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 Station, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Spotlight and 14 are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to Spotlight are DocFetcher, Albert, Ulauncher and Cerebro.

Spotlight alternatives are mainly File Search Utilities but may also be Application Launchers or Web Search Engines. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Spotlight.

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Linux + File Search

Spotlight

Free • Proprietary
File Search Utility

Spotlight is the system-wide desktop search feature built into Apple's OS X operating system since version 10.4...

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Spotlight alternatives page was last updated

Station
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Application Launcher
Tab Manager
Instant Messenger
Mac
Windows
Linux
Microsoft Edge
Google Chrome
Brave
29 Station alternatives
Station is the first open-source smart browser for busy people. A single place for all of your web applications.
- - Station is the most popular Linux alternative to Spotlight.
- - Station is the most popular Open Source alternative to Spotlight.
Suggest and vote on features
Station Features
1. Ad-freeStation doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
App integration
Slack client
Integrated Search
Knowledge Management
Open API
Live Push Notifications
Team Messaging
DocFetcher
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Search Utility
Mac
Windows
Linux
110 DocFetcher alternatives
DocFetcher is a portable German/English open source desktop search application. It allows you search the contents of documents on your computer. - You can think of it as Google for your local document repository.
Suggest and vote on features
DocFetcher Features
1. Full-Text SearchDocFetcher lets you search for specific words or phrases from inside a document or database.
2. PortableDocFetcher can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
3. Built-in viewerDocFetcher shows you a quick preview of an image, page or file in supported formats.
4. Shared FoldersDocFetcher supports shared folders that can be used to store, search, and access files with multiple people.
Search-in-files
File content indexing
Indexed search
Content Searching
Reads odt files
Network Scanner
Search in Archives
Opinions about DocFetcher as a Alternative to Spotlight
Most users think DocFetcher is a great Spotlight alternative.
Albert
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Application Launcher
File Search Utility
Web Search Engine
Linux
42 Albert alternatives
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.
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Albert Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsAlbert can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
2. Ad-freeAlbert doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. No Coding RequiredAlbert can be used without an coding or programming skills.
4. Command line interfaceAlbert either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
5. AutocompletionAlbert can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
6. Works OfflineAlbert can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
7. Currency ConversionAlbert lets you convert different currencies based on the latest exchange rates.
8. LightweightAlbert consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
9. No TrackingAlbert will not track you or use your personal data.
Firefox bookmarks
Search Bar
Launcher
No registration required
Dark Mode
Support for scripting
Support for Themes
Customizable
QT Based
Opinions about Albert as a Alternative to Spotlight
Most users think Albert is a great Spotlight alternative.
Ulauncher
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Application Launcher
File Search Utility
Linux
44 Ulauncher alternatives
- Ulauncher provides instant search results. It also remembers your previous choices and automatically selects the best option for you.
Suggest and vote on features
Ulauncher Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsUlauncher can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
Integrated Search
Launcher
Legacy addons support
Smooth
Comments about Ulauncher as a Alternative to Spotlight
pros, cons and recent comments
It's a great alternative for Linux users
Positive comment •
0
Cerebro
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Mac
Windows
Linux
42 Cerebro alternatives
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...
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Cerebro Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsCerebro can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
Theme changing
Multiplatform Export
Launcher
Calculus solving
Electron based
Opinions about Cerebro as a Alternative to Spotlight
Most users think Cerebro is a great Spotlight alternative.
Rofi
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Application Launcher
File Search Utility
Linux
18 Rofi alternatives
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.
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Rofi Features
Window Switching
Catapult Launcher
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Application Launcher
Linux
13 Catapult Launcher alternatives
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.
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Catapult Launcher Features
1. LightweightCatapult Launcher consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Dark ModeCatapult Launcher supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
3. Ad-freeCatapult Launcher doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Launcher
Unleash.so
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Application Launcher
File Search Utility
Mac
Windows
Linux
42 Unleash.so alternatives
Unleash.so brings all the scattered pieces of data from your cloud and computer right to you. You can search across your workspace, launch web pages and take quick actions from one search bar, such as: RSVP events, start AWS instances and more.
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Unleash.so Features
In-app File Search
Krunner
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Application Launcher
File Search Utility
Linux
BSD
74 Krunner alternatives
KRunner is the launcher built into the Plasma desktop.
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Krunner Features
Launcher
Comments about Krunner as a Alternative to Spotlight
pros, cons and recent comments
Quite comfortable to use if you install KDE's Plasma.
Positive comment •
0
Zazu
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Mac
Windows
Linux
33 Zazu alternatives
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.
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Zazu Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsZazu can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
Launcher
Electron based
Discontinued
Repo archived by authors. No updates or releases, and no recent commits. Based on obsolete versions of underlying tools/platform.
Application Finder
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Application Launcher
Linux
Xfce
36 Application Finder alternatives
The Application Finder is a program to find and launch installed applications on your system, and quickly execute commands.
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Application Finder Features
Dashboard
TextSeek
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
File Search Utility
Mac
Windows
Linux
94 TextSeek alternatives
TextSeek is a professional full-text desktop search tool. Unlike the filename search tool like Everything and Listary, TextSeek can search filename and file content easily and quickly. It supports PDF, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, RTF and other formats.
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TextSeek Features
1. PortableTextSeek can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
2. No TrackingTextSeek will not track you or use your personal data.
3. Privacy focusedTextSeek is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
4. Ad-freeTextSeek doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
5. Full-Text SearchTextSeek lets you search for specific words or phrases from inside a document or database.
6. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in TextSeek without registration.
7. LightweightTextSeek consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
In-document search