Alternatives to Monarch
A keyboard-driven macOS launcher with a calculator, clipboard history, system controls and bookmarks. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Monarch
A keyboard-driven macOS launcher with a calculator, clipboard history, system controls and bookmarks.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Monarch.
Raycast
Fast macOS launcher replacing Spotlight with clipboard history and extensions.
Raycast adds an extension ecosystem and window management with clipboard history, supports more Macs, and puts some features behind paid plans.
Alfred
macOS productivity launcher with custom workflows, clipboard history, and snippets.
Alfred offers custom workflows, clipboard history and snippets, but those features require the paid Powerpack.
Sol
An open-source launcher and command palette for macOS, similar in approach to Raycast.
Sol is a free and open-source launcher and command palette for macOS with active development and a smaller extension ecosystem.
LaunchBar
A keyboard-driven macOS launcher for apps, documents, contacts, reminders, files and web searches.
LaunchBar indexes reminders, contacts and Safari data with clipboard history and a calculator, but it requires a paid licence.
Quicksilver
An open-source macOS launcher that opens apps and files and acts on them from the keyboard.
Quicksilver is an open-source macOS launcher that acts on files and apps with hundreds of plugins, though its workflow takes time to learn.
Gauntlet
An open-source, Raycast-inspired cross-platform application launcher with plugins written in React.
Gauntlet is an open-source Raycast-style launcher for macOS and Linux with React plugins and a smaller ecosystem.
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 GPL-3.0 native launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux with a plugin store, 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 an MIT-licensed launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux built on Electron, with unsigned macOS downloads.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
rcmd
A macOS app switcher that focuses or launches apps with the right Command key and a letter.
Manico
A macOS app for launching and switching applications with Option and number key shortcuts.
Script Kit
A cross-platform desktop app for writing and launching JavaScript and TypeScript scripts from a prompt.
Contexts
A Mac window switcher with fuzzy search, a sidebar, gestures and a replacement Command-Tab.
