Spotlight AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Application Launchers

The best Application Launcher alternative to Spotlight is Flow Launcher, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Spotlight and loads of them are Application Launchers so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Application Launcher alternatives to Spotlight are Vicinae, Raycast, Alfred and Keypirinha.

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Spotlight alternatives are mainly Application Launchers, but if you're looking for File Search Utilities or Web Search Engines you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Linux, Windows, Mac and Linux + Open Source. 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.
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Alternatives list

  1. Flow Launcher icon
     101 likes

    Dedicated to make your workflow flow more seamlessly. Aimed at being more than an app launcher, it searches, integrates and expands on functionalities. Flow will continue to evolve, designed to be open and built with the community at heart.

    53 Flow Launcher alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Chocolatey
     
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    1
  2. Vicinae icon
     42 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.

    56 Vicinae alternatives

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
     
  3. Raycast icon
     74 likes

    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.

    86 Raycast alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
     
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    1
  4. Alfred icon
     305 likes

    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.

    145 Alfred alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
     
  5. Fluent Search icon
     47 likes

    Fluent Search is a fast and easy-to-use search application that lets you search for running applications, browser tabs, bookmarks, files, and more. Unlike Windows Start Menu, Fluent Search focuses on continuing existing work, it let you jump easily between running application...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  6. Ulauncher icon
     59 likes
    • Ulauncher provides instant search results. It also remembers your previous choices and automatically selects the best option for you.
    71 Ulauncher alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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    1
  7. ueli icon
     75 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...

    87 ueli alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
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    1
  8. Tuna icon
     10 likes

    Modern macOS launcher with native Swift implementation, offering Fuzzy, Leader, Text, and Talk modes, modal interface, extension support, no subscription required, free version with soft limits, and one-time unlock for full features for customizable workflow.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
  9. RustCast icon
     8 likes

    Open-source launcher offering blazing speed, customisable interface, app launching, web search, built-in calculator, clipboard history, no native AI, and native macOS support, with Linux and Windows compatibility planned for future releases.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
  10. 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.

    68 Albert alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Mac
     
  11. QuickFind icon
     12 likes

    QuickFind is a unified search tool providing instant access to files, apps, and web pages. It supports major search engines such as Google and Bing. Seamlessly switch between local and online content, and categorize searches into files, photos, music, and videos.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
12 of 53 Spotlight alternatives