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Added on Nov 11,2026
Watchflows is a local-first Mac automation app with AI built in that runs repetitive tasks the moment something happens, such as a file landing in Downloads, a hotkey press, a webhook arriving or a scheduled time.
You build flows on a visual canvas by wiring triggers, conditions, actions and AI nodes together, with no code required. The Flow Builder lets you describe a chore in plain words, and Watchflows AI drafts the flow, wires it and explains each node, which you can then change by hand.
Example uses include naming screenshots after what is in them, sorting downloads, renaming files and summarising PDFs overnight. Twenty-one finished Community Flows can be added in a click.
Key features include 80 nodes across 10 categories. Triggers cover folder changes, schedules, hotkeys, the clipboard, app launches, webhooks and forms. Actions reach Apple Notes, Reminders, Calendar, Mail, Messages, Music, Shortcuts and AppleScript, along with file moves, renames, unzipping and PDF reading. AI nodes include prompts, agents with tools, structured output, yes or no decisions, choosing and scoring.
It works with Apple Intelligence and Ollama on-device, LM Studio, Claude and ChatGPT subscriptions, and OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini and OpenRouter keys. Flows, runs and history live in a local database, keys are kept in the macOS keychain, and files are not uploaded. Linear and an MCP server are among the integrations, and Watchflows Cloud is optional.
Pricing: a one-time purchase of $49 includes every v1 update and 2,000 Sparks to try Watchflows AI. A 14-day free trial needs no account or card, and Watchflows is also available through a Setapp membership. Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
It is suited to Mac users who have outgrown Shortcuts or Hazel, including photographers, video creators, developers and local AI users.
By the PowerfulAI.tools Editorial Team · Updated 11 November 2026 · Researched with AI assistance and checked against the official Watchflows website · How we review tools
A one-time licence costs $49 with all v1 updates, after a 14-day free trial; Watchflows Cloud costs $12 per month for 6,000 Sparks, and Spark packs start at $5 for 5,500.
Pricing checked against the official Watchflows website in November 2026. Prices can change, so confirm before you buy.
Mac users who want to automate repetitive tasks like renaming screenshots, sorting downloads and summarising PDFs without writing code.
The site positions it as an alternative to Hazel, Shortcuts and AppleScript, and it can also run Shortcuts and AppleScript as nodes inside a flow.
Flows keep running, and only the AI steps pause. You can bring your own AI provider instead of buying Sparks.
Yes. Watchflows is available as part of a Setapp membership for people who prefer a subscription.
Popular alternatives to Watchflows include Voilà, Hiding AI and Loopa. Compare their pricing and what each is best for below.
| Tool | Pricing | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Voilà | Freemium | Professionals who read and write a lot online and want an AI assistant for email, summaries and rewrites inside the brow... |
| Hiding AI | Free Trial | Job seekers and remote workers who want discreet AI notes, transcripts and answers on their desktop during video calls. |
| Loopa | Freemium | Busy professionals and founders who want to hand everyday tasks to AI agents from one place. |
| SaveDay | Freemium | Researchers, students and heavy readers who save lots of articles and videos and want to find them later by describing w... |
| Flowith | Freemium | Creators and knowledge workers who prefer a visual canvas over a linear chat for working with several AI models. |
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