Spotlight Alternatives for Mac

There are many alternatives to Spotlight for Mac if you are looking for a replacement. The best Mac alternative is Alfred, which is free. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Spotlight and many of them are available for Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Mac alternatives to Spotlight are Raycast, DocFetcher, Cling Fuzzy Finder and ueli.

filter to find the best alternatives

Spotlight alternatives are mainly File Search Utilities, but if you're looking for Application Launchers or Clipboard Managers you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Linux + File Search. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Spotlight.
Spotlight iconSpotlight
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Spotlight is 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...

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Spotlight alternatives page was last updated Mar 17, 2025
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  1. Alfred icon

    Alfred

     295 likes
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    Alfred is a productivity application for macOS, which boosts your efficiency with hotkeys, keywords and text expansion. Search your Mac and the web, and control your Mac using custom actions with the Powerpack.

    127 Alfred alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Alfred screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes
    2.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Application Launchers
    2.  Launcher
    3.  Workflow Automation
    4.  File Search
    5.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Full-Text Search
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Cloud Sync

    Alfred VS Spotlight

     

    • Most users think Alfred is a great Spotlight alternative.

    • Alfred is the most popular Mac, iPhone & iPad alternative to Spotlight.

    • Alfred is Freemium and ProprietarySpotlight is Free and Proprietary
  2. Raycast icon

    Raycast

     50 likes
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    Raycast revolutionizes Mac productivity with AI-driven task automation, command shortcuts, and customizable workflows. Create snippets, manage clipboard history, translate text, and maintain sync across devices. Discover day planning, distraction-free focus, and versatile virtual assistance.

    63 Raycast alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • Windows
    Raycast screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Application Launchers
    2.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    3.  Keyboard Shortcuts
    4.  File Search
    5.  Support for scripting
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  Built-in viewer
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  No registration required
    11.  No Tracking
    12.  AI-Powered

    Raycast VS Spotlight

     
    Comments about Raycast as an Alternative to Spotlight
    Florian Wendelborn
    Positive Sep 10, 2022
    0

    It’s much more predictable, powerful, fast, and beautiful than Spotlight. Raycast has a big focus on extensions and new ones are coming every day. If you have a little bit of programming experience, you can even develop your own extension very easily. Their documentation, tooling, and code examples are some of the best I’ve ever seen.

    Spotlight Icon
    Raycast icon
    • Raycast is Freemium and ProprietarySpotlight is Free and Proprietary
    • Raycast is Lightweight and Privacy focusedSpotlight is not according to our users
  4. DocFetcher icon

    DocFetcher

     125 likes
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    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 OS X, and is made available under the Eclipse Public License.

    125 DocFetcher alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Filter panel and preview panel enabled

    Top DocFetcher Features

    1.  Search-in-files
    2.  File content indexing
    3.  Indexed search
    4.  Full-Text Search
    5.  Content Searching
    6.  Portable
    7.  Built-in viewer
    8.  Shared Folders
    9.  Reads odt files
    10.  Network Scanner
    11.  Search in Archives

    DocFetcher VS Spotlight

     

    • Some users think DocFetcher is a great Spotlight alternative, some don't.

    • DocFetcher is the most popular Linux alternative to Spotlight.

    • DocFetcher is Free and Open SourceSpotlight is Free and Proprietary
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Raycast icon
    Raycast

    Raycast revolutionizes Mac productivity with AI-driven task automation, command shortcuts, and customizable workflows. Create snippets, manage clipboard history, translate text, and maintain sync across devices. Discover day plan...

    https://raycast.com
    Learn More
  6. Cling Fuzzy Finder icon

    Cling Fuzzy Finder

     9 likes
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    Instant fuzzy find any file, act on it in the same instant.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • International

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Cling Fuzzy Finder screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Distraction-free
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Lightweight
    4.  Minimalistic

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Works Offline
    3.  No Tracking
    4.  No registration required
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  Support for scripting
    7.  Support for Hotkeys
    8.  Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
    9.  Hidden files
    10.  Content Filtering
    11.  Fuzzy Finder
    12.  QuickLook File Preview

    Cling Fuzzy Finder VS Spotlight

     
  7. ueli icon

    ueli

     65 likes
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    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...

    78 ueli alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    ueli screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Application Launchers
    2.  File Search
    3.  Custom commands
    4.  Portable
    5.  Fast file and folder search
    6.  Launcher
    7.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions

    ueli VS Spotlight

     
    Comments about ueli as an Alternative to Spotlight
    lonke
    Negative Nov 4, 2023
    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.

    Spotlight Icon
    ueli icon
    • ueli is Free and Open SourceSpotlight is Free and Proprietary
  8. Cerebro icon

    Cerebro

     58 likes
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    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...

    57 Cerebro alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Cerebro screenshot 1

    Cerebro Features

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  Theme changing
    3.  Launcher
    4.  Electron based
    5.  Calculus solving
    6.  Multiplatform Export

    Cerebro VS Spotlight

     
  10. Quicksilver icon

    Quicksilver

     125 likes
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    Quicksilver is a fast and free macOS productivity application that gives you the power to control your Mac quickly and elegantly.

    90 Quicksilver alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Quicksilver screenshot 1

    Quicksilver Features

    1.  Quick search
    2.  Launcher

    Quicksilver VS Spotlight

     
    Comments about Quicksilver as an Alternative to Spotlight
    Guest
    Positive Jul 3, 2020
    0

    saves your recent/commonly used apps for quicker searches

    Spotlight Icon
    Quicksilver icon
    • Quicksilver is Free and Open SourceSpotlight is Free and Proprietary
  11. Leader Key icon

    Leader Key

     7 likes
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    This macOS tool leverages fighting game style key combinations to expedite app launches, execute commands, or even activate fun features like confetti, providing a faster alternative to launchers like Spotlight, Alfred, and Raycast. It supports customization and seamless integration with existing tools.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • DK flagDenmark
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Leader Key screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  No registration required
    2.  Works Offline
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  Support for Keyboard Shortcuts

    Leader Key VS Spotlight

     
  12. Monarch Launcher icon

    Monarch Launcher

     5 likes
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    Designed for beginners and professionals alike, Monarch is a command center that makes it easier than ever to switch apps, run calculations, search clipboard history, take notes and more with only a single hotkey. No complicated setup or configuration required.

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Monarch Launcher screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  No Tracking
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  No registration required
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Command palette

    Monarch Launcher VS Spotlight

     

    • Monarch Launcher is the most popular commercial alternative to Spotlight.

    • Monarch Launcher is Paid and ProprietarySpotlight is Free and Proprietary
    • Monarch Launcher is LightweightSpotlight is not according to our users
  13. FileMinutes icon

    FileMinutes

     3 likes
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    Work smarter with files on macOS with fast search, easy navigation, and integrated file actions all in one apps.

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    FileMinutes screenshot 1

    Top FileMinutes Features

    1.  No registration required
    2.  No Tracking
    3.  Live Preview
    4.  Works Offline
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  Built-in viewer
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Keyboard Browsing
    9.  Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
    10. Finder icon  Apple Finder Integration
    11.  QuickLook File Preview

    FileMinutes VS Spotlight

     
  14. SOL icon

    SOL

     5 likes
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    If you ever liked tools like Raycast and Alfred, but wanted to own them and tweak them yourself, then SOL is the tool for you. All the affordances of complex tools now made open source.

    57 SOL alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    SOL screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  Portable
    3.  Support for Gestures
    4.  Support for scripting
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Command palette
    8.  React
    9.  Spotlight
    10.  React Native
    11.  Launcher

    SOL VS Spotlight

     
  15. Desktop Docs icon

    Desktop Docs

     3 likes
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    Desktop Docs is the all-in-one platform to browse, edit, and export your media files.

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Desktop Docs screenshot 1

    Desktop Docs Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  No Tracking
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Built-in viewer
    5.  File Tagging
    6.  No registration required
    7.  AI-Powered
    8.  Local Search
    9.  Video search

    Desktop Docs VS Spotlight

     
12 of 48 Spotlight alternatives