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COSMIC Launcher vs Slingshot: catalog facts
COSMIC Launcher	Slingshot
Best for: COSMIC desktop users who launch apps from the keyboard	Best for: elementary OS and Pantheon desktop users
Free Free and open source as part of the COSMIC desktop.	Free Free and included with elementary OS.
Linux	Linux
Integrated with the COSMIC desktop Keyboard-first search for apps and commands All 3 strengths for COSMIC Launcher Integrated with the COSMIC desktop Keyboard-first search for apps and commands Actively developed and widely translated	Integrated with the Pantheon panel and desktop Type-to-search for installed applications All 3 strengths for Slingshot Integrated with the Pantheon panel and desktop Type-to-search for installed applications Ships by default on elementary OS
Designed for COSMIC, not other desktops Linux only	Designed for Pantheon and not meant for other desktops
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Not open source
License not stated	License not stated
No account needed	No account needed
Offline features available	Offline features available
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for COSMIC Launcher github.com/pop-os/cosmic-launcher Catalog checked October 2, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Slingshot github.com/elementary/applications-menu Catalog checked October 2, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.