dmenu Alternatives for Linux

There are many alternatives to dmenu for Linux if you are looking for a replacement. The best Linux alternative is Vicinae, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to dmenu and many of them are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to dmenu are AppGrid for KDE, Ulauncher, Albert and Gnome Do.

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Alternatives
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Alternatives list

  1. Vicinae icon
     57 likes

    High-performance native launcher for Linux built with C++ and Qt delivers fast keyboard-driven system access, an efficient modular core, built-in modules, support for server-side React or TypeScript extensions, and reuse of Raycast extensions with minimal changes.

    72 Vicinae alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2025

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Mac
    • AppImage
    • Arch Linux
    • Gentoo
    • Fedora
    • Nix Package Manager
    • KDE Plasma
    • GNOME
    • COSMIC
    Good alternative?
     
  2. AppGrid for KDE icon
     23 likes

    A modern application launcher for KDE Plasma, inspired by macOS Launchpad, COSMIC, and Pantheon.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2026

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • KDE Plasma
    Good alternative?
     
  3. Ulauncher icon
     60 likes
    • Ulauncher provides instant search results. It also remembers your previous choices and automatically selects the best option for you.
    91 Ulauncher alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2017

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
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    1
  4. Albert icon
     70 likes

    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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2015

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Mac
    Good alternative?
     
  5. Gnome Do icon
     177 likes

    GNOME Do allows you to quickly search for many items present on your desktop or the web, and perform useful actions on those items.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2009

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  6. Rofi icon
     25 likes

    Rofi started as clone of simpleswitcher, written by Sean Pringle a popup window switcher roughly based on superswitcher. Simpleswitcher laid the foundations and therefor Sean Pringle deserves most of the credit for this tool.

    41 Rofi alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2016

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
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    2
  7. Walker icon
     6 likes

    Walker is a highly extendable application launcher that doesn't hold back on features and usability. Fast. Unclutters your brain. Improves your workflow.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2024

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  8. xlunch icon
     1 like

    Welcome! This is xlunch, the coolest graphical app launcher for Xorg/X11. It requires only pure Xlib and Imlib2. It allows you to run programs, commands, or simply select something out of a list using your mouse, keyboard, or both!

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2021

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  9.  2 likes

    This code provides the MenuStart plugin to nwg-panel. It also may be used standalone, however, with a little help from command line arguments.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2024

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  10. Rocket is an application launcher for KDE Plasma. It sorts all of your applications in a horizontal grid alphabetically, so you will always find what you are looking for at first glance. No more menu navigation, only scrolling.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2021

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • KDE
    Good alternative?
     
  11.  2 likes

    Dynamic menu library and client program inspired by dmenu.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2021

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
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