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Microsoft PowerToys alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Microsoft PowerToys: windows only, and some modules are less capable than dedicated apps. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Microsoft PowerToys, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Flow Launcher currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Flow Launcher logoFlow LauncherOpen sourceYesWindows5 of 566.5
2Raycast logoRaycastFree plan + paidNomacOS, Windows, iOS5 of 562.6
3Listary logoListaryFree plan + paidNoWindows5 of 559.6
4Wox logoWoxOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 455.3
5Ditto logoDittoOpen sourceYesWindows4 of 448.9
  1. Flow Launcher logo

    1. Flow LauncherTop pick

    Best for: Windows users who want an Alfred-style launcher that is free and extensible

    Open sourceWindows

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft PowerToys

    A dedicated Windows launcher with a bigger plugin store and Everything file search.

    Pros

    • Free and open source with no account
    • Fast file search through Everything or Windows Search
    • Plugin store with plugins in several languages
    • Portable and package-manager installs

    Cons

    • Windows only
    • Plugin quality varies
    • No built-in clipboard history or snippets
    Visit Flow Launcher Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Flow Launcher a good Microsoft PowerToys alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Price
    Free and open source
    Checked Oct 25, 2026flowlauncher.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows 10 and later
    Checked Oct 25, 2026flowlauncher.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Plugin languages
    C#, F#, Python, JavaScript, TypeScript
    Checked Oct 25, 2026flowlauncher.com(opens source in a new tab)
    File search
    Everything or Windows Search
    Checked Oct 25, 2026flowlauncher.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Raycast logo

    2. Raycast

    Best for: Mac or Windows users who want one launcher for apps, clipboard, snippets and windows

    Free plan + paidmacOS, Windows, iOS

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft PowerToys

    Now on Windows too, with clipboard history, snippets and a polished extension store.

    Pros

    • Free tier includes clipboard history, snippets and window management
    • Large extension store for popular work tools
    • Extensions are easy to write in TypeScript and React
    • Fast, polished interface with good defaults

    Cons

    • AI features and sync are locked behind a subscription
    • Requires an account for sync and team features
    • Windows version is newer and has fewer extensions
    Visit Raycast Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Raycast a good Microsoft PowerToys alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, for personal and work use
    Checked Oct 25, 2026raycast.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro price
    From $8/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026raycast.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Teams Pro price
    $12 per user/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026raycast.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    macOS, Windows, iOS and iPadOS
    Checked Oct 25, 2026raycast.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Student discount
    50% off Pro
    Checked Oct 25, 2026raycast.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Listary logo

    3. Listary

    Best for: Windows users who mostly want instant file search and faster open/save dialogs

    Free plan + paidWindows

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft PowerToys

    Focused on very fast file search and quick switching in open and save dialogs.

    Pros

    • Very fast file search ranked by your habits
    • Quick Switch speeds up open and save dialogs
    • Pro is a one-time purchase with lifetime updates

    Cons

    • Free version is for personal use only
    • Windows only
    • Few extensions compared with plugin-based launchers
    Visit Listary Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Listary a good Microsoft PowerToys alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Pro price
    $19.95 one-time
    Checked Oct 25, 2026listary.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Personal use only
    Checked Oct 25, 2026listary.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows only
    Checked Oct 25, 2026listary.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro devices
    Up to 3 computers
    Checked Oct 25, 2026listary.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Refunds
    Within 30 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026listary.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Wox logo

    4. Wox

    Best for: People who want the same free launcher on Windows, macOS and Linux

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft PowerToys

    Cross-platform launcher if you also want the same tool on macOS or Linux.

    Pros

    • Runs natively on Windows, macOS and Linux
    • Free and open source under GPL-3.0
    • Built-in clipboard history, notes and AI commands
    • Plugins in Node.js, Python or scripts

    Cons

    • v2 rewrite is young and still maturing
    • Smaller plugin library than Raycast or Alfred
    • Fewer ready-made integrations with popular work apps
    Visit Wox Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Wox a good Microsoft PowerToys alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Plugins
    Node.js, Python or scripts
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Memory use
    Around 150 MB
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Ditto logo

    5. Ditto

    Best for: Windows users who want a much bigger, searchable clipboard history for free

    Open sourceWindows

    48.9

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft PowerToys

    A dedicated clipboard history manager for Windows, which PowerToys lacks.

    Pros

    • Free and open source
    • Searchable history stored locally in SQLite
    • Encrypted clipboard sync between networked PCs

    Cons

    • Windows only
    • Interface looks dated
    • Network sync takes manual setup
    Visit Ditto Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.341
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Ditto a good Microsoft PowerToys alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Clipboard sync
    Between networked computers
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ditto-cp.sourceforge.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Encryption
    In transit over the network
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ditto-cp.sourceforge.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Storage
    SQLite database
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ditto-cp.sourceforge.io(opens source in a new tab)

The best Microsoft PowerToys alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Flow Launcher logo

Best Microsoft PowerToys alternative for most people

Flow Launcher

A dedicated Windows launcher with a bigger plugin store and Everything file search.

Wox logo

Best Microsoft PowerToys alternative for a free option

Wox

Cross-platform launcher if you also want the same tool on macOS or Linux.

Raycast logo

Best Microsoft PowerToys alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Raycast

Now on Windows too, with clipboard history, snippets and a polished extension store.

Ditto logo

Best Microsoft PowerToys alternative for open source

Ditto

A dedicated clipboard history manager for Windows, which PowerToys lacks.

Raycast logo

Best Microsoft PowerToys alternative for Mac

Raycast

Now on Windows too, with clipboard history, snippets and a polished extension store.

Listary logo

Best Microsoft PowerToys alternative for Windows

Listary

Focused on very fast file search and quick switching in open and save dialogs.

Wox logo

Best Microsoft PowerToys alternative for Linux

Wox

Cross-platform launcher if you also want the same tool on macOS or Linux.

Microsoft PowerToys alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Microsoft PowerToys?

Flow Launcher ranks first right now. A dedicated Windows launcher with a bigger plugin store and Everything file search. Raycast and Listary follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Microsoft PowerToys?

Yes. Flow Launcher (open source), Raycast (free plan + paid), Listary (free plan + paid) and Wox (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Microsoft PowerToys?

Yes: Flow Launcher, Wox and Ditto.

Which Microsoft PowerToys alternatives work on Linux?

Wox runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Microsoft PowerToys?

The complaints we hear most: windows only; some modules are less capable than dedicated apps; many settings pages to wade through.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Microsoft PowerToys, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.