Alternatives to Keypirinha
A very fast keystroke launcher for Windows, entirely portable, with packages written in Python. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Keypirinha
A very fast keystroke launcher for Windows, entirely portable, with packages written in Python.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Keypirinha.
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 open source under MIT, with instant file search through the Everything index and an in-app plugin store, though its binaries are unsigned.
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 freemium and closed source, adding habit-ordered fuzzy results and a search box inside Open and Save As dialogs, with some features in Pro.
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, runs natively on Windows, macOS and Linux, and takes plugins in Node.js, Python or scripts through a store.
Ueli
A keystroke launcher that works the same on Windows, macOS and Linux, which most launchers do not.
Ueli is open source, actively developed and cross-platform, but it is built on Electron and uses more memory than a native launcher like Keypirinha.
Cerebro
Launch applications and run searches from a keyboard-driven panel.
Cerebro is MIT-licensed and cross-platform, extending actions with plugins, though their availability depends on third-party maintenance.
Fluent Search
A Windows search launcher for files, apps, browser tabs, open windows and on-screen elements.
Fluent Search is a free Windows launcher with installer, portable and Store builds that also searches browser tabs, windows and on-screen elements.
Executor
A keyword-based launcher for Windows that opens programs, files, websites and web searches.
Executor is a free Windows keyword launcher with multi-actions, clipboard history and skins, configured with extensive customization options.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Keypirinha 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.
Keypirinha is a fast portable keystroke launcher for Windows with Python packages, but it is closed source and unreleased since 2020.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Everything
A free Windows search tool from voidtools that finds files and folders by name instantly.
Kando
Circular pie menu that launches apps, runs scripts and fires keyboard shortcuts.
RocketDock
Classic lightweight application launcher dock for Windows with skins.
Script Kit
A cross-platform desktop app for writing and launching JavaScript and TypeScript scripts from a prompt.
