When it comes to squeezing every last drop of productivity out of a Mac setup, Reddit users are in a league of their own. From tech-savvy developers to creative professionals, the Reddit productivity crowd is always experimenting with tools that make their workflow faster, smoother, and smarter. While some automation tools like Alfred and Keyboard Maestro often grab headlines, there’s a wealth of *underrated* Mac automation tools that fly under the radar yet deliver powerful performance every single day.
TL;DR
Reddit productivity fans rely on a select group of lesser-known Mac automation tools to supercharge their daily tasks. From clipboard managers to intelligent window arrangers, these tools help transform a good Mac experience into a great one. Most require minimal setup and can run seamlessly in the background. This list uncovers six underrated tools that deserve a place in every productivity enthusiast’s toolkit.
1. Espanso – A Powerful Text Expander for Developers and Writers
Espanso is an open-source text expander that allows users to create custom shortcuts for their commonly-used phrases and commands. While apps like TextExpander get more mainstream attention, tech-savvy Reddit users prefer Espanso for its scriptable and cross-platform features.
Redditors in subreddits like r/macapps and r/Productivity rave about how it integrates with scripts, system commands, and supports date/time variables. Whether you’re auto-completing email templates or command-line strings, Espanso cuts down keystrokes significantly.
Key features:
- Custom trigger words for expanding text
- Shell support for executing commands
- Markdown templates
- Cross-platform and open-source
2. Moom – Window Management That’s Actually Fun
If you’re drowning in overlapping windows and screen clutter, Moom can be a productivity lifesaver. It lets users define screen zones and snap windows into pre-set arrangements using keyboard shortcuts or mouse controls. Though not as flashy as some other tools, Redditors love Moom for its intuitive interface and reliability.
It shines especially in dual-monitor or ultra-wide setups, prime territories for productivity buffs. Moom makes it effortless to organize windows — from side-by-side browser and code editor layouts to vertical arrangements for research and writing.
Why Redditors prefer Moom:
- Customize grid layouts exactly how you want
- Saves and applies window arrangements via snapshots
- Works great with Mission Control and Spaces
3. Raycast – A Minimalist’s Alfred Replacement
In the world of Mac launchers, Alfred may be king, but Raycast is quietly becoming a fan favorite on Reddit for its clean API and out-of-the-box integrations. With a UI that resembles Spotlight but packs far more power, Raycast turns searching, launching, and scripting into a lightning-fast experience.
Fans on r/MacApps and r/mac use Raycast extensions to check calendars, manage GitHub issues, control Spotify, and even trigger workflow automations. The command palette interface is fluid and incredibly responsive.
Awesome Raycast perks:
- Low system resources
- Built-in snippets, to-do lists, and clipboard history
- Custom scripts with Node.js or shell commands
4. Hammerspoon – The Automation Power Tool for Coders
Hammerspoon is not for the faint of heart — but for Redditors who love Lua scripting and deep system integration, it’s one of the most powerful automation tools on macOS. It opens up system-level automation through scripts that can control everything from volume and network settings to dynamic window resizing.
Like AutoHotKey for Mac, Hammerspoon is ideal for users comfortable with a bit of code who want highly customized automation. Some Redditors have created full workflows that adjust per app usage, time of day, or workspace.
Capabilities include:
- Smart window tiling
- Dynamic display configuration
- Media key reassignment
- Multistep hotkey sequences
5. BetterTouchTool – Next-Level Gestures and Shortcuts
Reddit discussions often praise BetterTouchTool (BTT) as a must-have for turning a MacBook trackpad into a command center. What many casual users don’t realize is how customizable and extensive the tool actually is. Beyond gestures, BTT creates custom buttons, touch bar interfaces, adaptive menus, and complex macros.
Fans on Reddit share their gesture setups for triggering automation workflows, switching desktops, or controlling smart home devices — all within a flick or tap.
Popular uses among the Reddit crowd:
- Custom three-finger swipes to launch apps
- Touch Bar widgets for real-time system stats
- Automated actions based on window changes
6. Clipboard Manager “Maccy” – The Lightweight Copy-Paste Savior
Maccy often flies under the radar in Mac software roundups, but Reddit’s productivity fans know its value. This ultra-light clipboard manager keeps a history of copied items and makes jumping between snippets nearly instantaneous. No fancy bells or whistles, just raw speed and simplicity.
Unlike bulkier clipboard managers that bog down performance, Maccy’s minimal footprint means you’ll forget it’s there — until you desperately need that thing you copied 20 seconds ago.
Why it’s a quiet hero:
- Uses minimal CPU and RAM
- Supports pinned items
- Searchable clipboard history
- Secure: no cloud syncing or analytics
Putting It All Together
The real productivity magic happens when these tools are *combined*. For example, you might use Raycast to launch a script that triggers a Hammerspoon Lua automation, adjusts Moom window layouts, and pastes common text strings with Espanso — all with a few keystrokes or gestures via BetterTouchTool.
Through thoughtful setup and experimentation, these underrated tools provide high-powered workflows without the resource drain. As many seasoned Redditors point out, the goal isn’t just automation — it’s *smart automation* tailored to your workflow and daily habits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Are these tools free or paid?
- Most tools on this list are either free or offer a generous free tier (like Espanso, Raycast, and Maccy). Some, like Moom and BetterTouchTool, are paid but offer free trials.
- Do I need programming knowledge to use these tools?
- Not all. Tools like Moom and Maccy are user-friendly and require no coding. Others like Hammerspoon are more advanced and cater to developers or tinkerers comfortable with scripting.
- Can these tools work together?
- Yes! Many Reddit users recommend setting up integrations. For example, Raycast can run shell scripts that trigger Hammerspoon or BetterTouchTool actions.
- Will these automation tools slow down my Mac?
- These apps are generally lightweight. Maccy and Raycast, in particular, use minimal system resources. That said, avoid overcrowding your boot-up apps if RAM is limited.
- What subreddit should I follow for updates on tools like these?
- Check out r/macapps, r/Productivity, r/MacAutomation, and r/tools. These communities often share new updates, use-case ideas, and helpful scripts.