Alternatives to Kupfer
A keyboard-driven, plugin-based launcher for Linux in the style of Quicksilver. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Kupfer
A keyboard-driven, plugin-based launcher for Linux in the style of Quicksilver.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Kupfer.
Albert
Extensible keyboard launcher for Linux and macOS inspired by Alfred.
Albert is a free, open-source C++/Qt launcher with a plugin architecture that also runs on macOS, though plugins need manual configuration.
Ulauncher
Fast, extensible application launcher built for Linux desktops.
Ulauncher is a free, open-source Linux launcher with a large community extension ecosystem, focused on launching rather than object-and-action workflows.
Quicksilver
An open-source macOS launcher that opens apps and files and acts on them from the keyboard.
Quicksilver is the open-source macOS launcher whose object and action workflow Kupfer follows, so switching means moving to macOS.
Vicinae
A native, extensible keyboard-driven launcher for Linux desktops, inspired by Raycast.
Vicinae is a native Raycast-inspired Linux launcher with extensions and very active development, but it is not open source.
Walker
A customizable GTK4 application launcher for Linux that also runs commands and does calculations.
Walker is a GTK4 Linux launcher that runs apps, commands and calculations from one prompt, with frequent development but no open-source license.
Onagre
A general-purpose application launcher for X11 and Wayland, built on pop-launcher and iced.
Onagre is an open-source launcher for X11 and Wayland extended through pop-launcher plugins, which must be installed separately.
Gauntlet
An open-source, Raycast-inspired cross-platform application launcher with plugins written in React.
Gauntlet is an open-source Raycast-style launcher for Linux and macOS with plugins written in React.
rofi
A keyboard-driven window switcher, application launcher and dmenu replacement for Linux desktops.
Rofi is a free MIT-licensed launcher, window switcher and dmenu replacement, scriptable and configured through text files.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Kupfer as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Search Light
A GNOME Shell extension that adds a macOS Spotlight-style search and launch popup.
Kupfer is a GPL plugin-based Linux launcher with a Quicksilver-style object-and-action workflow.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Anyrun
A Wayland-native runner in the style of KRunner, built around plugins and customization.
Cerebro
Launch applications and run searches from a keyboard-driven panel.
Ueli
A keystroke launcher that works the same on Windows, macOS and Linux, which most launchers do not.
Wox
A fully native keyboard launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux, with GPU rendering and a plugin system, as an open Raycast alternative.
