Alternatives to Sol
An open-source launcher and command palette for macOS, similar in approach to Raycast. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Sol
An open-source launcher and command palette for macOS, similar in approach to Raycast.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Sol.
Raycast
Fast macOS launcher replacing Spotlight with clipboard history and extensions.
Raycast is closed source freemium with a larger extension ecosystem and built-in clipboard history and window management, while some advanced features need a paid plan.
Alfred
macOS productivity launcher with custom workflows, clipboard history, and snippets.
Alfred is closed source freemium with custom workflows, clipboard history and snippets, which require the paid Powerpack.
Quicksilver
An open-source macOS launcher that opens apps and files and acts on them from the keyboard.
Quicksilver is also free and open source, acting on files and apps with hundreds of plugins, though its action-based workflow takes time to learn.
LaunchBar
A keyboard-driven macOS launcher for apps, documents, contacts, reminders, files and web searches.
LaunchBar is a paid, closed source launcher with abbreviation learning, file browsing, clipboard history and snippets, indexing reminders and contacts.
Monarch
A keyboard-driven macOS launcher with a calculator, clipboard history, system controls and bookmarks.
Monarch is free but closed source and pre-1.0, with a calculator, clipboard history and system controls, and no Intel Mac support yet.
Gauntlet
An open-source, Raycast-inspired cross-platform application launcher with plugins written in React.
Gauntlet is free and open source, a Raycast-inspired launcher for macOS and Linux whose plugins are written in React.
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 free and open source under GPL-3.0, runs natively on Windows, macOS and Linux with a plugin store, though its version 2 rewrite is young.
Albert
Extensible keyboard launcher for Linux and macOS inspired by Alfred.
Albert is free and open source, runs on macOS and Linux with a plugin architecture, but requires manual plugin configuration.
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.
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.
Thor
A macOS utility that opens or switches to a chosen application with a keyboard shortcut.
Vicinae
A native, extensible keyboard-driven launcher for Linux desktops, inspired by Raycast.
Witch
A macOS switcher that moves between individual windows and tabs, not just applications.
