Cardinal
Open-source instant file search app for macOS with Everything-style query syntax.
- Verified facts
- 5 of 5
- Alternatives ranked
- 3
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About Cardinal
Cardinal is a free, open-source file search app for the Mac that finds files by name almost instantly, in the spirit of Everything on Windows. It supports an Everything-compatible query syntax: spaces act as AND, wildcards filter by extension, size filters find large files, and you can limit a search to a folder, exclude terms, match Finder tags, use regular expressions or search inside file contents. A global shortcut brings up the window, and you can Quick Look results, reveal them in Finder or copy paths from the keyboard. The interface is translated into many languages. It is built with Rust and Tauri, licensed under MIT, and installed from Homebrew or GitHub releases. It is a young project, so it has fewer integrations than older Mac search tools.
Best for: Mac users who miss Everything from Windows and want instant filename search.
Pros and cons
What works
- Free and open source under the MIT licence
- Everything-compatible search syntax with size, tag and content filters
- Keyboard-driven, with Quick Look and reveal in Finder
- Install with a single Homebrew command
Why people leave
- Mac only
- Young project with no Mac App Store or Setapp release
- Fewer saved-search and metadata options than HoudahSpot
Top Cardinal alternatives
See all 3- 1EvEverything55.3
The Windows tool whose syntax Cardinal follows, for when you also search files on a PC.
- 2
Alfred54.4Mac launcher whose file search and actions cover quick lookups, if you also want app launching.
- 3
Raycast52.6Free Mac launcher with file search plus extensions, clipboard history and window management.
Why people left Cardinal
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
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Cardinal: common questions
Is Cardinal free?
Yes. Cardinal is free, open-source software.
Is Cardinal open source?
No, Cardinal is not open source.
What platforms does Cardinal run on?
Cardinal is available for macOS.
What are the best alternatives to Cardinal?
The highest-ranked Cardinal alternatives right now are Everything, Alfred and Raycast. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.