Application Launchers

Are Windows desktop shortcuts not versatile enough? Is the Dock in macOS not functioning the way you want it to? That’s where the custom program launchers on this page come in. From Linux-based launchers such as Docky, to keystroke-based launches for Windows like Keypirinha, there are several program launching options for you regardless of what type of operating system you prefer.

Microsoft PowerToys
Free • Open Source
File Search Utility
Window Manager
Application Launcher
Windows
38 alternatives to Microsoft PowerToys
Microsoft PowerToys is a set of utilities for power users to tune and streamline their Windows experience for greater productivity.
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Microsoft PowerToys Features
1. Color PickerMicrosoft PowerToys allows you to select and copy a color property from an image, object, or shape.
2. Windows Explorer ExtensionMicrosoft PowerToys can extend Windows Explorer in various ways, for example add context menu options, etc..
3. Batch Rename FilesMicrosoft PowerToys supports renaming of different types of files or data in large batches.
4. Dark ModeMicrosoft PowerToys supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
5. OCRExtract the text from a screen capture or file and paste it into another document for edits.
6. LightweightMicrosoft PowerToys consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Tiling Window Manager
SVG Preview
On top
Snap windows
Snapping
Top 3 alternatives
PortableApps.com
Free • Open Source
Application Launcher
Windows
Linux
Online
BSD
PlayOnLinux (PlayOnMac)
Wine
32 alternatives to PortableApps.com
PortableApps.com is a website offering many free, commonly used Windows applications that have been specially packaged for portability. These portable applications can be used from removable media such as USB flash drives.
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PortableApps.com Features
1. PortablePortableApps.com can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
2. Ad-freePortableApps.com doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Auto Update
Software Management
Launcher
Auto-installer
Update Notifier
Top 3 alternatives
Keypirinha
Free • Proprietary
Application Launcher
File Search Utility
Web Search Engine
Windows
153 alternatives to Keypirinha
A lightning fast and flexible keystroke launcher for Windows. No installation required (portable). Extensible with Python3 plugins.
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Keypirinha Features
1. LightweightKeypirinha consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. PortableKeypirinha can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
3. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsKeypirinha can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
4. Ad-freeKeypirinha doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
5. Works OfflineKeypirinha can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
6. Dark ModeKeypirinha supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
7. Support for scriptingKeypirinha supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
8. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of Keypirinha.
Customizable
Launcher
Configurable
Calculus solving
Top 3 alternatives
Listary
Freemium • Proprietary
File Search Utility
Application Launcher
Web Search Engine
Windows
PortableApps.com
Windows Explorer
103 alternatives to Listary
Listary is a revolutionary search utility for Windows that makes finding your files and launching applications blazing fast, for casual and power users alike!.
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Listary Features
1. Windows Explorer ExtensionListary can extend Windows Explorer in various ways, for example add context menu options, etc..
2. PortableListary can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Fast file and folder search
Integrated Search
Customizable
Quick Switch
Content Searching
Fuzzy Finder
Export to Excel
Top 3 alternatives
Alfred
Freemium • Proprietary
Application Launcher
File Search Utility
Clipboard Manager
Mac
iPhone
iPad
99 alternatives to Alfred
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.
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Alfred Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsAlfred can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
2. Dark ModeAlfred supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
3. Full-Text SearchAlfred lets you search for specific words or phrases from inside a document or database.
Launcher
Customizable
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Wox
Free • Open Source
Application Launcher
File Search Utility
Web Search Engine
Windows
47 alternatives to Wox
Wox is a full-featured plugin-powered launcher that supports file and web searching.
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Wox Features
Integrated Search
Discontinued
No stables releases since Feb 24, 2018.No pre-releases since May 25, 2020.2 years without any public development and 4 years without any releases is essentially discontinued, IMHO.
Top 3 alternatives
Nova Launcher
Freemium • Proprietary
Application Launcher
Android
Android Tablet
69 alternatives to Nova Launcher
Nova Launcher is an highly customizable, performance driven, home screen replacement for Android 4.0+
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Nova Launcher Features
1. Ad-freeNova Launcher doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. Dark ModeNova Launcher supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
Customizable
Swipe dock
Launcher
Home Screen
Material design
Top 3 alternatives
Station
Free • Open Source
Application Launcher
Instant Messenger
Mac
Windows
Linux
Microsoft Edge
Google Chrome
Brave
26 alternatives to Station
Station is the first open-source smart browser for busy people. A single place for all of your web applications.
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Station Features
1. Ad-freeStation doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
App integration
Integrated Search
Slack client
Open API
Knowledge Management
Live Push Notifications
Team Messaging
Top 3 alternatives
Launchy
Free • Open Source
Application Launcher
File Search Utility
Mac
Windows
Linux
121 alternatives to Launchy
Launchy is a free Windows and Linux utility designed to help you forget about your start menu, the icons on your desktop, and even your file manager. Launchy indexes the programs in your start menu and can launch your documents, project files, folders, and bookmarks with just a...
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Launchy Features
1. PortableLaunchy can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
2. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsLaunchy can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
Indexed search
Customizable
Skinnable
Relative Paths
Discontinued
The project seems to be no longer maintained: last stable version, 2.5, and beta version, 2.6 beta2, were released in 2010. The program works anyway and can be still downloaded from the official website.
Top 3 alternatives
ueli
Free • Open Source
Application Launcher
File Search Utility
Web Search Engine
Mac
Windows
73 alternatives to ueli
Developed with the Electron framework, ueli is the type of tool that adopts simplicity, leaving out any unnecessary options and configuration settings. It creates an icon in the system tray at startup, where it sits silently throughout its runtime, without disturbing you with...
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ueli Features
1. Portableueli can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
2. Extensible by Plugins/Extensionsueli can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
Custom commands
Fast file and folder search
Launcher
Top 3 alternatives
Rambox
Freemium • Proprietary
Instant Messenger
Application Launcher
Mac
Windows
Linux
38 alternatives to Rambox
Free and Cross Platform messaging and emailing app that combines common web applications into one.
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Rambox Features
1. PortableRambox can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
2. Multiple Account supportRambox support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
Web application wrapper
Instagram integration
Support for Multiple protocols
Skype integration
Multi-messenger
Active discord support system
Configurable
Built-in themes
Publish on LinkedIn
Telegram
Top 3 alternatives
Albert
Free • Open Source
Application Launcher
File Search Utility
Web Search Engine
Linux
Debian
Xfce
41 alternatives to Albert
Access everything with virtually zero effort. Run applications, open files or their paths, open bookmarks in your browser, search the web, calculate things and a lot more. See wiki for more information.
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Albert Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsAlbert can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
2. LightweightAlbert consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Firefox bookmarks
Search Bar
Launcher
Customizable
QT Based
Top 3 alternatives
FastKeys
Freemium • Proprietary
Text Expander
Clipboard Manager
Application Launcher
Windows
120 alternatives to FastKeys
All in one Windows automation software. Fully configurable text expander, start menu, shortcuts, auto complete and mouse gestures. User-defined commands to run files, open webpages, send macros or automate anything. Incredibly powerful but yet simple to use.
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FastKeys Features
1. AutocompletionFastKeys can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
2. PortableFastKeys can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Mouse Gestures
Autohotkey
Run Windows software
Exe Compiler
Launcher
Macro Recording
Support for Hotkeys
Top 3 alternatives
Lawnchair
Free • Open Source
Application Launcher
Android
F-Droid
73 alternatives to Lawnchair
Lawnchair is a free, open-source home app for Android. Taking Launcher3 — Android’s default home app — as a starting point, it ports Pixel Launcher features and introduces rich options for customization.
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Lawnchair Features
1. Dark ModeLawnchair supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
2. Privacy focusedLawnchair is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Ad-freeLawnchair doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. LightweightLawnchair consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Customizable
App listing
Integrated Search
Home Screen
Launcher
No Root Required
Top 3 alternatives
RocketDock
Free • Proprietary
Application Launcher
Desktop Customization Tool
Windows
64 alternatives to RocketDock
RocketDock is a Mac OS X dock clone. It provides a nice clean interface to drop shortcuts on for easy access and organization. With each item completely customizable there is no end to what you can add and launch from the dock.
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RocketDock Features
Dock
Launcher
Discontinued
The program is no longer updated, but last version, 1.3.5, released in September 2008, can be still downloaded from the official website. "It is true, RocketDock has been discontinued. [...] The app remains available on https://rocketdock.com, but is unsupported."
Top 3 alternatives

Microsoft PowerToys Features

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PortableApps.com Features

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Keypirinha Features

Top 3 alternatives

Listary Features

Top 3 alternatives

Alfred Features

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Wox Features

Top 3 alternatives

Nova Launcher Features

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Station Features

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Launchy Features

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ueli Features

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Rambox Features

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Albert Features

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FastKeys Features

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Lawnchair Features

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RocketDock Features

Top 3 alternatives