Compare software

Search Light vs Walker: catalog facts
Search Light	Walker
Best for: GNOME users who want a Spotlight-style search box	Best for: Linux desktop users who want a fast, configurable multi-purpose launcher
Free Free and open source.	Free Free to download and build from the public repository.
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	Launches apps, runs commands and calculates from one prompt Native GTK4 interface All 3 strengths for Walker Launches apps, runs commands and calculates from one prompt Native GTK4 interface Frequent development activity
Only works on GNOME Shell GNOME extensions can break with new GNOME releases	Linux only Many options to configure before it fits your setup
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 Search Light github.com/icedman/search-light Catalog checked September 24, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Walker github.com/abenz1267/walker Catalog checked September 23, 2026

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