier+ is that it works in any software, so you can set shortcuts for both the operating system and the software you use.
Clavier+ is also one of the lightest tools, such as AutoHotkey, so you can run it almost anywhere and set as many shortcuts as you require.
12. EventGhost
EventGhost is considered to be an advanced version of AutoHotkey since it doesn’t only provide more features but can also do Python scripting in real-time as you create shortcuts using EventGhost’s user interface.
It’s also one of the rare tools, such as AutoHotkey, that operates with the help of plugins. EventGhost features over 300 plugins that can help create shortcuts and events where these shortcuts can be automatically implied.
Furthermore, when you create these events, you can schedule them, so EventGhost shortcuts are fully automated in real-time or upon a schedule.
EventGhost can also emulate keyboard and mouse movements to replicate tasks so you can save time and energy, eliminate errors, and be more productive.
Also worth mentioning is that EventGhost is one of the rare AutoHotkey alternatives that are free and still provide free customer support.
13. VisualCron
VisualCron is a 3-in-1 tool that can do much more than AutoHotkey since it can help users automate, integrate, and schedule tasks in advance from just one interface.
All of this is available to anyone without prior coding experience, thanks to the intuitive user interface that’s very easy to use. Inside VisualCron, you can find over 100 tasks for almost anything you can think of automating.
But if you have programming experience, VisualCron still offers a programming interface for all advanced users to build custom macros and automation.
Even though VisualCron isn’t free like AutoHotkey, it’s very affordable and still gets frequent updates based on customer requests.
On top of all of this, VisualCron can handle flow and errors, which you’ll rarely find in any other AutoHotkey alternative, and is useful to have if you create important automations.
14. Key Manager
Key Manager is a simple substitute to AutoHotkey, which can help you create shortcuts and macros based on the keyboard and mouse inputs you set.
With various filters, you can create accurate macros that will replicate actions you usually take daily, such as clicking, opening programs, or anything that requires you time to do, even if it’s the simplest task you can perform on a computer.
Therefore, Key Manager can save you the time you spend going between the keyboard and a mouse since it can help you set the mouse shortcuts and bind them to a key to get most actions done from a keyboard.
This way, you can perform actions on the operating system and specific applications and programs.
While Key Manager is not as advanced as AutoHotkey, it is very convenient and is one of the easiest tools to set up and use without any coding knowledge requirement.
15. Hotkeyz
Hotkeyz is all about providing you with a way to set as many keyboard shortcuts and macros as possible, keep them in check in an easy-to-view list, and edit them.
With Hotkeyz, you can set shortcuts that will perform certain actions, open programs, and control certain aspects of the operating system, to help you get things done quicker.
Another great use of Hotkeyz is to bind mouse strokes to the keyboard so you can open programs without having to switch back and forth between a keyboard and a mouse.
Hotkeyz is all about staying more productive, getting things done, and doing repetitive tasks with ease.
Thanks to a simple user interface, you can set your favorite macros quickly and start taking full advantage of Hotkeyz only minutes after installation.
Conclusion
Pulover’s Macro Creator is the best AutoHotkey alternative because it offers more features, is a lot more versatile, and is still as easy to use as AutoHotkey is.
With user-defined macros and a taskbar full of useful tools that can help you create macros that include system controls, variables, if statements, functions, and loops, you can get much more specific automation processes ready.
However, every AutoHotkey alternative is slightly different. So if Pulover’s Macro Creator isn’t a great fit for you, at least one of the other alternatives should make the cut.
