Spotlight Alternatives

Spotlight is described as 'The system-wide desktop search feature built into Apple's OS X operating system since version 10.4 (Tiger). Backed by an index of all items and files on the system, it's designed to allow the user to quickly locate a wide variety of items on the computer' and is a application launcher in the file management category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Spotlight for a variety of platforms, including Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone and iPad apps. The best Spotlight alternative is Everything, which is free. Other great apps like Spotlight are Flow Launcher, Alfred, Vicinae and Raycast.

Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
Spotlight alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Scherlokk icon
     6 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Performs high-speed file searches using a proprietary engine across built-in, portable, and network drives, including hidden and non-indexed files, supports detailed result filtering, provides file comparison, hex editing, autosave, advanced sorting, and multitasking.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once or Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
  2. HoudahSpot icon
     11 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Advanced File Search Utility for Mac OS X.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
  3. FileSeek icon
     24 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    FileSeek is an easy-to-use file search app that includes advanced functionality for power users! Search through files using simple queries or regular expressions. You can even sync your search settings between computers.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  4. Dropbox Dash icon
     3 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Meet Dash, your personal universal search tool. Search all your apps. All your tabs. All in one place.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Google Chrome
    • Firefox
     
    • Dropbox Dash is the most popular Web-based alternative to Spotlight.

    • Dropbox Dash is Free and ProprietarySpotlight is also Free and Proprietary
  5. Start icon
     1 like
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    With start, the innovative launcher for macOS, you can open applications, documents, shortcuts, URLs, and folders in an instant. Say goodbye to clutter - start brings order and efficiency to your workflow.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • MacPaw Setapp
     
  6. Lattix icon
     2 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Lattix is an advanced and fast resource launcher that lets you launch groups of apps, files, and websites in one click. It's built to boost your productivity and streamline your workflow.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
  7. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    The Spotlight Search Metadata on your Mac is a truly remarkable thing. Given some text it is able to find all occurrences anywhere on the filesystem in the blink of an eye. At that this point your options are limited however.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Spotlight
     
  8. XMenu icon
     5 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    XMenu adds one or more global menus to the right side of the menu bar. They give you access to your preferred applications, folders, documents, files, and snippets. Launch any application, or insert text snippets or URLs into your email messages or Pages documents with a single...

    79 XMenu alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
  9. Findr icon
     5 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    AI-powered search that works across apps. Get instant answers to all questions with references to your app sources.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
     
    • Findr is the most popular SaaS alternative to Spotlight.

    • Findr is Freemium and ProprietarySpotlight is Free and Proprietary
  10. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Search a comprehensive, centralized cache of all text found in your documents and other text-based files, including database and package files.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
    |
    1
    Comments about FoxTrot Professional Search as an Alternative to Spotlight
    jerome1
    Positive
    1

    Find the document you are searching for, locate the interesting pages inside the document, and highlight the found words in the document

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Spotlight Icon
    FoxTrot Professional Search icon
    • FoxTrot Professional Search is Paid and ProprietarySpotlight is Free and Proprietary
You are at page 4 of Spotlight alternatives