Best App Launcher Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Raycast is ranked #1 of 40 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Alfred and Launchy. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Alfred. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Raycast at $8/mo.
Finding and opening apps is the core job of a launcher, though some options also support commands, file search, and workflows. Compare command launching and file search with the tasks you want to handle, and consider plugin support, workflow support, and shortcut limits as well. Raycast, Alfred, and Launchy are among the software included. Supported platforms help clarify where a launcher fits, while cloud sync may matter across devices. Check free-plan availability and paid-from pricing alongside the capabilities you expect to use, from a simple way to reach apps to a setup that also supports broader everyday tasks.
40 app launcher software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 Raycast iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.9$8/mo Supported platforms: cross-platformFile search: YesCommand launching: Yes
- 2 Alfred iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8Free Supported platforms: macosFile search: YesCommand launching: Yes
- 3 Launchy Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8Free Supported platforms: cross-platformFile search: YesCommand launching: Yes
- 4 ADW Launcher Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.6
- 5 KISS Launcher Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.6Free
- 6 Keypirinha No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Supported platforms: windowsFile search: YesCommand launching: Yes
- 7 Ueli No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Supported platforms: cross-platformFile search: YesCommand launching: Yes
- 8 Walker No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Supported platforms: linuxFile search: YesCommand launching: Yes
- 9 Winstep Nexus Dock No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2Free
- 10 Dropzone No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.1Free Supported platforms: macosCommand launching: Yes
- 11 Kupfer No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.7 Supported platforms: linuxFile search: YesCommand launching: Yes
- 12 Wox No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.6 Supported platforms: cross-platformFile search: YesCommand launching: Yes
- 13 foot No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.5 Supported platforms: linuxFile search: NoCommand launching: Yes
- 14 dmenu No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.4 Supported platforms: linuxFile search: NoCommand launching: Yes
- 15 bemenu No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Supported platforms: cross-platformFile search: NoCommand launching: Yes
- 16 Executor No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Supported platforms: windowsFile search: YesCommand launching: Yes
- 17 Flow Launcher No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Supported platforms: windowsFile search: YesCommand launching: Yes
- 18 GiMeSpace QuickMenu No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Supported platforms: windowsFile search: NoCommand launching: No
- 19 Keybreeze No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Supported platforms: windowsFile search: YesCommand launching: Yes
- 20 Little Snitch No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3€59/mo Supported platforms: macosFile search: YesCommand launching: Yes
- 21 Pinokio No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Supported platforms: cross-platformCommand launching: Yes
- 22 PowerToys Command Palette No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Supported platforms: windowsFile search: YesCommand launching: Yes
- 23 PStart No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Supported platforms: windowsFile search: YesCommand launching: Yes
- 24 Quicksilver No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Supported platforms: macosFile search: YesCommand launching: Yes
- 25 Rofi No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3Free Supported platforms: cross-platformFile search: NoCommand launching: Yes
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which app launcher software is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
Raycast is ranked #1 of 40 with a score of 7.9. Alfred is second and Launchy third.
How many of these have a free plan?
10 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Raycast has the lowest first paid tier we found: $8/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.