Launchers that beat Spotlight

4 apps

How many steps does it take to open an app? Here are launchers from a single keystroke to a scriptable palette, some of which fold in clipboard history and calculation as well.

01 / Launchers that beat Spotlight

Raycast

A keyboard-driven launcher and productivity tool for macOS. A shortcut opens a search box where you can launch apps, find files, run calculations, manage the clipboard, control windows and reach third-party services through extensions. It gathers everyday actions behind one entry point, which suits people who prefer to stay on the keyboard instead of switching to the mouse.

Access & use

Free plan

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02 / Launchers that beat Spotlight

Ueli

A cross-platform keystroke launcher that opens a search panel on a hotkey to launch applications, find files and run commands, available on macOS, Windows and Linux.

Ueli
Access & use

Free

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03 / Launchers that beat Spotlight

Alfred

A macOS productivity toolkit that launches applications and searches for files from a hotkey, with keyword actions, text expansion and custom workflows for frequent tasks.

Alfred
Access & use

Free

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04 / Launchers that beat Spotlight

LaunchBar

A single keyboard shortcut opens an index of files, applications and actions for controlling the Mac, suited to people who work entirely from the keyboard.

LaunchBar
Access & use

Free

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