Photo-First Alternative
Hazel is a great file automator, but it strips the context from your photos. FolioSort is the native macOS engine that reads embedded EXIF metadata—date, camera, lens, GPS—and builds perfect folder hierarchies instantly. No scripting required.
A general rule engine versus a purpose-built photo organizer
| Feature | Hazel (Noodlesoft) | FolioSort (macOS) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | General file automation | Photo & video organization |
| EXIF metadata reading | File attributes only | Date, camera, lens, ISO, GPS |
| Smart folder templates | Rule-based actions | Tokens: {YYYY}, {Camera}, {City} |
| GPS reverse geocoding | City & Country from GPS (Pro) | |
| Batch rename with regex | With capture groups & live preview | |
| RAW photo support | Moves any file, no EXIF reading | 20+ RAW formats with EXIF (Pro) |
| Cinema RAW (BRAW, R3D) | (Pro) | |
| Checksum verification | XXHash64 & SHA-256 | |
| Full undo | Up to 50 operations | |
| NAS/Cloud support | Limited | SMB/AFP/iCloud (Pro) |
| Setup complexity | Write rules per folder | Pick template, click Start |
| Pricing | $42 (one-time) | Free + €14.99 Pro (lifetime) |
You shouldn't need a computer science degree to sort your JPEGs.
Hazel sees files. FolioSort reads EXIF: date, camera model, lens, ISO, GPS coordinates. It knows what your photos actually are, not just their file attributes.
No rules to write. Pick a template like {YYYY}/{Month}/{Camera}/ and click Start. What takes an hour to configure in Hazel takes seconds in FolioSort.
Hazel can't geocode. FolioSort turns GPS coordinates into folder names like "Paris" or "Tokyo" using Apple's built-in geocoder. Organize by location effortlessly.
7 naming patterns plus regex with capture groups — not generic file renaming. Live preview shows exactly what each file will be renamed to before you commit.
Reads EXIF from Canon CR3, Nikon NEF, Sony ARW, Blackmagic BRAW and more. Hazel can move RAW files around, but it has no idea what's inside them.
Checksum-verified transfers with XXHash64 or SHA-256, full undo for up to 50 operations, zero corrupted files. Your originals are never at risk.
How photographers replace Hazel with FolioSort
One folder template does what 10 Hazel rules would take an hour to configure. Pick {YYYY}/{Month}/{Camera}/ and you're done — no conditions, no actions, no testing.
Hazel watches folders but can't read EXIF. FolioSort reads metadata and sorts intelligently — by date taken, camera model, lens, or GPS location — not just file modification date.
Sort by camera model automatically — something Hazel simply can't do from file attributes. Wedding and event photographers use this to separate bodies in seconds.
Get the photo organizer that actually understands your media. Download FolioSort free.