Free picks · Mac · Open source
Best free open-source automation tools for Mac (2026)
Every pick is listed under Automation in our directory, runs on a Mac and is free to use and tagged open source. We rank them by our rating and popularity, then favour tools made mainly for automation and apps built for Mac.
Short answer
The best free open-source automation tools for Mac are gptme, Node-RED and Cline for Desktop, the top three of 18 matches in our directory. All 10 are tagged open source in our directory. 9 of the 10 picks are completely free and the other one has a free plan.
Updated
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At a glance
Counted from the top 10 picks, except the total.
- Matching tools
- 18
- Completely free
- 9
- Open source
- 10
- Work offline
- 6
- Native apps
- 8
Comparison table
“Free plan” means a free tier with paid upgrades. A dash in Licence means our directory does not list the tool as open source.
| # | Name | Pricing | Platforms | Licence | Why pick it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | gptme | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux | Open source | Your agent in your terminal, equipped with local tools. |
| 2 | Node-RED | Free | Linux, Windows, macOS | Open source | Free, open-source low-code tool for wiring together devices, APIs and online services. |
| 3 | Cline for Desktop | Free | macOS, Windows | Open source | The open-source Cline coding agent as a native desktop app. |
| 4 | Capsomnia | Free | macOS | Open source | Turns Caps Lock into a physical keep-awake switch for closed-lid MacBook work. |
| 5 | Cerebro | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux | Open source | A productivity booster and a global search tool. |
| 6 | Onorca | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux | Open source | Free desktop workspace for running Claude Code, Codex and other coding agents in parallel. |
| 7 | n8n | Free plan | Web, Linux, macOS, Windows | Open source | Open-source automation you can host and shape yourself. |
| 8 | Quicksilver | Free | macOS | Open source | The legendary keyboard launcher that lets you control your Mac quickly and elegantly. |
| 9 | OpenMausBot | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux | Open source | An open-source team of AI bots you chat with, each with its own computer. |
| 10 | Genie | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux | Open source | Wishes in, PRs out — a CLI agent that interviews you and ships code. |
Why each pick made the list
Every reason is taken from the tool's own listing: its categories, platforms, features, rating and pricing.
Our top Mac pick, rated 4.6/5, the highest here. Listed mainly under AI Productivity, it also covers automation. A desktop app that runs on a Mac, and also on Windows and Linux. Its listing says it works offline, is privacy-focused and has AI features. On our Windows list it is number 1.
Watch out for: Terminal-first workflow
Number 2 of 10 for Mac, rated 4.6/5. Automation is its main purpose in our directory. Runs on a Mac, and also on Linux and Windows. Its listing says it works offline. On our Windows list it is number 2.
Watch out for: You install and host it yourself
Number 3 of 10 for Mac, rated 4.5/5. Listed mainly under AI Productivity, it also covers automation. A desktop app that runs on a Mac, and also on Windows. Its listing says it has AI features. On our Windows list it is number 3.
Watch out for: Currently in beta
Number 4 of 10 for Mac, rated 4.4/5. Automation is its main purpose in our directory. A Mac app that runs on a Mac and nowhere else. Its listing says it works offline, is privacy-focused and is easy to pick up. It is not in the Windows top 10 (not listed for Windows).
Watch out for: Mac only
Number 5 of 10 for Mac, rated 4.3/5. Automation is its main purpose in our directory. A desktop app that runs on a Mac, and also on Windows and Linux. On our Windows list it is number 4.
Watch out for: Can consume notable system resources with many plugins
Number 6 of 10 for Mac, rated 4.4/5. Automation is its main purpose in our directory. A desktop app that runs on a Mac, and also on Windows and Linux. Its listing says it has AI features. On our Windows list it is number 5.
Watch out for: Built for developers who already use CLI coding agents
Number 7 of 10 for Mac, rated 4.6/5. Automation is its main purpose in our directory. Runs on a Mac, and also on Web, Linux and Windows. Its listing says it works offline, is privacy-focused and has AI features. On our Windows list it is number 6.
Watch out for: Steeper learning curve than Zapier
Number 8 of 10 for Mac, rated 4.5/5. Listed mainly under Personal Productivity, it also covers automation. A Mac app that runs on a Mac and nowhere else. Its listing says it works offline. It is not in the Windows top 10 (not listed for Windows).
Watch out for: Mac only
Number 9 of 10 for Mac, rated 4.5/5. Listed mainly under AI Productivity, it also covers automation. A desktop app that runs on a Mac, and also on Windows and Linux. Its listing says it works offline, is privacy-focused and has AI features. On our Windows list it is number 7.
Watch out for: Needs an existing Claude or Codex subscription
Number 10 of 10 for Mac, rated 4.4/5. Listed mainly under AI Productivity, it also covers automation. A desktop app that runs on a Mac, and also on Windows and Linux. Its listing says it has AI features. On our Windows list it is number 8.
Watch out for: Early-stage project
Running these on Mac
Counted from each pick's listing type and platforms.
- By listing type, the 10 Mac picks are 6 desktop apps (gptme, Cline for Desktop, Cerebro, Onorca and 2 others), 2 automation tools (Node-RED and n8n) and 2 Mac apps (Capsomnia and Quicksilver).
- 8 of 10 are apps you install on a Mac, and Capsomnia and Quicksilver are made specifically for Mac; the other 2 are web or cloud tools listed for Mac.
- Capsomnia and Quicksilver are listed for Mac and nothing else. n8n reaches furthest, on 3 other platforms besides Mac.
- None of these Mac picks is listed on iPhone and iPad.
How this list compares
The same search on other platforms, and the other price filter. Only the differences are named.
- Free open-source automation tools for Windows
8 of these 10 Mac picks also make the Windows top 10. 2 are on this list only: Capsomnia (not listed for Windows) and Quicksilver (not listed for Windows). In their place the Windows list has slackcli and Minimal.
- Free automation tools for Mac
Fine with closed source? The wider free Mac list ranks 23 tools that run on a Mac, open source or not, led by Alfred, gptme and Raycast.
More matches
8 more free open-source automation tools for Mac in our directory, in ranked order.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best free open-source automation tool for Mac?
- gptme is our first pick. Your agent in your terminal, equipped with local tools. Yes. gptme is free to use.
- Are these automation tools really free?
- Yes, every pick is free to start. gptme, Node-RED, Cline for Desktop, Capsomnia and 5 others are completely free. n8n has a free plan with paid upgrades.
- Do these open-source automation tools work on other platforms too?
- 8 picks of 10 also run elsewhere, including gptme (Windows and Linux), Node-RED (Linux and Windows) and Cline for Desktop (Windows).
- Which ones work offline on a Mac?
- gptme, Node-RED, Capsomnia, n8n, Quicksilver and 1 other are listed as working offline. The others need an internet connection for at least some features.
- Which are easiest for beginners?
- Capsomnia is rated beginner-friendly. 9 picks take more time to learn.
- How many free open-source automation tools for Mac are in the directory?
- 18 match: listed under Automation, available on a Mac and free to start, and tagged open source. This page ranks the top 10 and names up to 20 more under More matches. The Automation category page has every listing, paid ones included.
Keep exploring
Wider lists
Related free lists
- Free automation tools for Mac
- Free automation tools for Windows
- Free note-taking apps for Mac
- Free automation tools for Linux
- Free to-do list apps for Mac
- Free open-source automation tools for Windows
- Free project management apps for Mac
- Free time management apps for Mac
- Free writing apps for Mac
- Free AI productivity tools for Mac
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