Apps similar to Direct Folders include Everything, which is free. Other options are Microsoft PowerToys, Flow Launcher, FSearch and Launchy. There's no shortage of Application Launchers like Direct Folders, with more than 100 alternatives for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone.
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.
Australia
Open-source utilities for Windows include FancyZones for window management, PowerRename for bulk renaming, and Keyboard Manager for custom shortcuts. Ad-free, supports multi-monitor setups, no registration needed, lightweight resource usage, and works offline.
United States
Dedicated to make your workflow flow more seamlessly. Aimed at being more than an app launcher, it searches, integrates and expands on functionalities. Flow will continue to evolve, designed to be open and built with the community at heart.
FSearch is a fast file search utility for GNU/Linux operating systems, inspired by Everything Search Engine. It's written in C and based on GTK+3.
Germany
EU
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...
United States
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.
United Kingdom
Wox is an open-source launcher for macOS, Linux, and Windows. It keeps local search, keyboard-first actions, and an extensible plugin system in one focused input.
China
Listary is a revolutionary search utility for Windows that makes finding your files and launching applications blazing fast, for casual and power users alike!.
China
DocFetcher is an Open Source desktop search application: It allows you to search the contents of files on your computer. — You can think of it as Google for your local files. The application runs on Windows, Linux and macOS, and is made available under the Eclipse Public License.
GermanyEU
A lightning fast and flexible keystroke launcher for Windows. No installation required (portable). Extensible with Python3 plugins.
FranceEU
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...
Switzerland
Modern macOS launcher with native Swift implementation, offering Fuzzy, Leader, Text, and Talk modes, modal interface, extension support, no subscription required, free version with soft limits, and one-time unlock for full features for customizable workflow.
DenmarkEU
