Shortcat AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Application Launchers

The best Application Launcher alternative to Shortcat is Fluent Search, which is free. If that doesn't work for you, our users have ranked more than 10 alternatives to Shortcat, but unfortunately only two of them are Application Launchers.

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Shortcat alternatives are mainly Keyboard Navigation Utilities but may also be Application Launchers or File Search Utilities.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Shortcat.
Shortcat iconShortcat
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Shortcat is a keyboard tool for Mac OS X that lets you "click" buttons and control your apps with a few keystrokes. Think of it as Spotlight for the user interface.

More about Shortcat
Shortcat alternatives page was last updated Feb 12, 2025
  1. Fluent Search icon
     40 likes

    Fluent Search is a fast and easy-to-use search application that lets you search for running applications, browser tabs, bookmarks, files, and more. Unlike Windows Start Menu, Fluent Search focuses on continuing existing work, it let you jump easily between running application...

    99 Fluent Search alternatives
    Search for browser tabs

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  File Search
    2.  Application Launchers
    3.  Custom search
    4.  Custom commands
    5.  Indexed search
    6.  Consistent UI
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Portable
    11.  Works Offline
    12.  No registration required
    Fluent Search iconShortcat Icon

    Fluent Search VS Shortcat

    Is Fluent Search a good alternative to Shortcat?
     
    Comments about Fluent Search as an Alternative to Shortcat
     
    Guest

    It's nothing like it. Shortcat lets you select GUI elements via the keyboard. It is not an app launcher/spotlight

    Negative commentFeb 12, 2025
    0
    Shortcat Icon
    Fluent Search icon
    • Fluent Search is the most popular Windows alternative to Shortcat.

    • Fluent Search is the most popular free alternative to Shortcat.

    • Fluent Search is Free and ProprietaryShortcat is also Free and Proprietary
    • Fluent Search is LightweightShortcat is not according to our users
  2. Homerow icon
     2 likes

    Spotlight for the macOS user interface. Navigate macOS with just the keyboard.

    15 Homerow alternatives
    1. Activate

The default shortcut is Command + Shift + Space.

Labels are generated for clickable UI elements.

    License model

    Platforms

    • Mac

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    Homerow iconShortcat Icon

    Homerow VS Shortcat

    Is Homerow a good alternative to Shortcat?
     
    Comments about Homerow as an Alternative to Shortcat
     
    c3p00

    Fast, simple and the developer is responsive.

    Positive commentJan 18, 2023
    0
    Shortcat Icon
    Homerow icon
    • Homerow is the most popular commercial alternative to Shortcat.

    • Homerow is Paid and ProprietaryShortcat is Free and Proprietary
    • Homerow is LightweightShortcat is not according to our users
2 of 2 Shortcat alternatives