AppBreakup
Submit an app

Raycast alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Raycast: AI features and sync are locked behind a subscription, and requires an account for sync and team features. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Raycast, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Alfred currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Alfred logoAlfredFree plan + paidNomacOS4 of 466.5
2LaunchBar logoLaunchBarFree plan + paidNomacOS4 of 462.6
3Microsoft PowerToys logoMicrosoft PowerToysOpen sourceYesWindows4 of 459.6
4Flow Launcher logoFlow LauncherOpen sourceYesWindows5 of 557.2
5Wox logoWoxOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 455.3
6KeKeyboard MaestroPaidNomacOS4 of 446.8
  1. Alfred logo

    1. AlfredTop pick

    Best for: Mac users who want a powerful, local launcher with workflows and no subscription

    Free plan + paidmacOS

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Raycast

    The long-standing Mac launcher, sold as a one-off Powerpack licence instead of a subscription.

    Pros

    • One-off Powerpack licence instead of a subscription
    • Visual workflow editor with thousands of community workflows
    • Fast, stable and keeps everything on your Mac

    Cons

    • Clipboard history and workflows need the paid Powerpack
    • Mac only
    • Major versions are paid upgrades unless you buy the lifetime licence
    Visit Alfred Compare with RaycastDetails 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 Alfred a good Raycast alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Powerpack price
    £34 (single licence)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026alfredapp.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Lifetime licence
    £59 with free lifetime upgrades
    Checked Oct 25, 2026alfredapp.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Clipboard history
    Powerpack feature
    Checked Oct 25, 2026alfredapp.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Developer
    Running with Crayons Ltd
    Checked Oct 25, 2026alfredapp.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. LaunchBar logo

    2. LaunchBar

    Best for: Mac users who want a deep keyboard file browser and launcher in one

    Free plan + paidmacOS

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Raycast

    An older Mac launcher with deep file browsing and scriptable actions, usable free with occasional pauses.

    Pros

    • Excellent keyboard-driven file browsing and file operations
    • Adaptive abbreviations that learn your habits
    • Custom actions in many scripting languages
    • Usable indefinitely without paying

    Cons

    • Smaller community and fewer ready-made actions than Alfred or Raycast
    • Mac only
    • Unregistered copies pause occasionally
    Visit LaunchBar 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 LaunchBar a good Raycast alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free use
    Unlimited, with occasional pauses
    Checked Oct 25, 2026obdev.at(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    30 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026obdev.at(opens source in a new tab)
    Custom actions
    AppleScript, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, PHP
    Checked Oct 25, 2026obdev.at(opens source in a new tab)
    Latest version
    6.24, runs on macOS Tahoe
    Checked Oct 25, 2026obdev.at(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Microsoft PowerToys logo

    3. Microsoft PowerToys

    Best for: Windows users who want a free launcher, window layouts and key remapping from one trusted install

    Open sourceWindows

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Raycast

    On Windows, PowerToys' free Command Palette covers app launching and quick commands.

    Pros

    • Free and open source, maintained by Microsoft
    • Bundles a launcher, window zones and key remapping
    • Each tool can be enabled separately
    • Frequent updates

    Cons

    • Windows only
    • Some modules are less capable than dedicated apps
    • Many settings pages to wade through
    Visit Microsoft PowerToys 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 Microsoft PowerToys a good Raycast alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026learn.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Launcher
    Command Palette
    Checked Oct 25, 2026learn.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Window manager
    FancyZones
    Checked Oct 25, 2026learn.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Flow Launcher logo

    4. Flow Launcher

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

    Open sourceWindows

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Raycast

    Free, open-source Windows launcher with a plugin store, no account or subscription.

    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 ×0.369
    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 Raycast 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)
  5. Wox logo

    5. 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 Raycast

    Open-source launcher that runs on Windows, macOS and Linux with plugins in Node.js or Python.

    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 Raycast 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)
  6. Ke

    6. Keyboard Maestro

    Best for: Mac users who want to automate repetitive work across many apps without coding

    PaidmacOS

    46.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Raycast

    For heavy automation on a Mac, macros go further than launcher extensions.

    Pros

    • Hundreds of actions and many trigger types
    • No subscription; one-time purchase
    • Active community forum with shared macros

    Cons

    • Interface feels dated and dense
    • Major upgrades cost extra
    • Accessibility permission issues can need manual fixing after macOS updates
    Visit Keyboard Maestro Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.334
    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 Keyboard Maestro a good Raycast alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    US$36 one-time
    Checked Oct 25, 2026keyboardmaestro.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Upgrade price
    US$25
    Checked Oct 25, 2026keyboardmaestro.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Actions
    Hundreds built in
    Checked Oct 25, 2026keyboardmaestro.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Current version
    11
    Checked Oct 25, 2026keyboardmaestro.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Raycast alternative for…

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

Alfred logo

Best Raycast alternative for most people

Alfred

The long-standing Mac launcher, sold as a one-off Powerpack licence instead of a subscription.

Microsoft PowerToys logo

Best Raycast alternative for a free option

Microsoft PowerToys

On Windows, PowerToys' free Command Palette covers app launching and quick commands.

LaunchBar logo

Best Raycast alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

LaunchBar

An older Mac launcher with deep file browsing and scriptable actions, usable free with occasional pauses.

Flow Launcher logo

Best Raycast alternative for open source

Flow Launcher

Free, open-source Windows launcher with a plugin store, no account or subscription.

Wox logo

Best Raycast alternative for Mac

Wox

Open-source launcher that runs on Windows, macOS and Linux with plugins in Node.js or Python.

Microsoft PowerToys logo

Best Raycast alternative for Windows

Microsoft PowerToys

On Windows, PowerToys' free Command Palette covers app launching and quick commands.

Wox logo

Best Raycast alternative for Linux

Wox

Open-source launcher that runs on Windows, macOS and Linux with plugins in Node.js or Python.

Raycast alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Raycast?

Alfred ranks first right now. The long-standing Mac launcher, sold as a one-off Powerpack licence instead of a subscription. LaunchBar and Microsoft PowerToys follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Raycast?

Yes. Alfred (free plan + paid), LaunchBar (free plan + paid), Microsoft PowerToys (open source) and Flow Launcher (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Raycast?

Yes: Microsoft PowerToys, Flow Launcher and Wox.

Which Raycast alternatives work on Linux?

Wox runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Raycast?

The complaints we hear most: 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.

How is this list ranked?

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