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, Vicinae, Alfred and Raycast.

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Alternatives list

  2. Application Finder icon

    Application Finder

     2 likes

    The Application Finder is a program to find and launch installed applications on your system, and quickly execute commands.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Xfce
    Application Finder screenshot 1
     
  4. Salmon icon

    Salmon

     3 likes

    Salmon - Spotlight for Finder. Powerful search tool for files and folders with support for multiple selection. Powerful @modifiers to filter and sort.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Spotlight for finder
     
  5. Ad
  6. Advanced Recent Access icon

    Advanced Recent Access

     1 like

    Advanced Recent Access is designed to see more properties of your recent used resources (files and directories). Key features: can see more properties of the recent resources, such as path, size, type, date modified and date created. And more.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Advanced Recent Access screenshot 1
     
  7. Catapult Launcher icon

    Catapult Launcher

     3 likes

    Catapult allows you to easily launch apps, open files and do basic calculations with a keyboard-driven user interface. Custom plugins and themes can be loaded dynamically.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Catapult Launcher screenshot 1
     
  8. Folder Peek icon

    Folder Peek

     4 likes

    Folder Peek lets you put one or more folders in the menu bar.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Folder Peek screenshot 1
     
  10. Smartclip icon

    Smartclip

     3 likes

    Smartclip is a versatile tool designed to streamline workflows by offering quick access to various utilities through a user-friendly interface. Similar to popular application launchers like Apple's Spotlight, Celebro, and Albert, Smartclip goes beyond basic search functions...

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
    Smartclip with its 6 base plugins
     
  11. File Brain icon

    File Brain

     Like

    File Brain is a desktop application that helps you find files instantly using natural language. Instead of remembering exact filenames, you can ask questions like "flight ticket invoice", and File Brain uses semantic search to understand the meaning and show the...

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
    File search results view
     
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