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Slingshot vs ArcMenu: catalog facts
Slingshot	ArcMenu
Best for: elementary OS and Pantheon desktop users	Best for: GNOME users who want a classic application menu instead of the activities overview
Free Free and included with elementary OS.	Free Free and open source under the GPL version 2 or later.
Linux	Linux
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	Brings a traditional searchable start menu to GNOME Customizable menu layout All 3 strengths for ArcMenu Brings a traditional searchable start menu to GNOME Customizable menu layout Open source and published as releases on GitLab
Designed for Pantheon and not meant for other desktops	Only works inside GNOME Shell GNOME extensions can need updates after major GNOME releases
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Not open source	Open source
License not stated	License: GPL-2.0-or-later
No account needed	No account needed
Offline features available	Offline features available
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Slingshot github.com/elementary/applications-menu Catalog checked October 2, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for ArcMenu gitlab.com/arcmenu/ArcMenu Catalog checked October 2, 2026

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