Alternatives to Executor
A keyword-based launcher for Windows that opens programs, files, websites and web searches. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Executor
A keyword-based launcher for Windows that opens programs, files, websites and web searches.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Executor.
Flow Launcher
Press a hotkey, type a few letters, and open an app, a file, a bookmark or a web search on Windows.
Flow Launcher is free and open source under MIT, uses the Everything index for instant file search, and has a community plugin store.
Fluent Search
A Windows search launcher for files, apps, browser tabs, open windows and on-screen elements.
Fluent Search is a free Windows launcher that also searches browser tabs, open windows and on-screen elements, with installer, portable and Store builds.
Keypirinha
A very fast keystroke launcher for Windows, entirely portable, with packages written in Python.
Keypirinha is a free, portable Windows launcher with Python packages that runs fast on old hardware, but it has had no release since November 2020.
Listary
Instant file search and app launching on Windows, with a search box that appears inside file dialogs as well as on its own.
Listary is a freemium Windows launcher focused on file search that also works inside Save As and Open dialogs, with some features in a paid Pro version.
Ueli
A keystroke launcher that works the same on Windows, macOS and Linux, which most launchers do not.
Ueli is a free MIT-licensed launcher that works the same on Windows, macOS and Linux, though its Electron base uses more memory.
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 a free GPL-3.0 native launcher that also runs on macOS and Linux, with plugins in Node.js, Python or scripts.
Cerebro
Launch applications and run searches from a keyboard-driven panel.
Cerebro is a free MIT-licensed cross-platform launcher extended through plugins that depend on third-party maintenance.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Executor as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
WinLaunch
An open-source Windows launcher that shows your apps in a full-screen grid like the macOS Launchpad.
Executor is a closed-source keyword launcher for Windows with custom keywords, clipboard history and skins instead of an icon grid.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Clavier+
A Windows keyboard shortcut manager that launches programs, types text and sends keystrokes.
Script Kit
A cross-platform desktop app for writing and launching JavaScript and TypeScript scripts from a prompt.
Kando
Circular pie menu that launches apps, runs scripts and fires keyboard shortcuts.
