Google Desktop AlternativesFile Search Utilities and other similar apps like Google Desktop

Google Desktop is described as 'The power of Google on your desktop. Hit ctrl twice and you are ready for a full Google search of you hard drive and networked drives you may have. Indispensable if you need to find files quickly... the price doesn't hurt either!' and is a popular File Search utility in the network & admin category. There are more than 10 alternatives to Google Desktop for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone and iPad apps. The best Google Desktop alternative is Everything, which is free. Other great apps like Google Desktop are Alfred, Agent Ransack, Cerebro and Filezo.

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Alternatives list

  1. Everything icon

    Everything

     1236 likes
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    An administrative tool that finds files and folders by filename instantly, displaying all files on local or network drives. Supports filters, 19 languages, portable usage, lightweight resource consumption, no tracking, and dark mode.

    115 Everything alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Locate files and folders by name instantly.
     
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    15
    Comments about Everything as an Alternative to Google Desktop
    Guest
    Negative
    15

    "Everything" does not search in the files content, only in the files names. This is of course a major difference.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    3

    It doesn't search in the files content.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Google Desktop Icon
    Everything icon

    • Some users think Everything is a great Google Desktop alternative, some don't.

    • Everything is the most popular Windows alternative to Google Desktop.

    • Everything is the most popular free alternative to Google Desktop.

    • Everything is Free and ProprietaryGoogle Desktop is also Free and Proprietary
    • Everything is Lightweight and Privacy focusedGoogle Desktop is not according to our users
  2. Alfred icon

    Alfred

     302 likes
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    Alfred is a productivity application for macOS, which boosts your efficiency with hotkeys, keywords and text expansion. Search your Mac and the web, and control your Mac using custom actions with the Powerpack.

    131 Alfred alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Alfred screenshot 1
     

    • Alfred is the most popular Mac, iPhone & iPad alternative to Google Desktop.

    • Alfred is Freemium and ProprietaryGoogle Desktop is Free and Proprietary
    • Alfred is CustomizableGoogle Desktop is not according to our users
  4. Agent Ransack icon

    Agent Ransack

     110 likes
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    Agent Ransack is a tool for finding files and information on your hard drive fast and efficiently. When searching the contents of files Agent Ransack also displays the text found. Users can then quickly browse the results without having to separately open each file!

    77 Agent Ransack alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Search results, showing the contents view docked below the file list view:
     
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Copernic Desktop Search icon
    Copernic Desktop Search

    Indexes and quickly searches over 170 file types and emails, including attachments and multimedia files, on desktops, external and network drives, as well as cloud environments, offering sub-second results and a 75,000 file index...

    https://copernic.com
    Learn More
  6. Cerebro icon

    Cerebro

     59 likes
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    Cerebro is an open source and free electron-based productivity software alternative to Alfred and Spotlight. It is focused on speed and good UI and UX. In most cases you don't even need to open another application, because you can see results right in Cerebro, like google...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Cerebro screenshot 1
     

    • Cerebro is the most popular Linux alternative to Google Desktop.

    • Cerebro is the most popular Open Source alternative to Google Desktop.

    • Cerebro is Free and Open SourceGoogle Desktop is Free and Proprietary
  7. Filezo icon

    Filezo

     107 likes
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    Filezo (Formerly known as RecentX) is an innovative launcher that gives you instant access to your files, folders & programs. It automatically remembers your favorite & recent items so that you can launch them even faster.

    299 Filezo alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Filezo screenshot 1
     

    • Filezo is the most popular commercial alternative to Google Desktop.

    • Filezo is Paid and ProprietaryGoogle Desktop is Free and Proprietary
  8. Albert icon

    Albert

     70 likes
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    Albert is a C++/Qt based desktop agnostic keyboard launcher that helps you to accomplish your workflows in a breeze. Its goals are usability and beauty, performance and extensibility.

    62 Albert alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Mac
    chromium triggered
     
  10. Copernic Desktop Search icon

    Copernic Desktop Search

     36 likes
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    Indexes and quickly searches over 170 file types and emails, including attachments and multimedia files, on desktops, external and network drives, as well as cloud environments, offering sub-second results and a 75,000 file index size limit in the free version.

    83 Copernic Desktop Search alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Copernic Desktop Search screenshot 1
     
  11. Lookeen Desktop Search icon

    Lookeen Desktop Search

     84 likes
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    A fast and next-generation desktop search and productivity tool for standard and virtual desktops, for private and enterprise search requirements. Finds documents, outlook archives and e-mails, contacts, appointments, folders, etc.

    76 Lookeen Desktop Search alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Microsoft Office Outlook
    Lookeen Desktop Search screenshot 1
     
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  12. XSearch icon

    XSearch

     13 likes
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    XSearch is a free search tool that with more features that Windows Search didn't provided. It can search files on your computer in high speed. When searching for special words in files, you can specify the words option such as "Any of the words", "All of the...

    75 XSearch alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    XSearch screenshot 1
     
  13. SwiftSearch icon

    SwiftSearch

     21 likes
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    SwiftSearch is a lightweight program whose purpose is to help you quickly find the files you need on your Windows machine without ever requiring you to index your drives. Most search utilities that achieve similar speeds do so by indexing drives while the computer is idle, but...

    79 SwiftSearch alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    SwiftSearch screenshot 1
     
  15. FileSearchy icon

    FileSearchy

     37 likes
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    File search utility that provides instant search by file name, and powerful search by file contents, size and date. Supports search inside PDF, Microsoft Office and other documents. Highlights found text in file names and contents. Clean and intuitive multi-tabbed user interface.

    76 FileSearchy alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    FileSearchy screenshot 1
     
12 of 18 Google Desktop alternatives