AutoShelf vs Tabbles

AutoShelf organizes files in watched folders according to rules you create. Rules can match file type, source URL, downloading app, size, age, and filename, then move, copy, rename, tag, trash, archive, or optimize files. Dry runs show which files match and what actions are planned without changing files while the preview is active. Quick Action Zones let you drop files onto a zone assigned to one action, and you can create as many zones as you like. Five built-in templates cover Downloads, old DMGs, Desktop cleanup, sorting by source, and installers. AutoShelf can inspect document text to route invoices, receipts, and contracts or tag confidential content; for photos, it reads six EXIF fields including location and date taken. The macOS app requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later and supports Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. The Free plan allows one rule for one folder and its subfolders. Unlimited rules costs $19.99, paid once. The companion CLI requires the app, and the local MCP server supports clients including Claude Desktop, Codex, Cursor, and Windsurf.

Tabbles organizes files through tags that can be shared across local disks, network drives, and cloud-synced folders. It can tag any file type on any file system, storing tags in a database without changing file names or adding hidden files to disk. Rules can assign tags based on paths, names, content, types, or data-mining matches such as email addresses and social security numbers. Unified search covers file names, paths, tags, comments, and file content; comments on files, bookmarks, and emails are searchable too. Teams can share tags and manage users, groups, and granular permissions. Tabbles integrates with Windows Explorer context menus and overlay icons, and preserves tags when files are moved or renamed there. Other listed integrations include Outlook email tagging, a Chrome extension, a bookmarklet, and support for Google Drive, Dropbox, and SharePoint-synced folders. Plans include a free personal option and paid subscriptions, including team and hosted database options. Tabbles 6 is listed for Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11; LAN mode requires Microsoft SQL Server Express 2008 or newer, with Azure SQL support.