Alternatives to Ueli
A keystroke launcher that works the same on Windows, macOS and Linux, which most launchers do not. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Ueli
A keystroke launcher that works the same on Windows, macOS and Linux, which most launchers do not.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Ueli.
Wox
A fully native keyboard launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux, with GPU rendering and a plugin system, as an open Raycast alternative.
Wox also covers Windows, macOS and Linux for free, but is fully native with GPU rendering instead of Electron and uses GPL-3.0 rather than MIT.
Cerebro
Launch applications and run searches from a keyboard-driven panel.
Cerebro is another free, MIT-licensed keyboard launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux, with plugins whose availability depends on third-party maintenance.
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 Windows only, but uses the Everything index for instant file search and has a large community plugin library with an in-app store.
Raycast
Fast macOS launcher replacing Spotlight with clipboard history and extensions.
Raycast is macOS only and freemium with a larger extension ecosystem and built-in clipboard history and window management, while some features require a paid plan.
Alfred
macOS productivity launcher with custom workflows, clipboard history, and snippets.
Alfred is macOS only and closed source, adding custom workflows, clipboard history and snippets, though those need the paid Powerpack.
Albert
Extensible keyboard launcher for Linux and macOS inspired by Alfred.
Albert is a lightweight native C++/Qt launcher for Linux and macOS only, with no Windows support and plugins that need manual configuration.
Ulauncher
Fast, extensible application launcher built for Linux desktops.
Ulauncher is free and open source but runs only on Linux, offering a large community extension ecosystem and a fast keyboard-focused interface.
Keypirinha
A very fast keystroke launcher for Windows, entirely portable, with packages written in Python.
Keypirinha is a fast, portable Windows-only launcher with Python packages, but it is closed source and has had no release since November 2020.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Ueli as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Executor
A keyword-based launcher for Windows that opens programs, files, websites and web searches.
Ueli is a free MIT-licensed launcher that works the same on Windows, macOS and Linux, though its Electron base uses more memory.
Fluent Search
A Windows search launcher for files, apps, browser tabs, open windows and on-screen elements.
Ueli is a free MIT-licensed launcher on Windows, macOS and Linux, built on Electron with fewer plugins than platform-specific launchers.
Gauntlet
An open-source, Raycast-inspired cross-platform application launcher with plugins written in React.
Ueli adds Windows support alongside macOS and Linux under the MIT license, but it is Electron-based and has fewer plugins.
Kupfer
A keyboard-driven, plugin-based launcher for Linux in the style of Quicksilver.
Ueli is a free MIT-licensed cross-platform launcher with extra actions per result, built on Electron with fewer plugins.
LaunchBar
A keyboard-driven macOS launcher for apps, documents, contacts, reminders, files and web searches.
Ueli is a free MIT-licensed launcher on Windows, macOS and Linux, but its macOS download is unsigned and it runs on Electron.
Listary
Instant file search and app launching on Windows, with a search box that appears inside file dialogs as well as on its own.
Ueli is free under MIT and works on Windows, macOS and Linux, with extra actions per result, though it runs on Electron and uses more memory.
Monarch
A keyboard-driven macOS launcher with a calculator, clipboard history, system controls and bookmarks.
Ueli is an MIT-licensed launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux built on Electron, with unsigned macOS downloads.
Quicksilver
An open-source macOS launcher that opens apps and files and acts on them from the keyboard.
Ueli is free and open source under MIT, works on Windows, macOS and Linux, but is Electron-based and its macOS download is unsigned.
Sol
An open-source launcher and command palette for macOS, similar in approach to Raycast.
Ueli is free and open source under MIT on Windows, macOS and Linux, but is Electron-based and its macOS download is unsigned.
Vicinae
A native, extensible keyboard-driven launcher for Linux desktops, inspired by Raycast.
Ueli is an MIT-licensed Electron launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux, using more memory than a native launcher and offering fewer plugins.
WinLaunch
An open-source Windows launcher that shows your apps in a full-screen grid like the macOS Launchpad.
Ueli is an MIT-licensed keystroke launcher that also runs on macOS and Linux, trading the icon grid for keyboard search.
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.
Script Kit
A cross-platform desktop app for writing and launching JavaScript and TypeScript scripts from a prompt.
