Wox
A fully native keyboard launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux, with GPU rendering and a plugin system, as an open Raycast alternative.
These buttons open the developer's own site, repository or store listing in a new tab. wares.gg does not host downloads.
3 more ways to get Wox
Other download sites
Run by third parties, not by Wox-launcher (community project). Prefer the official page above when it works.
Package managers
- Chocolatey
choco install wox - Homebrew
brew install --cask wox
About Wox
Wox is a launcher: one keystroke brings up an input box, and you type to find and open applications, files, web searches or plugin actions without touching the mouse. What distinguishes it from the crowd is that it is fully native with GPU rendering on all three platforms, not an Electron window pretending.
That shows in the resource use: the project states everyday use stays around 150 MB of memory, which is low enough to leave resident all day. It positions itself explicitly as an open-source Raycast and Alfred alternative.
Plugins can be written in Node.js, Python or as scripts, with a store for browsing what exists, and the built-in features cover the common cases before you add anything.
Strengths
- Fully native with GPU rendering on Windows, macOS and Linux, not Electron
- Around 150 MB of memory in everyday use, so it can stay resident
- Plugins in Node.js, Python or scripts, with a store to browse them
- An open-source alternative to Raycast and Alfred that works on all three platforms
Limitations
- A much smaller plugin ecosystem than Raycast or Alfred
- The version 2 rewrite is relatively young, so expect rough edges
- Deep system integrations vary by platform
- No official mobile or web companion
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree and open source under the GPL.
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Developer
- Wox-launcher (community project)
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Not required
- Works offline
- Yes
- Best suited for
- A keyboard launcher that works the same on Windows, macOS and Linux
- Categories
- App launchers
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Selected from the TechWalrus downloads catalog (Utilities); facts checked against the developer's own pages, 3 sources on file.
Alternatives to Wox
Compare allSoftware that can replace Wox for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
Ueli
A keystroke launcher that works the same on Windows, macOS and Linux, which most launchers do not.
Ueli also runs on Windows, macOS and Linux and is MIT-licensed and actively developed, but it uses Electron and has fewer plugins.
Raycast
Fast macOS launcher replacing Spotlight with clipboard history and extensions.
Raycast is macOS only and freemium, with a larger extension ecosystem plus built-in clipboard history and window management, while advanced features need a paid plan.
Alfred
macOS productivity launcher with custom workflows, clipboard history, and snippets.
Alfred is macOS only and closed source, offering custom workflows, clipboard history and snippets, with those features requiring the paid Powerpack.
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 and MIT-licensed, using the Everything index for instant file search and offering a large community plugin store.
Cerebro
Launch applications and run searches from a keyboard-driven panel.
Cerebro is a free, MIT-licensed cross-platform launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux, with plugins that depend on third-party maintenance.
Albert
Extensible keyboard launcher for Linux and macOS inspired by Alfred.
Albert is a lightweight open-source C++/Qt launcher for Linux and macOS only, with no Windows support and manual plugin configuration.
Ulauncher
Fast, extensible application launcher built for Linux desktops.
Ulauncher is free and open source but Linux only, offering a large 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 portable Windows-only launcher that is fast on old hardware, but it is closed source with no release since November 2020.
Wox as an alternative
Listings that name Wox as an alternative.
Listary
Instant file search and app launching on Windows, with a search box that appears inside file dialogs as well as on its own.
Wox is free under GPL-3.0 and runs natively on Windows, macOS and Linux, with a plugin store for Node.js, Python and script plugins.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
Kando
Circular pie menu that launches apps, runs scripts and fires keyboard shortcuts.
