Does NameQuick replace Hazel?

No. Hazel's rules need something worth matching on, and that's what NameQuick writes into the filename; the two examples above show the handoff.

How does NameQuick read file contents?

It uses OCR to extract text from images and PDFs and AI models to interpret the content, and it reads Office documents directly. That lets it pull dates, names and amounts to build a descriptive filename.

How much do NameQuick and Hazel cost?

Hazel is a one-time $42 single-user license (no subscription) and needs macOS 12 or later. NameQuick is a one-time $69 BYOK license or Managed plans from $12 to $99/month, on macOS 15.4 or later. The NameQuick trial covers 50 renames and needs no card.

Can Hazel rename files based on their contents?

Hazel 6 can extract text from PDFs and images, but you still write the patterns it should match. It does not understand a document the way NameQuick's AI does, so it can't summarize an unfamiliar file into a name on its own.

Is NameQuick private?

Yes, and you pick the mode. Whichever one you run, Undo Rename, blocked renames for invalid output and a Clean Filenames option are there to catch mistakes before they stick.

NameQuick vs Hazel

NameQuick reads your files and names them.
Hazel sorts what's already named.

NameQuick uses AI to understand file contents and write descriptive names. Hazel runs if-then rules on metadata to move, tag and archive.

Download free Compare side by side

50 renames, no credit card. macOS 15.4+.

NameQuick

AI reads your files and names them

Hazel

Rule-based folder automation

The short version

The split is where a name comes from. NameQuick reads a file's contents to write one; Hazel acts on the name and metadata a file already has, so what you need depends on whether your files are named well enough to match on.

Choose NameQuick: when file contents matter: invoices, receipts, contracts, statements, scans or photos where the filename tells you nothing.
Choose Hazel: when the filename or metadata already says what you need and the job is housekeeping: move, tag, archive, run scripts.
Or use both: NameQuick names the file and hands it to Hazel to file.

At a glance

Core approachNameQuick:AI reads file contents, then namesHazel:If-then rules on file metadata

PriceNameQuick:$69 one-time (BYOK) or Managed from $12 to $99/monthHazel:$42 one-time, no subscription

PlatformNameQuick:macOS 15.4 or laterHazel:macOS 12 (Monterey) or later

Free trialNameQuick:50-rename Self-Managed trial. No card.Hazel:Free trial before purchase

Feature by feature

How they compare

Feature	NameQuick	Hazel
Understands file contents	AI + OCR read PDFs, images and Office docs to extract dates, names and amounts.	Matches on name, type, date or size. v6 recognizes text in PDFs and images, but you define the patterns.
Naming	Smart Rename, drag-and-drop templates with 16+ placeholders, and free-form prompts.	Renames from filename patterns and metadata you specify.
Automation	Watch Folders and batch processing rename new files as they arrive. PDF attachments from senders you approve can be routed into a watched folder, with a record of what was filed; NameQuick never reads or modifies email, and credentials stay in the system keychain.	Continuously watches folders via FSEvents and applies rules.
File organization	Rules engine moves, tags, color-labels and comments using dynamic path templates. Quick Organize can propose folders and filenames for a whole batch on Managed AI or a supported cloud provider, and nothing moves until you approve the plan. Duplicate cleanup verifies exact matches byte for byte, flags similar images for you to compare rather than acting on them, and sends copies to the Trash only on your say-so, undoably.	Deep action set: move, copy, archive, upload, tag, run scripts, manage Trash.
Extensibility	Bring your own key (Gemini, OpenAI or Claude), or run a local model with Ollama, LM Studio or MLX.	Shortcuts, AppleScript and shell scripts run on matched files.
Privacy	Three modes: a local model (Ollama, LM Studio, MLX) keeps content on your Mac, your own cloud key, or the Managed EU-routed service. OCR always runs on the Mac.	Processes locally; no AI calls involved.
Learning curve	Smart Rename works right away. Templates take a bit of setup.	Power comes from rule design: more upfront configuration, more control.

Choose NameQuick when…

Your files have meaningless names like download(3).pdf, and the date, client or amount you need is inside them.
You want one-click naming without building rule trees.
Sensitive documents shouldn't leave the Mac, so a local model does the reading.
A backlog needs sorting once, and you want to see the proposed folders and filenames before anything moves.
Hazel's rules start once a file is already in a folder, but the invoice is still an email attachment that has to reach the watched folder first, and be recorded when it does.
Duplicate copies pile up however good the rules are, and only byte-for-byte verification proves two files are actually identical.
You're already paying for Setapp, so AI renaming comes with the subscription at Managed quality and no API key, though the included credits can run out.

Choose Hazel when…

Your files are already named well and just need to be sorted.
You want to move, tag or archive based on name, type or date.
AppleScript or shell scripts are already part of your workflow.
You want one tool to handle Trash cleanup and app uninstalls.

Not either/or

Better together: name with NameQuick, file with Hazel

Rules can only match what's already in the name or the metadata. Two files, end to end:

IMG_4823.jpg2026-03-10_Wedding_Garden_Sunset.jpgHazel moves it to Photos/2026/03 and runs a backup.

download(3).pdf2026-05-12_ClientName_Invoice123.pdfHazel drops it in Invoices/2026 and logs the expense.

Already own Hazel? Keep it for housekeeping and add NameQuick for the naming it can't do.

Common questions

Read the full Hazel comparison