Raycast suits people who want keyboard access to productivity tools and workflows.
Free plan Free trial From $96 a year iPhone & iPadWindowsMacBrowser extensionAPI
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Best App Launchers 2026
Facts read 1 Oct 2026 – 19 Oct 2026
Use app launchers to locate and start software on desktops and other deployment environments. This guide helps you compare platform support, pricing models, free access, open-source code and trial terms.
The standings: top 10
| Name | In a line | Record score | Price from | Try it free | Runs on | Facts read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Raycast | Raycast suits people who want keyboard access to productivity tools and workflows. | 8.5 | $96 a year | Free plan | iPhone & iPad, Windows, Mac, Browser extension | 14 Oct 2026 |
| 02 Launchy | Launchy suits users who want keyboard-driven access to programs, files, folders, and websites. | 8.3 | Free plan | Free plan | Android, Windows, Mac, Linux | 15 Oct 2026 |
| 03 PortableApps.com Platform | 7.8 | Free plan | Free plan | Windows, Mac, Linux | 14 Oct 2026 | |
| 04 Alfred | Alfred suits Mac users who want keyboard-driven app launching and file search, with Powerpack options for automation, clipboard history, and file actions. | 7.7 | £34 one-time | Free plan | iPhone & iPad, Mac, API | 14 Oct 2026 |
| 05 Dropzone | Dropzone suits Mac users who want drag-and-drop file actions, app launching, or cloud uploads. | 7.3 | Free plan | Free plan | Mac, API | 15 Oct 2026 |
| 06 Cerebro | Cerebro suits desktop users who want keyboard-driven access to files, applications and web search. | 7.1 | Free plan | Free plan | Windows, Mac, Linux | 11 Oct 2026 |
| 07 Ueli | Ueli suits people who want to find and launch items from a keyboard on Linux, macOS, or Windows. | 6.9 | Free plan | Free plan | Windows, Mac, Linux | 3 Oct 2026 |
| 08 bemenu | bemenu may suit Linux or macOS users looking for a configurable menu client and library, especially those able to build from source. | 6.7 | Free plan | Free plan | Mac, Linux | 10 Oct 2026 |
| 09 Rofi | 6.4 | Free plan | Free plan | Mac, Linux | 4 Oct 2026 | |
| 10 Appetizer | Appetizer suits Windows users who want a customizable dock for shortcuts and folders, including users organizing portable apps. | 6.4 | Free plan | Free plan | Windows, API, Self-hosted | 11 Oct 2026 |
The page uses its current list order without a published scoring basis. Use the maker-listed details to compare a launcher with your setup and budget.
02
Launchy
Launchy suits users who want keyboard-driven access to programs, files, folders, and websites.
AndroidWindowsMac+2 Record8.3 Visit
03
PortableApps.com Platform
WindowsMacLinux Record7.8 Visit
04
Alfred
Alfred suits Mac users who want keyboard-driven app launching and file search, with Powerpack options for automation, clipboard history, and file actions.
iPhone & iPadMacAPI Record7.7 Visit
05
Dropzone
Dropzone suits Mac users who want drag-and-drop file actions, app launching, or cloud uploads.
MacAPI Record7.3 Visit
6
Cerebro
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record7.1 Visit Cerebro suits desktop users who want keyboard-driven access to files, applications and web search.
7
Ueli
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record6.9 Visit Ueli suits people who want to find and launch items from a keyboard on Linux, macOS, or Windows.
8
bemenu
MacLinux Free plan Record6.7 Visit bemenu may suit Linux or macOS users looking for a configurable menu client and library, especially those able to build from source.
10
Appetizer
WindowsAPISelf-hosted Free plan Record6.4 Visit Appetizer suits Windows users who want a customizable dock for shortcuts and folders, including users organizing portable apps.
11
dmenu
MacLinuxSelf-hosted Free plan Record6.3 Visit dmenu may suit Linux users working in an X environment who want a menu for their own items or command launching.
12
Executor
WindowsSelf-hosted Free plan Record6.2 Visit Executor suits Windows users who want keyboard-driven launching, file search, and multi-step workflows.
13
foot
Linux Free plan Record6.1 Visit foot suits Linux users who want a configurable terminal emulator in a Wayland environment.
15
ADW Launcher
Android Free plan Record6.0 Visit ADW Launcher 2 suits Android users who want to customize their home screen and create or share widgets.
17
Flow Launcher
Windows Free plan Record5.5 Visit It suits Windows users wanting one keyboard-driven place for app, file, bookmark, command, and web searches.
19
Keypirinha
Windows Free plan Record5.2 Visit It suits Windows users who prefer keyboard-driven launching and want configurable utilities or plugins.
20
KISS Launcher
Android Free plan Record5.2 Visit It may suit Android users who want a search-led launcher with local preferences and history.
24
PowerToys Command Palette
Windows Free plan Record4.9 Visit It suits Windows users who want one customizable launcher for applications, searches, commands, settings, and extensions.
Before you choose
Match the platform
Check support for Windows, macOS or Linux before choosing a launcher. Some entries also run through APIs or self-hosting, and others target Android.
Choose a platform model that fits where you plan to run the launcher.
Check free access
Items on this list provide free plans, including Launchy, PortableApps.com Platform, Cerebro, Ueli, bemenu, Rofi, Appetizer, foot and Ulauncher.
Raycast, Alfred and Dropzone use freemium models and also offer free plans.
Look for open-source code
If you need to inspect or alter a launcher, see whether open-source code is available. bemenu identifies open source in its pricing note.
Check the item's licence before modifying or redistributing code.
Review trial terms
Trial lengths vary among freemium launchers: Raycast offers seven days, whereas Dropzone offers 14 days.
A free plan and a free trial are separate terms, so check both before selecting a paid upgrade.
Compare paid plans
Freemium launchers can add paid plans. Raycast lists paid access from $10 per month, while Alfred lists paid access from £34.
Free launchers in the list publish a free-plan or open-source pricing note instead.
Questions
What platforms support these app launchers?
The entries cover Windows, macOS, Linux, API, self-hosted and Android environments. Check the platform listed for the launcher you are considering.
Are any app launchers free to use?
Yes. Items in the category offer free plans. Launchy, PortableApps.com Platform, Cerebro, Ueli, Rofi and Ulauncher list free pricing.
Which app launchers list open-source code?
bemenu identifies open-source code in its pricing note. Before changing or redistributing code, review its licence.
Which launchers offer free trials?
Raycast offers a 7-day trial, and Dropzone offers a 14-day trial. Trial availability can differ from a free plan.
Do freemium launchers have paid plans?
Raycast lists paid access from $10 per month, while Alfred lists paid access from £34. Both also list free plans.
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