Spotlight Alternatives for Linux

Spotlight is not available for Linux but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on Linux with similar functionality. 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 Spotlight and many of them are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to Spotlight are DocFetcher, Ulauncher, ueli and Cerebro.

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Alternatives list

  1. Vicinae icon
     35 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.

    52 Vicinae alternatives

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
     
  2. DocFetcher icon
     129 likes

    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.

    128 DocFetcher alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
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    1
    DocFetcher vs Spotlight Comments
    Temak
    Negative
    0

    It is not an alternative to Spotlight or to KRunner.

    • DocFetcher is Free and Open SourceSpotlight is Free and Proprietary
    • DocFetcher is Privacy focusedSpotlight is not according to our users
  3. Ulauncher icon
     58 likes
    • Ulauncher provides instant search results. It also remembers your previous choices and automatically selects the best option for you.
    65 Ulauncher alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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    1
    Ulauncher vs Spotlight Comments
    ThunderFox
    Positive
    0

    It's a great alternative for Linux users

    • Ulauncher is Free and Open SourceSpotlight is Free and Proprietary
    • Ulauncher is Lightweight and Privacy focusedSpotlight is not according to our users
  4. ueli icon
     73 likes

    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...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
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    1
    ueli vs Spotlight Comments
    lonke
    Negative
    0

    As the words "Electron framework" would imply, it's a surprisingly large download at 100-150MB (install size may be larger still) and since it's essentially a web browser running in the background; it may not be a good choice for those short on disk space or trying to squeeze all the performance out of their system.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • ueli is Free and Open SourceSpotlight is Free and Proprietary
  5. Cerebro icon
     59 likes

    Cerebro is an open source and free electron-based productivity software alternative to Alfred and Spotlight. It is focused on speed and good UI and UX. In most cases you don't even need to open another application, because you can see results right in Cerebro, like google...

    64 Cerebro alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  6. 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.

    64 Albert alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Mac
     
  7. Clapgrep icon
     10 likes

    Ever had a folder full of PDF files, where you knew, somewhere in there, is what you're looking for. But you did not know in which file. So you had to search each of them at a time…

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
     
  8. KRunner icon
     17 likes

    Krunner is a multi-function command line menu for the KDE Plasma Desktop.

    91 KRunner alternatives

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    • KDE Plasma
     
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    1
    KRunner vs Spotlight Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Quite comfortable to use if you install KDE's Plasma.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • KRunner is Free and Open SourceSpotlight is Free and Proprietary
    • KRunner is Privacy focused and LightweightSpotlight is not according to our users
  9. 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.

    37 Rofi alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  10. LaunchMenu icon
     2 likes

    LaunchMenu is a free, open source, cross-platform search-based productivity software with similarities to Alfred and Cerebro. LaunchMenu focuses on customisability and extensibility , while also being easy to use through it's one slick interface.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
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    1
    LaunchMenu vs Spotlight Comments
    Temak
    Negative
    0

    Hasn't received updates since beta from 2021.

    • LaunchMenu is Free and Open SourceSpotlight is Free and Proprietary
  11. Unleash.so icon
     4 likes

    Your productivity level just sprouted wings. Find what you need easily, across your cloud services from one place. Formerly known as ChaseApp.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  12. Zazu icon
     15 likes

    Zazu is a new open source productivity app, that allows developers to be in the drivers seat. Unlike other solutions, there is no built-in integrations, so every plugin has the full scope of what Zazu has to offer.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
12 of 26 Spotlight alternatives