
ueli
This is a keystroke launcher for Windows and macOS.
What is ueli?
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 popup messages or reminders like other applications.
Double-clicking the tray icon doesn't do anything. It would've been helpful if ueli displayed the shortcut that can be triggered for bringing up its search window, though, because this isn't obvious without reading the documentation on the developer's website. Press Alt+Spacebar to make searches
You can use Alt+Spacebar to access the ueli search bar, then type the full or partial name of any installed software product or Windows tool (like Windows Media Player or Windows PowerShell). ueli conducts the search operation instantly, creating a list of matches. Also, the hotkey is global, so it works no matter the environment you're currently working in.
Once you've set your eye on the program, all you have to do is launch it. Keep in mind that the mouse cannot be used for making this happen. Instead, you have to navigate the list with the arrow keys and hit Enter to access a program. Easy-to-use app launcher
There are no kind of configuration settings available for this app, and that includes changing the global hotkey for activating the search bar. ueli is simple and straightforward, offering a convenient solution for instantly locating and launching apps.
ueli Screenshots









ueli Features
ueli information
Supported Languages
- English
GitHub repository
- 2,906 Stars
- 201 Forks
- 338 Open Issues
- Updated
Comments and Reviews
Tags
- Web Search Engine
- Productivity Tool
Recent user activities on ueli
- YanlizDeveloper liked ueliYa
POX added ueli as alternative(s) to Verve
- dkshsat reviewed uelidkIt is a usable launcher that is faithful to the basics. Unfortunately, it does not support plugins. Users' request for plug-in support has been going on for three years. https://github.com/oliverschwendener/ueli/issues/96
As of this exact date, 2020-08-31, this is my current favorite launcher. Past history of favorites in chronological order: LaunchBar (when using macOS), Keypirinha (when starting using Windows), Wox, then Listary. Reason for switching over from Listary (which I liked a lot) is because of its current stale development. Also, who doesn't love free and open-source. Something that I was wary about when it comes to ueli was the use of Electron, but that doesn't seem to affect things badly.
Plus points for ueli that I love:
[Edited by hced, August 31]
What I believe to be the best free keystroke launcher for macOS. It's not as fully featured as Alfred (can create workflows, but not with the beautiful visuals), but it works well with quicker features than others such as quick web searching (i.e., !g BLANK when compared to Lacona's feature where you have to type in "search google BLANK)
It is a usable launcher that is faithful to the basics. Unfortunately, it does not support plugins. Users' request for plug-in support has been going on for three years. https://github.com/oliverschwendener/ueli/issues/96
Trying to start ueli on Mac Monterey gives an error "'ueli.app' cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified"
Too bad because it sounds like a great app.
I never got the hang of any of the other Spotlight alternatives. As my computer has both aged and become more complex, Spotlight struggles to do anything.
Having ueli for a narrow, more common range of tasks (launch apps, system preferences etc) and leaving Spotlight for times when I need to run some huge search has been an OK compromise.
Only problem with ueli is that sometimes it is indexing when you want to use it, in which case you have to wait til it's done. I just set indexing to occur pretty infrequently so I rarely encounter it anymore.
really, really fast but partially broken
Works great and it is free & open source, great alternative for Alfred on Mac OSX too.