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Forel vs Hazel
Side-by-side comparison for macOS
Forel
7.0Rule-based file automation
Hazel
8.0Automated organisation
| Metric | Forel | Hazel |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Productivity | Utilities |
| AI Score | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| 30-day Installs | 100 | 137 |
| 90-day Installs | 100 | 431 |
| 365-day Installs | 100 | 2.5K |
| Version | 1.0.9 | 6.1.2 |
| Auto-updates | Yes | Yes |
| Deprecated | No | No |
| GitHub Stars | 765 | 12.9K |
| GitHub Forks | 23 | 1.6K |
| Open Issues | 31 | 136 |
| License | GPL-3.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | Swift | C++ |
| Last GitHub Commit | 9d ago | 2y ago |
| First Seen | Oct 12, 2026 | Sep 23, 2013 |
Reviews
Forel
Forel is an open-source, rule-based file automation tool for macOS, offering a free alternative to Hazel. It enables users to automate file organization and management with customizable rules, ideal for those seeking a non-proprietary solution.
Forel automates file organization on macOS using user-defined rules.
Pros
- + Open-source alternative to Hazel
- + Active development and maintenance
- + Customizable file automation rules
Cons
- - May not appeal to users preferring proprietary software
- - Some open issues may indicate areas for improvement
Hazel
Hazel is a powerful file organization tool that automates tasks through user-defined rules, saving time for power users and developers who need efficient workflow management.
Hazel automates file organization and management by applying user-defined rules to files and folders.
Pros
- + Efficiently automates file organization, saving time.
- + Highly customizable rules for tailored workflows.
- + Strong community support and active development.
Cons
- - Potential confusion due to similar project names.
- - May have a steep learning curve for new users.