Alternatives to Walker
A customizable GTK4 application launcher for Linux that also runs commands and does calculations. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Walker
A customizable GTK4 application launcher for Linux that also runs commands and does calculations.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Walker.
rofi
A keyboard-driven window switcher, application launcher and dmenu replacement for Linux desktops.
Rofi is an MIT-licensed launcher, window switcher and dmenu replacement for Linux, configured and themed through text files, which takes some effort.
Ulauncher
Fast, extensible application launcher built for Linux desktops.
Ulauncher is an open-source Linux launcher with a large community extension ecosystem, though extension quality varies between community-maintained add-ons.
Vicinae
A native, extensible keyboard-driven launcher for Linux desktops, inspired by Raycast.
Vicinae is a native Linux launcher that brings a Raycast-style extensible workflow, but it is a newer project that is still changing quickly.
fuzzel
An application launcher and fuzzy finder for Wayland compositors, inspired by rofi and dmenu.
Fuzzel is a small open-source Wayland-only launcher and dmenu-style picker configured through text files, with no X11 support.
Anyrun
A Wayland-native runner in the style of KRunner, built around plugins and customization.
Anyrun is a Wayland-native KRunner-style runner extended with plugins, and Nvidia users may need a GSK_RENDERER workaround.
Albert
Extensible keyboard launcher for Linux and macOS inspired by Alfred.
Albert is an open-source C++/Qt keyboard launcher for Linux and macOS with a plugin architecture that needs manual configuration.
wofi
A GTK-based launcher and menu program for wlroots Wayland compositors such as Sway.
wofi is a GTK-based launcher and dmenu replacement limited to wlroots compositors, and it is not actively maintained.
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 built on pop-launcher, which must be installed for it to work.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Walker as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
bemenu
A dmenu-style dynamic menu and launcher that runs on Wayland, X11 and in a terminal.
Walker is a GTK4 Linux launcher that also runs commands and calculations, with a graphical interface and many options to configure.
centerpiece
A fast, minimal and plugin-extendable omnibox launcher for Wayland, written in Rust.
Walker is a GTK4 Linux launcher that also runs commands and calculations from one prompt, with many options to configure, and it is not open source.
dmenu
A minimal dynamic menu for X that picks from large lists of items using the keyboard.
Walker is a GTK4 Linux launcher that also runs commands and calculations, with a graphical interface and many configuration options.
Hyprlauncher
A fast, multipurpose application launcher and picker built for the Hyprland Wayland compositor.
Walker is a GTK4 launcher that also runs commands and calculations, not tied to Hyprland, though it is not open source.
Kickoff
A minimalistic fuzzy program launcher for wlroots-based Wayland compositors, written in Rust.
Walker is a GTK4 launcher that also runs commands and calculations, with many options to configure, and it is not open source.
Kupfer
A keyboard-driven, plugin-based launcher for Linux in the style of Quicksilver.
Walker is a GTK4 Linux launcher that runs apps, commands and calculations from one prompt, with frequent development but no open-source license.
Search Light
A GNOME Shell extension that adds a macOS Spotlight-style search and launch popup.
Walker is a GTK4 launcher that runs commands and calculations independently of GNOME search, but it is not open source.
sirula
A simple Rust app launcher for Wayland that starts applications from their .desktop files.
Walker is a GTK4 launcher that also runs commands and calculations, but it is not open source.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
tofi
A tiny, fast dmenu and rofi replacement for wlroots-based Wayland compositors.
nwg-drawer
A searchable full-screen application drawer for sway, Hyprland and other wlroots Wayland compositors.
j4-dmenu-desktop
A fast desktop-entry launcher that feeds installed applications into dmenu or a compatible menu.
