A cross-platform launcher that simply works
Runs on macOS as well as Windows and Linux, with plugins in Python or Node.js.
alternatives to
Alfred
Keyboard launcher for macOS that opens apps, searches files and the web, and runs custom workflows. A closed product from Running with Crayons.
Side by side
| Tool | Fit | Stars | Licence | Terms | Self-hosted | Language | Latest | Last push |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wox | Full replacement | 27k | GPL-3.0 | Open source | No | Go | v2.4.6 | 2026-10-06 |
| Flow Launcher | Full replacement | 16k | MIT | Open source | No | C# | v2.1.4 | 2026-10-03 |
| Albert | Full replacement | 8k | Other | Source available | No | C++ | v35.1.0 | 2026-09-27 |
| Ulauncher | Full replacement | 4.5k | Other | Open source | No | Python | 5.16.2 | 2026-09-26 |
| PowerToys | Partial | 139k | MIT | Open source | No | C | v0.101.2362.0 | 2026-10-06 |
| rofi | Partial | 16k | Other | Open source | No | C | 2.0.0 | 2026-10-01 |
| Cerebro | Partial | 8.6k | MIT | Open source | No | JavaScript | v0.11.0 | 2026-09-30 |
| Walker | Partial | 3.1k | GPL-3.0 | Open source | No | Rust | v2.17.1 | 2026-09-25 |
Every alternative
8 alternatives
:mag: Quick file search & app launcher for Windows with community-made plugins
Runs on Windows rather than macOS, with plugins in the place of workflows.
A fast and flexible keyboard launcher
Plugins in C++ or Python. The licence forbids redistributing modified builds.
Feature rich application Launcher for Linux
Linux only, with extensions written in Python.
Microsoft PowerToys is a collection of utilities that supercharge productivity and customization on Windows
Windows only. The launcher is Command Palette, one module of a wider utility suite.
- Language
- C
- Licence
- MIT
- Stars
- 139k
- Latest
- v0.101.2362.0
- Last push
- 2026-10-06
Rofi: A window switcher, application launcher and dmenu replacement
Application launcher, window switcher and menu for X11 and Wayland on Linux, scripted through modes.
🔵 Cerebro is an open-source launcher to improve your productivity and efficiency
Cross-platform launcher with plugins for search, calculation and app control.
- Language
- JavaScript
- Licence
- MIT
- Stars
- 8.6k
- Latest
- v0.11.0
- Last push
- 2026-09-30
Multi-Purpose Launcher with a lot of features. Highly Customizable and fast.
Wayland launcher for Linux with app search, calculator, clipboard history and custom providers.
Head to head
- Albert vs Cerebro
- Albert vs Flow Launcher
- Albert vs PowerToys
- Albert vs rofi
- Albert vs Ulauncher
- Albert vs Walker
- Albert vs Wox
- Cerebro vs Flow Launcher
- Cerebro vs PowerToys
- Cerebro vs rofi
- Cerebro vs Ulauncher
- Cerebro vs Walker
- Cerebro vs Wox
- Flow Launcher vs PowerToys
- Flow Launcher vs rofi
- Flow Launcher vs Ulauncher
- Flow Launcher vs Walker
- Flow Launcher vs Wox
- PowerToys vs rofi
- PowerToys vs Ulauncher
- PowerToys vs Walker
- PowerToys vs Wox
- rofi vs Ulauncher
- rofi vs Walker
- rofi vs Wox
- Ulauncher vs Walker
- Ulauncher vs Wox
- Walker vs Wox
About Alfred
- Vendor
- Running with Crayons