Alternatives to Albert
Extensible keyboard launcher for Linux and macOS inspired by Alfred. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Albert
Extensible keyboard launcher for Linux and macOS inspired by Alfred.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Albert.
Ulauncher
Fast, extensible application launcher built for Linux desktops.
Ulauncher is also free and open source with a large extension ecosystem, but it runs only on Linux, so macOS users would lose support.
Wox
A fully native keyboard launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux, with GPU rendering and a plugin system, as an open Raycast alternative.
Wox is open source under GPL-3.0 and native on Windows, macOS and Linux, with plugins in Node.js or Python, though its version 2 rewrite is young.
Ueli
A keystroke launcher that works the same on Windows, macOS and Linux, which most launchers do not.
Ueli is MIT-licensed and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, but it is built on Electron, uses more memory and has fewer plugins.
Cerebro
Launch applications and run searches from a keyboard-driven panel.
Cerebro is MIT-licensed and cross-platform across Windows, macOS and Linux, with plugins whose availability depends on third-party maintenance.
Raycast
Fast macOS launcher replacing Spotlight with clipboard history and extensions.
Raycast is macOS only and closed source, adding built-in clipboard history, window management and an extension ecosystem, with some features on a paid plan.
Alfred
macOS productivity launcher with custom workflows, clipboard history, and snippets.
Alfred is the macOS launcher that inspired Albert, closed source and freemium, with workflows and clipboard history requiring the paid Powerpack.
rofi
A keyboard-driven window switcher, application launcher and dmenu replacement for Linux desktops.
Rofi is a free MIT-licensed Linux launcher that also works as a window switcher and dmenu replacement, configured and themed through text files.
Kupfer
A keyboard-driven, plugin-based launcher for Linux in the style of Quicksilver.
Kupfer is a free GPL Linux launcher with a Quicksilver-style object-and-action workflow and plugins, but it has no macOS support and slower development.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Albert as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Anyrun
A Wayland-native runner in the style of KRunner, built around plugins and customization.
Albert is a free, open-source C++/Qt launcher with a plugin architecture that also runs on macOS, though plugins need manual configuration.
Gauntlet
An open-source, Raycast-inspired cross-platform application launcher with plugins written in React.
Albert is a lightweight C++/Qt launcher for Linux and macOS with a plugin architecture, though plugins need manual configuration.
LaunchBar
A keyboard-driven macOS launcher for apps, documents, contacts, reminders, files and web searches.
Albert is a free, open-source C++/Qt launcher for macOS and Linux with a plugin architecture that requires manual configuration.
Onagre
A general-purpose application launcher for X11 and Wayland, built on pop-launcher and iced.
Albert is an Alfred-inspired C++/Qt launcher for Linux and macOS with plugins that need manual configuration.
Quicksilver
An open-source macOS launcher that opens apps and files and acts on them from the keyboard.
Albert is free and open source, runs on macOS and Linux with a plugin architecture in C++/Qt, but needs manual plugin configuration.
Search Light
A GNOME Shell extension that adds a macOS Spotlight-style search and launch popup.
Albert is a C++/Qt keyboard launcher with plugins that also runs on macOS and works outside GNOME Shell.
Sol
An open-source launcher and command palette for macOS, similar in approach to Raycast.
Albert is free and open source, runs on macOS and Linux with a plugin architecture, but requires manual plugin configuration.
Vicinae
A native, extensible keyboard-driven launcher for Linux desktops, inspired by Raycast.
Albert is an open-source C++/Qt launcher for Linux and macOS inspired by Alfred, extended through plugins that need manual configuration.
Walker
A customizable GTK4 application launcher for Linux that also runs commands and does calculations.
Albert is an open-source C++/Qt keyboard launcher for Linux and macOS with a plugin architecture that needs manual configuration.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Kando
Circular pie menu that launches apps, runs scripts and fires keyboard shortcuts.
Flow Launcher
Press a hotkey, type a few letters, and open an app, a file, a bookmark or a web search on Windows.
Listary
Instant file search and app launching on Windows, with a search box that appears inside file dialogs as well as on its own.
Script Kit
A cross-platform desktop app for writing and launching JavaScript and TypeScript scripts from a prompt.
