# Automator (macOS)

7 Hacker News commenters recommended Automator (macOS) and 7 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 5 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** Built-in macOS tool for automating tasks without code, with droplets and GUI workflows; people also use it as an AppleScript alternative. Critics say Apple never promoted it and it feels dated.

## Why people recommend it

- Works through the GUI, no code (2 comments): "Open Automator and make a droplet or service that runs xattr -d com.apple.quarantine on whatever file you give it." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45911110)) "Just open Automator and use the GUI." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49914484))
- Seen as an AppleScript alternative (2 comments): "I wanted something that could actually replace AppleScript/Automator to a useful degree." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49735507)) "Automator and AppleScript would have been gamechangers if Apple had promoted them" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49181164))

## What people warn about

- Seen as outdated and inscrutable (2 comments): "It's hidden in a glut of inscrutable, outdated apps like Automator, 3D Chess" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46246832)) "from "figure out Automator again" to "message your bot"" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47237378))
- Icon and window corners look off (2 comments): "at release the Automator traffic lights appeared outside the corner radius" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47322689)) "My god it's just such a bad icon." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48727048))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Hammerspoon](https://hackerapproved.com/p/hammerspoon.md): 61 recommend
- [Shortcuts](https://hackerapproved.com/p/apple-shortcuts.md): 57 recommend
- [Tasker](https://hackerapproved.com/p/tasker.md): 12 recommend
- [Noodlesoft Hazel](https://hackerapproved.com/p/hazel.md): 7 recommend

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Automator (macOS)", https://hackerapproved.com/p/automator/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).