Compare software

Search Light vs rofi: catalog facts
Search Light	rofi
Best for: GNOME users who want a Spotlight-style search box	Best for: Tiling window manager users who need a fast keyboard launcher and menu
Free Free and open source.	Free Free and open source.
Linux	Linux
Spotlight-style popup without leaving the current workspace Uses GNOME's built-in search All 3 strengths for Search Light Spotlight-style popup without leaving the current workspace Uses GNOME's built-in search Configurable through a preferences dialog	Launcher, window switcher and dmenu replacement in one tool Scriptable menu for your own shell scripts All 3 strengths for rofi Launcher, window switcher and dmenu replacement in one tool Scriptable menu for your own shell scripts Theming support and text-file configuration
Only works on GNOME Shell GNOME extensions can break with new GNOME releases	Configuration and theming take some effort Linux and Unix-like desktops only
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License not stated	License: MIT
No account needed	No account needed
Offline features available	Offline features available
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Search Light github.com/icedman/search-light Catalog checked September 24, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for rofi github.com/davatorium/rofi Catalog checked September 23, 2026

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