Alternatives
Best LaunchBar alternatives in 2026
LaunchBar is macOS launcher with clipboard history, snippets and quick web searches. These 9 alternatives come from the same rankings, ordered by editorial score. Connected products carry a small, disclosed lift.
Ranked alternatives
- 1
Raycast
Also runs on Windows. The most capable launcher here for people on both Mac and Windows, with an extension store and a free plan for personal and organizational use. AI and cloud sync sit behind the Pro plan.
Best for Mac and Windows users who want extensions and a free plan
macOSWindowsFree plan, paid upgrades
- 2
Alfred
A Mac launcher with hotkeys, keywords and text expansion, and an app search that learns which results you pick. Its workflows need the paid Powerpack, and it runs on macOS only.
Best for Mac users who want keyword workflows and fast app search
macOSFree plan, paid upgrades
- 3
Microsoft PowerToys
Is open source; also runs on Windows. Free, open-source and MIT licensed, with PowerToys Run as the launcher in Microsoft's utilities suite. It works on Windows only, and the launcher is one module among several tools.
Best for Windows users who want a free, vendor-backed launcher
WindowsFree and open sourceOpen source
- 4
Wox
Is open source; also runs on Windows, Linux. The only launcher in this list that runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, under GPL-3.0 with GPU rendering. Its main product reference is the GitHub README, and feature depth needs checking against your own workflow.
Best for Cross-platform users who want an open-source launcher
WindowsmacOSLinuxFree and open sourceOpen source
- 5
Flow Launcher
Is open source; also runs on Windows. A free, MIT-licensed Windows launcher that searches files through Everything or Windows Search, along with bookmarks, Windows settings and the web. Plugin quality varies because each plugin is community-made.
Best for Windows users who want an open-source launcher with plugins
WindowsFree and open sourceOpen source
- 6
Ulauncher
Is open source; also runs on Linux. The Linux launcher in this list, with fuzzy app search, a directory browser and extensions under GPL-3.0-or-later. It runs on Linux only, so it does not cover Mac or Windows.
Best for Linux desktop users who want fast app search
LinuxFree and open sourceOpen source
- 7
Ueli
Is open source; also runs on Windows. A free MIT-licensed keystroke launcher for Windows and macOS, installable from the Microsoft Store. Its README warns that its binaries are not signed, which can trigger warnings on both systems.
Best for Windows and macOS users who want an open-source launcher
WindowsmacOSFree and open sourceOpen source
- 8
Quicksilver
Is open source. A free, Apache-2.0 macOS launcher with keyboard and gesture triggers. Its site says it is free forever and actively maintained, but the maintenance claim comes from the project itself, and it runs only on the Mac.
Best for Mac users who want a free open-source launcher
macOSFree and open sourceOpen source
- 9
Keypirinha
Also runs on Windows. A freeware Windows launcher with no ads, no nag screen and no time limit, aimed at keyboard users. Its site describes a steep learning curve, and it does not describe the program as open source.
Best for Keyboard-first Windows users who accept a steeper setup
WindowsFree
Narrow the alternatives
Open-source alternatives to LaunchBar
LaunchBar alternatives for Linux
Compare LaunchBar head to head
- LaunchBarversus
Raycast - LaunchBarversus
Alfred - LaunchBarversus
Microsoft PowerToys - LaunchBarversus
Wox - LaunchBarversus
Flow Launcher - LaunchBarversus
Ulauncher
Or build your own comparison table with LaunchBar and up to three other products.
About LaunchBar alternatives
- What is the best alternative to LaunchBar?
- On listme.name the highest-scored alternative is Raycast, followed by Alfred. The right choice depends on price, platform and whether you need open source.
- Is there a free alternative to LaunchBar?
- Yes. Free options include Raycast, Alfred, Microsoft PowerToys.
Before you switch
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