Hazel is a file automation tool for macOS that runs in the background and organizes your files for you. You set the rules, and Hazel does the rest. If you spend time manually sorting downloads, renaming documents, or cleaning up your Desktop, Hazel takes care of all of that automatically.

Key Features:

• Watch any folder and trigger actions based on file name, date, type, size, tags, and more
• Automatically move, copy, rename, tag, archive, or delete files
• App Sweep detects when you delete an app and offers to remove all leftover files
• Trash management that empties your Trash based on age or size rules
• Rename files automatically using tokens like dates, counters, and text patterns
• Works with Spotlight, Photos, Music, AppleScript, and Automator
• Chain multiple actions together to build multi-step workflows

Hazel is a paid app with a one-time purchase price. It is one of the most recommended Mac utilities for good reason. Once your rules are set up, your whole filing system runs on its own. It is especially useful if you deal with a lot of documents, downloads, or scanned files every day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Hazel cost?

Hazel is a one-time purchase with no subscription. It includes a free trial so you can test it before buying. Pricing is available on the Noodlesoft website.

Is Hazel worth it?

For anyone who deals with a high volume of files — downloads, scanned documents, project files — Hazel pays for itself quickly in time saved. It is one of the most consistently recommended Mac utilities among power users and has been for over a decade.

What is the difference between Hazel and Automator?

Automator is Apple's built-in automation tool and can handle basic file tasks, but it requires manual triggering in most cases. Hazel runs continuously in the background and reacts to changes in your folders automatically, making it far more practical for ongoing file organization.

Does Hazel work on Apple Silicon Macs?

Yes. Hazel runs natively on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. It supports all recent versions of macOS.

Can Hazel delete files automatically?

Yes. You can set rules to move files to the Trash or delete them permanently based on conditions like age, size, or file type. Hazel also manages your Trash automatically — you can configure it to empty based on how old items are or how much space they take up.